Now for a very quiet visit to Busch Gardens
..
TUESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2002 PART 15
As we always use the gwazi express which comes free with the 5day flex ticket (it gives Dave a day of from driving) we decided to have breakfast in the hotel. It worked out twice as expensive compared to the Ponde or GC, but is was hot and plentiful and saved worrying about getting back for the bus in time. We had booked the bus over the telephone booking system which was a very easy and straightforward procedure. Luckily the four points (la quinta now) is one of the designated pick up points which was really handy. We had instructions to be at the bus stop at 9.30 for a 9.40 pick up time. The bus was bang on time with a very courteous driver and we were the last stop but the bus was only about half full. After about an hours pleasant journey we arrived at BG. It was now approx 10.50 and the carpark looked very empty with about 15 busses in the bus parking bit. We were told to be back for 18.00 prompt and to remember to pick up our free travel voucher from guest services to give to the driver or we would have to pay the $5 travel fee. This was done very easily and smoothly at guest services with no problems at all. On into the park. Even at the entrance there were very few people around. We had a quick nosey around the shops and then made our way to the train station. We always like to do a circuit of the park before getting stuck in. Again when the train arrived we could choose where to sit as it was only about half full. After the train ride David started his tour of the roller coasters. The river ride was shut so no go there. We didnt fancy the rhino valley but we fancied something to eat, but as we were towards the back of the park at this time it turned out that 99% of the food stands were closed. We had realised by this time that people were very far and few around the park. David finished the coasters at the top end of the park. We then strolled over to the tigers and were luckily enough to see them being fed and we were then treated to one of the tigers having a swim and floating in the water. He is a show off according to the trainers and has worked out that by swimming around he gets a lot of attention. We spent a fair bit of time tiger watching and then strolled down through the bird section. Again very few people around and even in the childrens play section it was very quiet. Dave then found the new wooden rollercoaster that was being built the last time we were here, so off he went for a ride or two as it turned out, there was no queue surprise! Boy does that rattle as it is going along. He said although there are no loops etc being wooden it is quite spooky to ride. By this time we were pretty hungry so we made our way back to the front of the park and had a snack and a cake in the bakery which as usual very fresh and very tasty. We then watched the alligators being fed and very got very close up to the fences so got some good photos. Then we went on a return ride on the sky thingy. I dont like this but like the views over the park so grin and bear it.
We then made our way to the ice show, this was the busiest we had seen it all day and the theatre was about ¾ full. A very good show and a must see in our opinion.
Show over we went to Daves last rollercoaster of the day. He always saves the best for last, the Montu. He had several rides on this as again no queue whilst I spent some time looking around the shops and petting the heavy horse foal that was on show. After riding the Montu Dave went off to get his free beer from the beer tent. We then went back to the ice cream parlour for a huge waffle cone with all the trimmings and a drink. As we had an hour left we had a good look around the shops and brought several sweatshirts, tshirts and souvenirs. I am always impressed with the shops here. They do seem to try and put in some effort to have some different items to buy from the normal run of the mill touristy stuff.
By now it was getting on for 6 so we headed back to the bus. Most of the people were on and ready to go but as usual there were 3or 4 people missing, the driver was not to impressed with them when they turned up 10 mins late and made it clear that another 5 mins he would have left without them and that some drivers would not be prepared to wait. A very smooth journery back to the hotel arriving as about 7.45 due to some heavy traffic. We tipped the driver as we got off the bus and he thanked us and wished us a happy vacation.
We had some burger and fries in the hotel restaurant and picked up some goodies from the deli. Hot bath, watched some tv and then off to bed.
THOUGHTS.
Weather today was about 75 with cool breeze and again turned a lot cooler after sundown. Although it was nice to be able to get on the rides with no wait at all the very lack of people in the park left a very flat feeling atmosphere wise. I have never seen a park so quiet and there were times where we didnt see anyone else for a couple of mins here and there, it was very spooky.
Before leaving this morning I phoned the cattery to check on the moggy four as they have never been away for more that 2 weeks before. My tom cat was on the defensive and didnt want stroking, he is a big mummies boy though but the other three were fine and very were eating okay. Mind put at rest.
