Wednesday, August 13, 2008, Departure Day

We had a normal morning up until it was time to bring Duncan to Bonnie’s.  Then we packed the van and off we went – 8:50 AM.  It was a nice drive taking about 1 ½ hours.  The Grand Suites of Tampa was able to check us in right away – unfortunately the room was in a construction area.  There is refurbishment going on everywhere you look and the room they gave us is right in an area of work.  We moved in anyhow and then immediately caught the hotel supplied shuttle to Busch Gardens, about a mile away.

The entrance was very busy and we were a little disoriented at first.  We found our way to the Nairobi Train Station and then stood in the crowd for about 20 minutes.  We then didn’t quite make it onto the train, it was full before we could be boarded.  Another 20 minutes.  We passed the time chatting with a couple from Edinborough, Scotland.  The train ride was worth the wait with lots of great views of "The Serengeti Plain."  Next, we headed for the Desert Grill.  A pretty good cafeteria style lunch.  We headed for Jungala next.  Great tiger display.  We are having trouble navigating – we haven’t learned how to read the map yet.

As we roamed around, there was always a roller coaster in sight.  We didn’t ride any, but they are fascinating to watch.  There are at least 5 roller coasters and two water rides.

We got hot and tired so made our way to the exit.  Called the Hotel for the shuttle and he (Blanchard) was there to get us in 10 minutes.

When we got to our room, they were spray painting a rail outside and it was really smelly.  Called the desk and Tara gave us another room away from all that paint – 302. 

We moved, cooled off and rested up.  Went next door to McAlister’s for a deli dinner.  It was very good.  Back to 302 for the evening.

Thursday, August 14, 2008 – What to do?

I slept right to 6 AM.  These suites are two rooms and I was able into come in the living room and putter around without bothering Linda’s beauty rest.  Coffee machine coffee and we were trying to decide what to do with a 70% chance of rain.

We decided to brave the rain and go into The Park.  Got in the van with Blanchard driving at 9 AM.  Small crowd.  We went and looking for The Moroccan Palace Theater.  We found it and then took a walk through the Myombe Preserve.  Excellent view of chimpanzees and gorillas. Back to The Theater to wait found the doors to open.  While we waited, there was a windy, rainy downpour for about 10 minutes.  The doors finally opened and we saw the 40 minute Katonga show.  An excellent show.

The rain had quit so we found our way over to the Clydesdales.  Then to The Crown Colony for lunch. They have a cafetria style restaurant on the first floor and a sit down restaurant on the second floor.  That's where we went.   A beautiful place with a great view of The Serengeti.  We will try to come back. 

With that, we called Blanchard and he picked us up for the ride home (room 302).  We R&R’d until 2 PM when Blanchard shuttled us to the University Mall.  It’s a large, busy Mall with lots of stores.  We wandered around and saw them all.  We then decided to have a Dairy Queen for dinner.

Blanchard picked us up and we shuttled back to 302.  It has rained Florida showers occasionally all day.

We settled in and watched The Bucket List.  We decided on an evening of TV.

Friday, August 15, 2008 – More rain

Up and at’em at 6 AM after a good nights sleep.  The weather report shows more rain during the afternoon.

Off we went to The Park at 9 o’clock.  We started in Egypt and walked through the Edge of Africa.  This is excellent.  A great way to get up close to wild critters.  Next we went on the Skyride.  This was a great way to get an overview of the whole place.  Next – off to find The Timbuktu Theater to find out when they had shows.  There were black clouds coming our way and they announced shutting down the Skyride and roller coasters.  So – they let us into the theater for the next show – at 11.  Great.  The show, in 3D, is “The Pirates.”  Very funny show with special effects.  When we came out of the theater the black cloud had moved off leaving overcast skies.  We headed over to Jungala and then headed out.  Called  Blanchard and he came and collected us.  Went to McAlister’s and ordered some deli sandwiches to go.  Brought them to our room and had lunch.  R&R’d for a while and then back to Busch Gardens.

We first headed for the Marakesh Theater, wandering through a couple of shops on the way.  We got there in plenty of time and soon the Rock A Doo Wop group appeared.  They were absolutely great.  They were dressed nice, danced perfectly and sang many of the oldies but goodies.  It’s the kind of show you don’t want to end.  Next, we headed off to Timbuktu to see a show there at the Timbuktu stage.  We waited ½ hour for a 5 minute show.  Then we headed for the Crown Colony for dinner – it was closed.  UGH.  So we went back towards the gate with a detour to go through the Myombe Preserve again.  Then we saw the ice cream shop and being hungry, we had ice creams for supper. 

Called the Hotel and soon the car was there to pick us up.  Back to 302 for the evening.

Saturday, August 16, 2008, Going Home

Woke early and got up at 4:30 AM.  Played with the computer and the hotel network.  It’s fairly quick sometimes and impossibly slow other times.  No solution to the slow times.

Linda up about 7:15.  We started packing.  Took a break and went next door to The Village Inn for a breakfast of bacon, eggs and pancakes.  Back to 302 for the last time.  Finished packing and was on our way home at 9.

Home at 10:30 and picked up Duncan and the mail

Here's some pictures of a few of the animals we saw.

The end of another great trip.