The Essex Expedition 2: Day Nine - Bucsh Gardens, Blood Stains and secret vists.

[Guest]

Today was an early one as we were off to Busch. Last night had been a mid to light drinking session last night as I knew I had a fair bit of driving to do today. I got up at 7.30 this morning - Mainly as last night had put the TV on, left the remote on the TV and it had been on all night but I couldn't be asked to get out of my pit and turn it off. So I woke up and the Sun was already shining. It was going to be el scorcio today I could tell. Anyway I went and woke the rest up although Jake was making some noise so I guessed they were up. I decided on a swim as we were planning to leave at around 8.15ish. While Swimming I caught a glimpse of something out the corner of my eye. Could it be... I didn't want to think about it but yes it was. EDDIE was alive. I ran in the house yelling for everyone to come out and amazingly it was the most animated most of us was all holiday as everyone ran to see Eddie. Some compared it when Dirty Den returned after bing shot while others said it had similarities to Bobbies reappearance in Dallas, one thing we did all agree on was how marvellous it was to see him again.



At 8.15 we boarded the meat wagon, then we had to return as Dean needed to wash his hands, then again as Jake had forgot his monkey and then once more as Ian had forgot his Camera. At 8.35 we left the drive at last and to my utter amazement before we hit the 27 (which is less than .5 mile from Villa) and while still in the Glenbrook Estate - Bernie Fell asleep. I hadn't even turned the Radio on yet! He was the worst navigator ever.



By the time we were on the I4 I think everyone was asleep so it was just me and the country Music channel. I listed to my favourite song "Im not as good as I once was", "Have you forgotten" and a new one I like about a woman who writes to her parents about having no money. Rock on! After about a hour of Sunday driving its time to come off the I4 at Tampa and after a little erratic driving from me everyone was awake. Now if you read the last series of my award winning trip reports (The James Awards: Best Trip report) you will know I took the wrong turning after coming off the I4. For those of you also who have driven down there will know there is a sign saying "Busch Gardens next right". Well this time I didn't take the next right as I knew it was wrong I took the one after. That was still wrong. You need to keep going to you are at the traffic lights then go right. Anyhow, while going down this road for about a mile, I came to another right so I took that planning on doing a full circle. However when I turned to head back to the main road there was a car coming towards us. "Your on the wrong side of the Road" Oz yelled So Immediately turned onto the other side of the road and the car heading towards us done the same. The Driver was holding a Map and I veared back on the otherside of the Road and how we didn't hit each other God only knows. I then realised that as I had come around the corner - I had been on the right side of the road (In both respects) and he had been on the wrong side of the road, and then he had seen me, he had turned, and I had so that's why we nearly crashed. Oz thought we were back in England obviously.

After this anyway shortly after we got to Busch. Parked up and boarded there transportation thingy which now goes under the road. Is this new or has it always gone under the road. I don't remember it last year. Anyway we got to the main entrance and everyone had there morning toilet break while we got drinks. As every time I have been here we decided to go clockwise which means first stop is Gwazi which I now have decided is my favourite rollercoaster in Florida just for the fact it isn't smooth and doesn't feel as safe as Duelling dragons or something like that. Anyway we decided to do this first. Unlike last year there was NO queue at all and if you are facing the way the rollercoasters leave we went on the one on the right first which I have never been on before. We sat right at the back and it was a great ride. Deans face was priceless as he was terrified, when it stopped and the ride does seem to last a while and I looked at Dean and he was covered in blood. And worse still so was I. Apparently one of Deans scabs from Wet n'wild had come off and had turned the ride into a bloodbath. Disgusting. Anyway as we walked off people stared a the blood soaked dean (who had wiped it on his face 'for effect apparently') and when we got to the front of the ride he pretended to claps onto a bench and said loudly "That's a bit rough ain't it" well again our humour was wasted on the Americans when women called her husband back who was heading on with there daughter and told them it was not a good idea and whispered loudly "Look at that man over there you don't want to end up like that" the little girl looked very upset. Dean probably ruined her holiday!

