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06/09/10
In the morning we spent our time wondering around the city exploring the different buildings and architecture that Chicago has to offer. We then met some people from the hostel and headed to the beach for another day of relaxing in the sun this time with plenty of sun protection on. We spent the afternoon chatting and lying on the beach before heading for a bite to eat and watch some of the tennis (on the T.V sadly not in person). After the tennis had finished we went up the John Hancock Tower to the observatory and lounge to have a wee drink and view the city from above at night. The view was spectacular taking in the whole of the city from the Big Ferris Wheel on Navy Pier to the Sears Tower. We even managed to sneak a peek at some of the apartment buildings that had swimming pools on their roofs very nice indeed. Sadly it was back to the hostel for us after this only to dream of staying somewhere as nice as those apartment buildings.
07/09/10
We spent the majority of the day at the Field Museum, this museum is all about life and natural history and it houses the largest complete skeletal remains of a Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex) called Sue. The museum was really interesting because it had so many different exhibits from Gems and gold, dinosaur remains and fossils, bugs and insects, African animals, birds and many other types of creatures. We looked at the different gem stones first and how fantastic they looked and the information told us all about where they had come from and how they had been made by nature. Kirsty and I were amazed when we walked through the dinosaur exhibit at the variety of dinosaurs and how they all looked so different and behaved in different ways. We then looked at all the various bugs and insects that are in the world. Some of them looked very strange and scary, there were huge spiders and beetles need I say more. After this we went to the Imax theater to learn all about Sue (T-rex) and her life and how she was discovered by fossil hunteres. It was really interesting to find out all about her and the fact it was in 3D made it more exciting. Finally before we left the museum we went through the aminals and birds exhibit, this was good because it allowed us to look at animals that are now extinct or animals we might never get to see out in the wild. There were so many different types of birds that I had never even heard of never mind seen. After the museum we took a walk round Millenium park which is right in the centre of Chicago and it has lots of sculptures and pieces of art littered throughout it. One of the main pieces is called "The Bean" as you will see from the picture it looks like a massive coffee or kidney bean we couldnt decide. It was fantastic because we could see the Chicago sky line in the reflection of its shiney metal coating which acted like a mirror when the sunlight hit it.
08/09/10
This was our final full day in Chicago and what better way to spend the day other than having a relaxing walk along the navy pier and ending up on "the beach" with our friends Jerry and Chico. After spending the day chillaxing we went back to the Navy Pier at night to get a bite to eat and enjoy the different entertainment that would be on offer. Sadly we had mis-timed our visit as it was two days after summer was officially over in Chicago and everything except the restaurants closed early :(. However we did find Bubba Gumps Shrip Company open and we couldn't resist going in and having some food. The whole place was decked out in Forrest Gump memoribilia and they even had the movie showing on big screens in the restaurant so that was cool. We had to have the shrimp which was very tasty.
09/09/10
Today we travelled from Chicago to Orlando but before we left Chicago we got one last sight and it was a funny but wierd sight. It was a piece of modern art just at the subway enterance a huge eyeball just standing alone in the street it was pretty wierd indeed. Once we arrived in Orlando we had to pick up our hire car and drive to the hostel. After a couple of near misses on the initial part of the driving we made it to the hostel in one piece thankfully. we dumped our stuff and went for dinner at TGI's which was mega tasty. Then an early bed in anticipation of hitting Universal in the morning woohoo!!!!
