We woke to absolutely perfect weather for a day at an amusement park. It was cooler, partly cloudy skies and most of the humidity washed out of the air by yesterdays rain. While we started off with light jackets, by noonish we were taking them off and enjoying a lovely breeze and sun.
Our bus dropped us off at Busch Gardens shortly after 9:00 this morning - early enough that we could stroll to the entrance, get a map and study on it for a bit before honoring the flag and our country with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner before the gates opened at 9:30 and we could head in for a day of fun.
Since roller coaster rides and other such amusement park rides were not on our agenda there most certainly was no need to race. In fact, we strolled by several of the animal exhibits and enjoyed the antics of the animals who were also enjoying the cool early morning air. Our first goal was to go on the steam train ride but that was not till 10:00 so there was time to stroll and just enjoy the sites.
We had the fun of watching a couple of the animal keepers feed the lions by making "snowballs" out of hamburger and tossing them to the lions who jumped up to grab them and eat, check out the huge tortoises, laugh at the hyena that simply paced and paced, watch the gazelles bounce about, take views of a few of the birds that are free to fly about since they aren't on exhibit -- like egrets, ibis and other such locals.
The train itself took us through the "plains" where we could see many of the African animals quite close up -- no fences between us. The tall giraffes really captivated us since they got so very close to us.
After our train ride we decided to check out the Animal Care Center since we saw several people going inside. How glad we were. We actually got to observe an entire operation on a pelicans neck to remove a fish hook that had been there a while and was casing the wild bird great distress. A large TV screen held 2 x-ray views of the neck
Meanwhile we watched the vet and nurse prepare the pelican completely drapping it on the operating table and putting all the coverings on so that only the area to be surgically opened was left open for viewing.
We had been told it would be best to find a spot to eat by about 11:30 so as to not have to fight the crowds so we then chose to check out the Dragon Fire Grill and enjoy our meal (we were given a meal voucher when we got off the bus) and watch the dance show on the huge stage in front of all the long tables. Dave and Donna Rumrill were already there along with one of the other couples in our group so we joined them.
From there we headed back toward the front of the park to the Moroccan Palace to see the ice show, Iceploration. Fantastic costumes giving the skaters the look of various animals from different parts of the world both in the jungles, under water, and at the poles provided another 30 minute show.
We had to wait in line for quite awhile but finally got on a gondola for the areial ride across the park for a great overhead view of the park and the animals other attractions throughout it.
We attempted to get into another program but the long line held more people than the stands could hold and we were too far back to get in. So we simply walked about enjoying the scenery,
By that time we could climb on the waiting bus and return to LazyDays where I enjoyed some quiet time on a chair by the pool where I read and then spent time chatting with Dan and Patti Johnson while waiting for our catered meal inside.
Following dinner that we shared with the Rumrills, Johnsons, and Maas's there was an information meeting about the cruise. Several people have never been on a cruise so there were many questions to be answered before we could leave and head for home to pack for tomorrow.
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