Next up was the restrooms where Hannibal lector cleaned himself up before we progressed to Shei-kra the newest rollercoaster in Florida I believe. This is what Florida is all about - If you do quite regularly like I have in the last few years you forget how much fun it is to stop and watch a ride go around a few times as you have never seen it before and all the excitement that goes with it. I remember first time in IOA and doing that with The Hulk and Duelling Dragons and Dr Dooms etc , now when I go I just wanna get on it straight away. Anyway we watched it a few times and had the usual from Dean "I isn't going on that" and he got his usual sympathetic reply "shut up you tart".

Eventually we all went on this except Vic who waited with Jake. The queuing area is quite good as you go across six gangplanks which are suspended in the air to board the ride. Its good that you all sit together and although there is only 3 rows on each car the front row does seem to have the longest queue. There is a sign however that says the ride is designed so every seat gets the same ride. Anyway soon we were climbing up the VERY steep climb and you have a great view of Tampa from up there. You then turn and it drops a tiny bit and you are suspended there for 3 seconds before you are dropped straight down towards the ground. Its such an adrenaline rush as it does it. There are two drops and alas the ride is over far too quickly but excellent all the same.

Next up was Tidal wave. Now the build up, as I have said before is the most boring of any ride I have been on (Including Its a small world) but the Drop however is the best. Ozzie had trainers on and I said you should have flip flops on today not trainers. However he does know best. And when that boat comes down and you are sitting waste deep in cold water, Ozzie realised that maybe he shouldn't have worn trainers. Infact after coming off he went and brought some. Myself and Ian however waited on the bridge to make sure we were Soaked. Next me and Vic went on Stanleyville falls and if you want to know how it compares to Dudley do-rights? It doesn't. Its tame and pretty boring but it was in the Sun and we had a nice chat.

Next up was one of Busch's original coaster - 'Python' which in truth is in today's terms very poor. I still cant believe people queued 90 minutes for this years ago! How times have changed - We went straight on this (Right at front) and its over within a minute. We then went to the restaurants right next door to that and I had chicken strips which were ok and strawberries and cream which was tasty, tasty very very tasty. After Lunch we went on River Rapids - which is ok , however I prefer Popeye's or the one at AK if im honest. I nearly fell a*se over t*t coming down the stairs on the way out and so did 3 people behind me so be warned!

Next up was the Kumba which was good as always Again no real queue for this and had a couple of goes on this, before heading to the area where the games and kids rides are. We went on the hoop and bottle thing $5 a bucket and you have to get the hoop over the bottle. Every year had a go and every year failed. This year however Ian won!

[Guest]

Yes he won a big cat. We then decided to split up for a hour as Oz and Gemma wanted to do something or other (Train ride I think) and we wanted to go on Montu so we decided to do that. We raced around there with a tiger on its back pretending we were vets and the tiger was sick (Yes I know we are the sick ones) and we were taking to to the vets. When we got to Montu it was closed which was annoying so we went and watched the Alligators and did the Monkey and Gorilla enclosure which is always a nice way to spent half hour or so. Great Animals. There was also a large number of Squirrels this year - everywhere and you could get really close but I was worried it might jump at me ala Phsyco Squirrel or something



The Turtles this year were not getting it on much to Deans disappointment as he had heard so much about my trip last year and the turtle porn was his favourite bit of my video. We then met with Oz and Gemma who said they had had enough and took the keys and went and sat in the van. We were a little surprised here as it was only 3pm and the rest of us had planned to stay till close. What do you do in that situation? Well it was obvious it wasn't going to be a late one now and headed back to to Shie-kra once more. Great ride yet again and as we walked around Dean and Ian wanted to have a balloon water fight and Vic didn't fancy Gwazi so I decided to go on it myself. That's right I was going to be a single rider, a rider for money, I would sit where they told me to sit, I was a single rider a rider for pleasure, I would scream when they told me to scream. However I got paired up with an American lad who was about 14 and he was very sociable and had loads of questions about London and England and wanted to know why we didn't use Shillings anymore. I had no answer so he proberly thought me a bit thick. Anyhow it was a great last ride.