10/09/2010
Universal Islands of Adventure today and it was so much fun. We went on all the big rides which were amazing from the Hulk rollercoaster, Spiderman ride, Jurrasic Park, River Adventure, Hogsmeade, Harry Potter and Hogwarts Castle which was really cool because it looks like the real thing. We drank some Butter Beer as we walked through Hogsmeade looking at all the different shops like Olivanders and HoneyDukes. As we were walking through there were different shows going on. For example the Singing frogs and we saw performances from the girls of Beauxbatons school and the boys of Durmstrang. The last thing wee looked at before leaving the Harry Potter section of the park was the Hogwarts Express, this whole section is really amazing especially if your a big Harry Potter fan. We then trecked through the Lost Continent where there was a talking fountain that just made fun of people as they passed, or got kids to come really close to the fountain then soaked them with water lol. We then found ourselves in Seuss Landing where we met cat in the hat and the grinch, Kirsty and I were almost pushing the little kids out the way to get our pictures taken with them. We also were in Toon Lagoon where we got to meet stars like Betty Boop, Popeye and Olive. There were also many funny signs that looked like speach bubbles, and if you stood underneath them you looked like you were in a cartoon. Just before we left we got to meet spiderman and some of the characters from x-men.
At night we decided to go back to Universal but visit the City Walk, which is full of resteraunts, shops, bars and clubs. We had some dinner at the Nascar resteraunt which is a sports place where you can watch all types of sports at your table. We then went to the Rising Star Karaoke bar which is the best place we have ever seen if you want to sing karaoke. They have a full band, backing singers, lights and a guy that gets the crowd excited before you take to the stage. Everybody who was watching were really responsive to the people singing, giving them big cheers and plenty of encouragement when they were on stage, it was really nice to see. After this it was home time before Aqautica water park tomorrow.
11/09/2010
Today we went to Aquatica water park and it was a fantastic day to go, as the sun was shining and it was very hot. The park has lots of different slides, tyre rides and river rapids,which we went on them all. However there was one particular slide that Kirsty had been boasting about for the last few days. She was saying how fast she was on it, and how she used to race her brother Colin down it when they were younger, and how she used never want to turn away from a challenge. So After the first race I won, Kirsty won the second , so it was all down to the third and final race. With a mighty push at the top we both set off down the slide and as we came out the slide just before the big drop into the water below I was in front and champion of the slide for the day woohoo !!!!!!! Kirsty was not a happy bunny and didn't speak to me for the whole car journey home. (I think Chris cheated and started the race before the lifeguard said GO! He knew the only way he could beat me was to cheat!! :)
12/09/2010
We went to Sea World today as it was included in the price of the park tickets we had bought. They have tried to attract more visitors to the centre by adding two big rollercoasters called Manta and Kraken. Manta is the type of rollercoaster where you face downwards for the entire journey. It was very cool but scary at times as we thought we were going to hit the rocks or the ground below. We got to see all the wildlife like puffins and penguins, tropical fish, unusual frogs, underwater shark tunnel, stingrays and giant turtles. Sea World also put on different shows involving the animals. The sea lion and sea otter show was really funny because so many things kept going wrong with either the props of the animals themselves. The Dolphin show with flying acrobats and diving stunts was very cool because there was so much going on. There were people flying through the air on wires, people were diving into the pool performing sommersaults and twists on the way down, and the Dolphins were amazing with there flips and tricks in and out of the water. We also got to meet Mr Sharky which is Sea Worlds mascot. The last thing we did before leaving was watch the Shamu show named Believe. This show involves Killer Whales performing different stunts and tricks with their trainers. The show was really good even if it was a bit cheesy and the stunts were brilliant especially the ones that involved the whales soaking the people in the crowd ha ha.
13/09/2010
Today we went to Universal Studios. We were super excited as this is a park with lots of 'classic' rides! As soon as we entered the park we met Scooby doo and Shaggy. We ran over and pushed all the small children out of the way so we could get our picture taken with them. The park had a new rollercpaster called 'RockIt'. This was one of the coolest roller coasters I have ever been on. You sat in a chair with only a strap over your waist and you got to pick which type of music you wanted to listen to. Everyone got to pick their own song as their were speakers on the back of each chair. The coaster climbed up a 90 degree angle, and took a plunge at the top. It was very scary as you didnt feel like you were securly strapped in!! It twisted and turned before taking another plummit! After coming off the coaster you could see your picture AND you could also watch a video of what you looked like through the whole ride! This was hilarious! We walked further into the park and saw the Blues Brothers perform. We were both shaking our tail feathers!! :) We then watched Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue featuring characters like Beetlejuice, Frankenstein, Frankensteins wife, Dracula, Werewolf and we even managed to grap a quick kodak moment with all of them. There were loads of other fun rides that included Jaws, Men in Black Alien Attack, The Simpsons ride, E.T. ride, and Twister. We met woody woodpecker and Mrs woody woodpecker, and characters from Madagascar.
