Thrillin',Chillin',Feet are Killin' Day 10: Busch Babies and Crazy Old Ladies

[WileyCoyote]

Friday August 28th - the previous day is HERE

Having decided last night that we were off to Busch today, it was an early-ish start

We got up around 7 , pottering about and making a packed lunch for the cooler in the car .

The boys got up at 8 and we were on track to leave at 8.30 when he who was not being rushed this holiday announced that he wanted to wear the t shirt from yesterday which was still wet from being laundered:angry:

So much application of hot iron and 30 minutes later we were ready to go.

Good fun this not being rushed lark

Busch doesn’t open till 10 so we still had enough time to get there for opening and with quite light traffic we were there for 0945.

We managed to get straight onto a waiting tram and were duly advised to keep all our body parts inside the vehicle – thank heavens for that – who knows what appendages might have been at risk !

Just as the national anthem finished we were passing through the turnstiles so we quickly agreed to meet the boys at 1230 in the Jungala area of the park .

They shot off to get on Cheetah Hunt and we followed at a slower pace

Mean Gators



Perky cheetahs





Damn, that one’s a fake



This one wasn’t



The lesser spotted teen was also seen – they had got on and off Cheetah Hunt within 10 minutes and were heading off elsewhere as Montu was closed today





I know there is a school of thought that Busch is less attractive than other parks but we love it and it has some lovely pockets of lushness



We set off to see the animals

Fat Gator



Who lives with lots of fish



Something distinctly Jurassic going on here



We then spent ages watching the lionesses



The hubby wasn’t amused



He came to check out why andy was chatting up his missus





Cos she was giving him a high five and clearly wanting a tummy tickle (well,dont we all )



Andys new friend



I had wandered off to see the Hyenas – they really are scraggy





They just look mean !





I think there was clearly a “ who’s been eating my porridge thing” going on with the facial expressions !



We wanted to take the train round the park but there was only one running and it was a 40 minute wait so we carried on walking

Next time we should do the serengetti safari to see these guys close up





And then we stopped at the meerkats, who were too cute !





We watched them for ages

[WileyCoyote]

We found ourselves walking back past the cheetahs as we doubled back to get onto the trail with the gorillas



Seriously – who rides this !



Crazy people !



Quick check on the rain ..



Look closely , he is cradling a baby







No matter what species you are, your main purpose is to taxi the kids around



Now this describes a Teenager’s Day



Yup, definitely teenagers



Definitely no peace for Dads



Hey, they profiled Andy too !



More walking towards Pantopia



And these Giant Tortoises – with infeasibly long necks



No wait, that’s an elephant, my photos got muddled









More elephants


So we arrived in Pantopia – with Falcons Fury in the background



We must see some of these shows one day !



Then into Jungala around 1130

Where this fella was having a bad hair day


Whaddaya mean a bad hair day – did you look at yourself lately lady !



I find their hands completely fascinating



And this guy looked so regal – but I always wonder if he is lonely





It was about 12 now so we popped into the Bengal Bistro which had just opened

The food was really fresh. It had a nice selection - bit pricey really for a burger- but on a par with the other parks !

Nice selections





Andy had the tower platter ( basically a burger and chicken tender) which was $11.99 and I had the cheeseburger $10.99



With 2 sodas it came to $31.

[WileyCoyote]

We sat at the front of the tables outside, people watching



Err, not many people about

Except we did see the boys arriving – who were a bit fed up that they had only managed to get onto Sheikra , which broke down for about 20 minutes.

They went off to ride Kumba and we agreed to meet back at Cheetah Hunt – taking the skyride back.

Just as we set off some winged nasty bit me – I felt a sting and rubbed my leg, thinking nor more of it

I ALWAYS get bitten in this park

We had a nice trip back in the swinging bucket – I did have a moment when I couldn’t look over the top but soon got a grip









Look, more elephants





Crazy people !



It was a nice way to see the park and we were soon back at the cheetah area

Soon joined by our happy smiling sons



No wait, that was the parents next to us

I don’t know what was up here – although Jamie’s ear was still troubling him and he just had “ that” head on.

Of course, more obligatory cheetah pics ..





