Shopping, Airshow and Basketball

5th to 8-04-25

We were all a bit sad to disembark on Saturday 5th but keen to start our next land based adventure. We trundle our luggage off the ship, clear customs and climb aboard the shuttle to the airport where we pick up our hire car. (P:- NOT just a hire car, the largest, made in America, SUV we could hire – we didn’t opt for a mini van as it would be unAustralian to be in the USA and be UnAmerican vehicle drivers. Unfortunately it was a Ford as a Chev was our preference.) After some strategic packing we climb in and start heading towards Orlando. Barely 30 minutes later we find a Costco Warehouse so we stop for some retail therapy. We are all a bit keen to have a spend and luckily find some goodies to purchase, some of it groceries for the next few days. (P:- the Author conveniently, I believe, omitted to mention the clothing purchases that slipped into the oversized trolley, they had nothing to do with the groceries we actually needed to survive!)

As we head north we meander through some agricultural land and past some lakes, stopping by a lake for some finger food lunch. (Chicken wings and Pork ribs). We arrive at the Grove Resort and Waterpark in Orlando just after 4pm and join the line for reception. We finally hit the reception desk around 5pm only to find our room isn’t ready for another hour. Kaley asks “can we use the water park while we wait” and luckily we got a big yes, so off we go to the water and the girls are into the pools and water slides. Our room is finally ready around 6.30. I stay with the girls at the pool while the others park and unload the bags, sort the bedrooms and unpack the groceries. Around 7 the girls and I walk around the perimeter path to meet Mark who shows us up to our room. Then it’s showers, dinner and bed.

Over the next couple of days it some retail therapy for the girls, visiting the Florida Mall and various other malls and enjoying the waterpark and cocktails at our accommodation.

Philip and Mark enjoyed “Fun in the Sun”, an air show in Lakeland for a day.

M – Whilst it was unfortunately the last day of the show and the vast majority of the private planes had departed the camping area, there was still plenty to see. Lots of new prop and jets to look at, the air show started in the early afternoon and had a range of stunt displays. Mustang War Birds, F35 Fighter Jets, F16’s, F18 surveillance jets, plus small stunt planes kept us entertained until late in the afternoon when the Blue Angels put on a 30 minute display. The sounds were deafening with full afterburner low passes, high speed turns and rolls etc. it was hot but a very enjoyable day.

(P:-My type of day, fits perfectly with my age old moto :- “If it doesn’t have an engine in it you shouldn’t be doing it” and “Horsepower = Happiness”! The vibrations, sounds and precision flying made a great day for this guy).

Our last night in Orlando we head into Kia Stadium to watch Orlando Magic verse Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. What a great night. The junior Dobsons (2 generations) dressed themselves in appropriate gear ready to support the home team. We head to our designated car park and through security, check out the concession stands before finding our seats in the nosebleed (high altitude) section of the stadium. We have great seats and although high above the court we have great visibility. It’s a great game and close till the end. 112 to 119 with Orlando taking the win.

The stadium holds 18500 and was about 80% full. (P:-not really into sports without engines but it is great to experience High end sports and how they run! One of the players there tonight is on a salary of over 12 million USDollars a year! )