Back to the Wild - American Style

Black Friday

Some of us managed to avoid the sales and some didn't ...

Sal, Paula, Jessica and me set off bright and early for Busch Gardens.  For those not familiar with this attraction, it's a theme park built around a safari park (or maybe a safari park built around a theme park).  Anyway, lots of domesticated wild animals and a few rides thrown in.

There were plenty of amusing and interesting animals, probably the cutest were the sunbathing meerkats (double click the photo opposite and look for the two under the tree), the most amusing were the two lions getting up to unmentionable antics (no photo of that !) and the most enjoyable was Jessica getting soaked on the Congo River Rapids (only joking Jess) - she's in the blue dress with white spots on the right.

Apart from the rapids Jess also got wet on the Stanley Falls Flume and excited on the Montu ride despite having to be dragged onto by Sal (well persuaded anyway).

Anyway, a good day out in bright sunshine if not a little chilly at times (temperatures only reaching the upper 60s) and well worth the 300 mile round trip and $75 (plus taxes) each entry fee. (more photos on the web album - not the usual high standard I'm afraid as some were distance shots, some taken into the sun and others through glass - but should give an idea of what we saw)

As for Eunice and Lou it was more shopping after a walk up to Target - yet another carry on flight bag to add to her collection (why she can't collect butterflies or something which takes up less room is beyond me).

So our last evening in the villa and Lucy Iain and Steven came across to make final use of the pool with Lou and then joined by Eunice for a game of poker .

Tomorrow we hope to be on our way to Orlando by 9:30am as there is still a bit of shopping to be done (they don't lack stamina these women) before returning the car and checking onto the flight home.

If all goes well we should be arriving at Manchester around 9:50 Sunday morning.