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Leg 4 - Florida
leg_4__florida.pdf | |
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Day 18 - Thursday 6 January 2000
The flight to Tampa and Fort Lauderdale was uneventful, however while on the ground at Tampa I went into the cockpit to have a chat with Captain Brooke, a young man with 3 years at Southwest and about 10 years commercial flying in total. Brooke said he would never build or fly an aircraft he built as he wouldn’t trust himself.
We picked up 2 hours on our way and after using the courtesy phone at the airport we were picked up by the shuttle and taken to Inter American Car Rental to collect our Chevrolet Cavalier (TXI-51E).
Day 19 - Friday 7 January 2000
As our shuttle bus drove us to the time share presentation at the Radisson Palm Beach Shores Resort and Vacation Villas (part of our package deal) I couldn’t get over how much alike it is with the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. We found some common names like Gold Coast on buildings, schools, churches, the Sunshine Plaza shopping centre and the Sands Hotel. Even the types of trees remind us we are in a sub-tropical environment.
Part of the timeshare involves access to a game fishing vessel with timeshare owners having to pay the running costs, but the boat and crew are available for 1 hour to 3 days at a time. They said the boat which is old and showing its age was worth $1m USD and needs a complete refit. Back home it would only be worth around $250,000 AUD given the stock at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast.
Day 20 - Saturday 8 January 2000
The drive from our hotel in Fort Lauderdale to Cape Canaveral to join the SS Dolphin IV was very pleasant. Driving along the highway at 70mph (112.65kmph) along the I95, a 6 lane (3 each way) with rest stops every 50 miles or so is much better than our highways back home. The rest stops are huge, around 12 undercover sitting tables, clean toilets, vending machines and 24 hour on-site security and management. This is something Australia could learn from and build along our major highways.
While the S.S. Dolphin IV is an old ship (6 decks, 294 cabins, 718 passengers), the crew and service is excellent (much better than back in the Navy). Back to our cabin to hang up clothing, coats and put other stuff away in draws to find our bed had been turned down and a chocolate on the pillow, ice buck and fresh water as well.
Day 21 - Sunday 9 January 2000
Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean on calm seas was breathtaking as our ship the Dolphin IV gently glided through the waters down past the islands and mainland toward Freeport on Grand Bahama of the northwest Bahamas Island only 70 miles off the coast of Florida.
Lunch was as Taino Beach followed by a swim in the Atlantic Ocean and while the water was rather cool I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. This beach has nets all around to stop the kelp from washing in and spoiling the beautiful white sand beach and crystal clear water. After a relax in the hammock under the coconut palm tree it was time to shower and get dressed for the return trip back to the ship.
Day 22 - Monday 10 January 2000
The Kennedy Space Centre was built in an environmental park with alligators, eagles, wild animals and waterways everywhere and are looked after while people must take care at all times. We purchased a ‘Standard Access Badge’ and although they say to allow about 3 hours, we arrived at 9:45am and didn’t leave until 4:30pm it was so interesting.
Experience a day of fun, a lifetime of inspiration at Kennedy Space Center. Walk among towering rockets, tour behind the scenes and get vertical on the Shuttle Launch Experience.
Experience a day of fun, a lifetime of inspiration at Kennedy Space Center. Walk among towering rockets, tour behind the scenes and get vertical on the Shuttle Launch Experience.
Day 23 - Tuesday 11 January 2000
Orlando is nicknamed "The City Beautiful" and its symbol is the fountain at Lake Eola. Prior to being known by its current name, Orlando was known as Jernigan.
The previous night I had tried to contact Steve at American Affordable Aircraft at 210 Cessna Bldv. In Daytona Beach but the number I had was diverted to a 1800 number and the operator reported they were having problems with the telephones all day. The ‘Vision’ 2 seater composite fibre ultralight is one aircraft I would have really liked to see and fly.
As we had only taken one large suite case abroad the Dolphin IV for our cruise we had to repack and are now starting to realise we need another suite case so we can fit everything in even though we haven’t really bought many items along the way. With everything sorted out its time for bed and the next leg on our journey to visit Chicago.