After our busy day at Universal, it was time for Chilis. This is a famous resteraunt chain and very yummy! We then made our way to Downtown Disney. This is a shopping district where you can pick up ANY type of Disney souvenier that you could ever imagine! There is a really cool Lego store and they have actually made a replica of the loch ness monster!
14/09/2010
Today we drove to Busch Gardens in Tampa. It was about an hour and a half in the car to get there. This is a safari based theme park which specialises in the biggest, fastest and scariest rollercoasters. These were called Gwazi, Sheikra, Kumba, and Montu. We went on water rides where not one part of us remained dry and chris's trainers were squelching for the rest of the day! :) We saw a show called 'Dance to the Music', dedicated to 70smusic. We were bopping our little socks off. We saw elephants feeding and learned about their habitat and that elephants are also partial to popcorn, churros and pretzels from time to time! We rode a train through a safari where we saw many animals including giraffes, osteriches, zebra, crocodiles, kangaroos. We had a great time here and headed for home as we were both pretty tired!
15/09/2010
Today we ventured again to Aquatica. This is such a great water park but Chris kept going on and on about wanting to beat me on the water rides! Lets just say it was quite a sight to see a grown man cry after I beat him so many times!! And thats all I'll say about that!!! I think Kirsty must have been dreaming because she was like a slow thing on its slowest day going down those slides. As chris was so upset, we headed to Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Chris was so upset he ordered 12!!! And I now have to breathe in even more when trying to button my shorts! oh dear! We went to another fantastic resteraunt called Bahama Breeze. It feelslike you are in the bahamas with people playing the steel drums and palmtrees and the waiter had on a crazy Hawaiin shirt! (Chris said it remided him of a shirt his dad owned!)
16/09/2010
It was our last day in Orlando! Very sad times but we had one last chance to spend the day in Universal so we went to Islands of Adventure. We get to the gate and our cards dont work!! Oh no! they wouldnt let us in! We eventualy get it sorted out and guest services apologised prefusiously for this mishap and gave us free tickets to the express lines (which meant we got to skip the queues...woohoo!) We had an awesome morning, and we also met Dora the explorer! But it was time to leave and after a few brief tears (again from Chris - he is so embarressing!!) we spent the afternoon driving 260 miles towards Miami.
17/09/2010
As we still had the hire car we decided to drive to Key West. This was another 4 hour drive but was so worth it! We saw an unbelievable amount of bikers on harleys cruising down the Interstate 1 through the Upper Keys towards Key West (which is also the most southerpoint of the USA!) We spent a nice afternoon by the beach and took a walk along the board walk at night. We ordered some Conch fritters (conch is a type of fish very famous in the keys) and watched the sunset! It was so beautiful and there was so many boats passing by, so instead of people watching it was boat watching! There was loads of fire eating, juggling and dancing street performers! After a nice night we headed back on the long drive home to Miami Beach. (Key West is one of the most awesome places we have been, they call it 'paradise island!')
18/09/2010 -
Today we dropped the hire car off and chilled on the beach.
We have been SO busy since starting this trip, that its nice that we can hang out in Miami for 14 days and chillax. The beach here is fantastic and the boardwalk runs for miles! There is an Art Deco theme that started here in the 1920's so the buildings are very interesting and light up at night in all different colours. We plan for the next fortnight to take it easy, watch a bit of tv and some movies in the hostels movie theatre, go out running, and catch up on reading books and digest everything that has happened so far (and also to catch up on writing the blog!) and plan the next part of our journey. Its sooooo sunny and hot here and hear a romour it was raining back in Scotland ....and on that note its time to go pack a bag for the beach!
Until next time....
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