And the also obligatory tram shot that we always take leaving Busch showing what a great time we have had





You honestly wouldn’t know that we had just had a really great time in there would you ?

But we did, still one of our faves.



Not Disney though is it – see anyone can dump their bike and just leave it … tsk tsk



We were soon on our way and with clouds building it looked like rain was on its way

Just as we were heading away from the entrance we had dicing with death moment number two

Crazy old lady driving a mahoosive truck was so busy texting that she didn’t realise, or care, or maybe both , that she was veering out of her lane and into ours, forcing us out towards the very large concrete barrier in the central reservation.

So picture her



In this



Heading towards your side of the car !

Does our car have a target on it or what ?

So we were very grateful to not be squished and arriving back home by 1.30

Myself and the boys had a crafty nap in the car – either because we were tired or traumatised by the crazy truck lady

Connor and Andy decided that they wanted to continue a nap fest and Jamie wanted to just chill out so I headed to the pool by myself for a bit at 2.30



I settled in with my book and a totally luscious strawberry daiquiri, with extra rum for good measure, hic.



And had a lovely time just soaking up the sun – it felt very indulgent

I decided to head back at 4pm and was just disposing of the daiquiri evidence when Andy appeared , oops, caught red handed !

We faffed about for a bit and then the daily downpour came between 5-6.30



after which we decided to head out for some steak and late night shopping

We headed to the Vineland Outlets and stopped at the Longhorn nearby

Friday night at a steakhouse near the outlet - ooh recipe for a long wait.

So completely surprised to be seated within 5 minutes.

We had a lovely server , whom Andy treated to a rendition of Blue Moon as she had persuaded him to try this drink ( more parental embarrassment obviously). He also mentioned Connor's upcoming birthday...

We had the usual bread to start ( no pic, looks the same as last visit)

We had a voucher for a free appetizer and went for the cheesy mushrooms



Connor went for the full rack of ribs this time



Jamie had the chicken tenders



Andy had prime rib and went for two of the premium sides of creamed spinach and garlic cream potatoes ( nice but both a bit salty for us)





And I had the usual of Filet and Lobster- and this was the best steak by far...



As I was stuffed but determined to have dessert, I had red velvet cheesecake to go ( and was lovely at breakfast the next day )





The server then surprised us with a birthday ice cream for Connor



And the final bill - our most expensive meal of the holiday but totally delicious $114 and we left a $22 tip



We then waddled our way round the Outlets – it is great at this time of night, cool and very quiet – but we were stuffed full and a bit tired after 3 park days in a row so didn’t spend a huge amount of time here .

Will definitely do more evening shopping next time though as with the boys being night owls, it suits them .

Is it even possible to do MORE shopping than we already do anyway !

Connor tries in vain to negotiate with his brother for some Warheads



But he’s having none of it



Sibling sharing- ness.

Not.

Purchases were made




This hoody for me $14





This Christmas ornament



$9 !

And a magnet



So a total of $27 in the Disney store

And Andy bought a top for $33 in Lacoste that seems to have evaded a photograph

We made our way home around 1030 after a pretty varied and busy day – good fun though and we were all pretty tired when we got in so not even a nightcap

Total Spend for today

$31 Bengal Bistro
$136 Longhorns, inc tip
$27 Disney Store
$33 Lacoste

[EllieP]

We love Busch gardens too, and are a couple of the 'mad people' who have ridden cheetah hunt and Falcons fury 😜. Longhorns was the best steak I have ever tasted! Can't wait to go back!

[The Hulk]

Great day and great animal pics. We love Busch too and in two visits I done falcons 6 times,loved it,eventually!

[jocat]

In all our visits, we have never visited Busch Gardens - looks good though with the exception of the bites!

What was it with you this trip with the traffic? It's horrible when you have that feeling that you're invisble! I did think on our last visit that the roads were noticeably busier though.

Food looks great at usual - if only we had a Longorn's here.

[dixonsontour]

Good day

[l33na]

A fun day. We are fans of Busch Gardens too. Can't wait to go there again

[Redrach1903]

Sounds like a great day! I'm really keen to go back to BG next year! It's been 16 years since I've been!

Those lion pics are fab! Xx

[juliab]

Lots of fab photo's, BG looks really good. Hopefully we'll get there one day