We stopped at the gift shop and I brought a couple of Budweiser glasses which were really nice, one was like a glass tankard and one just a pint glass but a silvery grey glass colour. The others brought a few other things and eventually we returned to the Van where they were waiting. Again everyone was asleep before we hit the I4 home but I was amused by the Van in front which had a pair of fake 'testicals' hanging out the back door. Looked very funny. I was annoyed with myself as well as I wasn't paying attention and missed a turning for the 27 which I didn't know was there and Im sure that would have saved us 15 minutes on the way home and went up to the only turning I know the 192 and back that way.

We had a nice swim in the pool. Me , Oz, Dean and Ian were playing keep the ball up game (oz sucks at this) and we were discussing maybe going out one night (just the boys) and oz said he would tell Gemma that was what he was doing we did take the mickey saying he wasn't man enough and he says he was so we said "Go and tell her now". So he went in the villa and come out looking very smug with himself.

"How did you get on" we asked
"I told her she was staying in with Jake one night and me and the boys are going out. If she don't like it she can lump it" he said in his male chauvinist way.

Soon Gemma came to the door and said she was going in the bath and he needed to look after Jake.

"in a minuite" Oz said.

A minuite later she yelled at him again and he moved very fast out the pool this time. Within 5 minutes the Patio door was closed and we look up and Oz was hoovering by the door in his pants. We were in hysterics. He talks a good game anyway. We never got out lads night out.



Me and the Tiger.

That night I drove down to Outback at Formosa Gardens and we had a fantastic meal. I think this can be hit and miss but this was defiantly hit and the service was superb. After that we drove down to Pirates Cove at Old Town and had 18 holes there before heading back to the Villa. Vic went straight to bed, as did oz and Gemma, me and Dean went Swimming and Ian fell asleep watching some TV program. Anyway Dean asked if I wanted another Beer and I said "I know what you really mean when you say that... you want to go Hooters" It was only 11pm so that's what we did -we Quickly got changed and we drove to Hooters on I drive had had a few beers down there. No where near as wild as last year but me and Dean enjoyed it! We even kept it secret from the others for nearly 2 days.



All in all a good day and knowing we were off to Typhoon Lagoon tomorrow it was even better

[highlander447]

another good day & a good photo

[Chelle27]

[QUOTE=James] There are two drops and alas the ride is over fart too quickly but excellent all the same. [QUOTE=James]

Is this what happens when you go on the ride?

Really enjoying these trip reports James, keep 'em coming!

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Chelle27

Is this what happens when you go on the ride?

Really enjoying these trip reports James, keep 'em coming!

See more...

Opps lol - I have changed it now!

Glad you like em!

[janeywaney]

A lovely day was had by all love the tiger

[Jes]

Great day and a wee sneaky few at Hooters as well! Glas to hear Eddie turned up safe and well!

[Guest]

oh james i nearly choked on my oatcake i was laughing so much at the bloodbath! looking forward to the rest

andrea

[Dizzy]

Originally Posted by James

As every time I have been here we decided to go clockwise which means first stop is Gwazi which I now have decided is my favourite rollercoaster in Florida just for the fact it isn't smooth and doesn't feel as safe as Duelling dragons or something like that. Anyway we decided to do this first. Unlike last year there was NO queue at all and if you are facing the way the rollercoasters leave we went on the one on the right first which I have never been on before. We sat right at the back and it was a great ride. Deans face was priceless as he was terrified, when it stopped and the ride does seem to last a while and I looked at Dean and he was covered in blood. And worse still so was I. Apparently one of Deans scabs from Wet n'wild had come off and had turned the ride into a bloodbath. Disgusting. Anyway as we walked off people stared a the blood soaked dean (who had wiped it on his face 'for effect apparently') and when we got to the front of the ride he pretended to claps onto a bench and said loudly "That's a bit rough ain't it" well again our humour was wasted on the Americans when women called her husband back who was heading on with there daughter and told them it was not a good idea and whispered loudly "Look at that man over there you don't want to end up like that" the little girl looked very upset. Dean probably ruined her holiday!

See more...

Uuuuuurrgghh, gross but I must admit... strangely very funny
Great news about Eddie
Thanks James... whispers to everybody from behind hand 'another two week wait now for the next installment'

[kirstielou]

Hooters! Naughty Naughty!