Tomorrow one of my favourite parks Universal ..and that long walk
TUESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER 2002 PART 15
As we always use the gwazi express which comes free with the 5day flex ticket (it gives Dave a day of from driving) we decided to have breakfast in the hotel. It worked out twice as expensive compared to the Ponde or GC, but is was hot and plentiful and saved worrying about getting back for the bus in time. We had booked the bus over the telephone booking system which was a very easy and straightforward procedure. Luckily the four points (la quinta now) is one of the designated pick up points which was really handy. We had instructions to be at the bus stop at 9.30 for a 9.40 pick up time. The bus was bang on time with a very courteous driver and we were the last stop but the bus was only about half full. After about an hours pleasant journey we arrived at BG. It was now approx 10.50 and the carpark looked very empty with about 15 busses in the bus parking bit. We were told to be back for 18.00 prompt and to remember to pick up our free travel voucher from guest services to give to the driver or we would have to pay the $5 travel fee. This was done very easily and smoothly at guest services with no problems at all. On into the park. Even at the entrance there were very few people around. We had a quick nosey around the shops and then made our way to the train station. We always like to do a circuit of the park before getting stuck in. Again when the train arrived we could choose where to sit as it was only about half full. After the train ride David started his tour of the roller coasters. The river ride was shut so no go there. We didnt fancy the rhino valley but we fancied something to eat, but as we were towards the back of the park at this time it turned out that 99% of the food stands were closed. We had realised by this time that people were very far and few around the park. David finished the coasters at the top end of the park. We then strolled over to the tigers and were luckily enough to see them being fed and we were then treated to one of the tigers having a swim and floating in the water. He is a show off according to the trainers and has worked out that by swimming around he gets a lot of attention. We spent a fair bit of time tiger watching and then strolled down through the bird section. Again very few people around and even in the childrens play section it was very quiet. Dave then found the new wooden rollercoaster that was being built the last time we were here, so off he went for a ride or two as it turned out, there was no queue surprise! Boy does that rattle as it is going along. He said although there are no loops etc being wooden it is quite spooky to ride. By this time we were pretty hungry so we made our way back to the front of the park and had a snack and a cake in the bakery which as usual very fresh and very tasty. We then watched the alligators being fed and very got very close up to the fences so got some good photos. Then we went on a return ride on the sky thingy. I dont like this but like the views over the park so grin and bear it.
We then made our way to the ice show, this was the busiest we had seen it all day and the theatre was about ¾ full. A very good show and a must see in our opinion.
Show over we went to Daves last rollercoaster of the day. He always saves the best for last, the Montu. He had several rides on this as again no queue whilst I spent some time looking around the shops and petting the heavy horse foal that was on show. After riding the Montu Dave went off to get his free beer from the beer tent. We then went back to the ice cream parlour for a huge waffle cone with all the trimmings and a drink. As we had an hour left we had a good look around the shops and brought several sweatshirts, tshirts and souvenirs. I am always impressed with the shops here. They do seem to try and put in some effort to have some different items to buy from the normal run of the mill touristy stuff.
By now it was getting on for 6 so we headed back to the bus. Most of the people were on and ready to go but as usual there were 3or 4 people missing, the driver was not to impressed with them when they turned up 10 mins late and made it clear that another 5 mins he would have left without them and that some drivers would not be prepared to wait. A very smooth journery back to the hotel arriving as about 7.45 due to some heavy traffic. We tipped the driver as we got off the bus and he thanked us and wished us a happy vacation.
We had some burger and fries in the hotel restaurant and picked up some goodies from the deli. Hot bath, watched some tv and then off to bed.
THOUGHTS.
Weather today was about 75 with cool breeze and again turned a lot cooler after sundown. Although it was nice to be able to get on the rides with no wait at all the very lack of people in the park left a very flat feeling atmosphere wise. I have never seen a park so quiet and there were times where we didnt see anyone else for a couple of mins here and there, it was very spooky.
Before leaving this morning I phoned the cattery to check on the moggy four as they have never been away for more that 2 weeks before. My tom cat was on the defensive and didnt want stroking, he is a big mummies boy though but the other three were fine and very were eating okay. Mind put at rest.
Tomorrow one of my favourite parks Universal ..and that long walk
We have never tried Busch - maybe one day....
