Around the World in 43 Days! 2007-2008

15th December
This time we went into the real Universal Studios (as opposed to the Adventure Island funpark of Universal Studios). It didn't disappoint - we were thrown around in a hurricane (the movie set of Twister), were entertained by the Blues Brothers, went on the Mummy ride, screamed when Jaws popped out of the water beside our boat and watched a very loud rock concert played by dead people! (Beetlejuice, Frankenstein, Dracula and Frankenstein's Wife). It was so much fun!


Then we got huge icecreams and ate them while watching a live Fear Factor show with heaps of dangerous stunts being performed right in front of our eyes. We also went on other rides like Men In Black and Terminator 2. Then we finished at Universal for the day after meeting Bart and Lisa Simpson, and WENT SHOPPING! (much to Bethany & Sue's delight... and Richard and Ben's dismay :P) Playing Disney Mini-Golf that night tied the day off nicely with funny courses, interesting golf techniques and lots of fun!

17th December
This day was literally "totally out of this world"! We spent most of the day at the famous Kennedy Space Centre looking at real space shuttles and learning all about NASA's space program. It was really interesting! We learned so much about space. Firstly, we checked out the Astronaught's Hall of Fame where Ben and Bethany went on a G-Force Simulator that spun round and round at 4G. We saw lots of Alligators on our bus tour, saw the REAL Atlantis Space Shuttle on it's loading dock in the distance, saw the huge building where they build the rockets, touched a moonrock from space, saw lots of videos about previous space missions and experienced a REAL shuttle launch (so now we know what it feels like to journey in a rocket up to space!).



Benj wanted this one in for Grandad Schuster - thought he might like to work on it!!
That afternoon we left the space centre to go on an Airboat Ride on the St. Marks Northbound River. We saw heaps of wildlife like alligators, eagles and cows and the country scenery in the afternoon sun was SO BEAUTIFUL! It was a cold day in Orlando today, but that was handy because it got us ready for the coldness of NY. We had dinner in a typical American country Diner, which was exciting because it was like the ones you see in all the movies. We ate fried shrimp, fried alligator and hushpuppies! (very american- we are always trying new things!) A great way to end our stay in Orlando, Florida. Next we fly to the Big Apple!