Canadian Buffoon's Back to Front Vacation - Update! 05/18 - Falling Down

[mustinjourney]

I found out later that the rebreather program
is only offered twice a week (Saturday/Sunday)
and is limited to four guests.
I really had snagged the last ticket.

I was beginning to think you had signed up multiple times.

Finally it was time to get in the water.
We were again told not to touch the fish
and then, one at a time, starting with
myself, we had to stand, walk over to
a ladder, turn and climb down.

walking with flippers and going down a ladder would be difficult.

I got in the water and wondered
how I was going to get my flippers on.
This outfit doesn't exactly lend itself
to flexibility.

Correction -- putting on your flippers in the water would be difficult.

They had already figured that out.
The guide was in the water and
put my flippers on for me.
"Jeeves, fetch my slippers... flippers."
I could get used to this kind of service!

Correction -- having someone else put your flippers on would be easy.

I did not soil myself.
Which kinda surprised me, actually.

Didn't pull a Hank?

2. Notice the long stick she's carrying?
We were told that the Giant Groupers
could be aggressive. I presume the stick
was to fend them off.

so she can protect herself and leave the rest of you there to die a horrible, horrible death.

He pecks my mask!

<tock!> <tock!tock!tock!>

It's happening!

I burst out laughing.
I glanced over at our guide and she
pointed to me, then the fish, and then
made a heart symbol with her hands.
I nodded happily in agreement.

Oh -- that turned out better than I was thinking.

Not too many opportunities left in this
world where you can make kids smile
and laugh.

Yeah -- I pretty much only interact with my kids and my friends' kids. If I don't know your parents, I try to not even make eye contact.

It reminds me of a Bill Burr stand up bit.

It was exorbitantly expensive,
but I'd do it again in a hot second.

Just checked prices. wow! And people think Disney is expensive!

Did some reading up on those rebreathers -- the tanks and equipment can cost $15,000. it was developed for the military and is used by Navy SEALs.

As an aside -- if you do it again, it looks like you get a $100 discount if you're a member...and membership are less than $100, so it pays to be a member.

Did you see it in this chapter?

I've gone through the pictures 3 times and haven't see it yet. Will try again.

 

[juniorbugman]

I had a frying pan in a 450 degree oven.
I took it out and removed the chicken.
I was doing a bunch of other stuff
(chicken, cedar plank salmon, roast
cauliflower, carrots and potatoes)
and grabbed the pan handle with my
bare hand to rinse off the pan.
I pretty much never put frying pans
in the oven, but this one had a metal
handle so I could.

This is the reason that I use hot handle covers on my cast iron frying pan or any frying pan that I take out of the oven. I have almost touched them many times so if I use the red handle covers I know that it is hot. You can buy them at Kitchen stuff plus or Bass Pro shops or even online at Amazon.ca

 

[pkondz]

and then I have a grammar fail.

And that’s one of the worst!!

 

[mustinjourney]

Did you see it in this chapter?

well, that only took me 4 viewings to find. Well done. I would have thought you got a nice discount on the scuba tour since its sponsored and all.

 

[mustinjourney]

And that’s one of the worst!!

I noticed immediately when I read your post and was like, "haha -- look at that dummy that sucks at grammar! Oh wait, that dummy is me!"

 

[Pluto0809]

I hadn't been robbed at gun point
during the night.

Heck... not even at knife point.

Honestly I'm surprised you didn't.

I moved the sign to wipe up the counter
and a cockroach ran out from under it.

Um, ewwww, no.

since it was actually a spider about
the size of a half dollar,

Yikes! Spiders are my one serious irrational fear. Can't stand them and will run screaming in the other direction even though I know most of them won't hurt me. The one in your room was probably a Wolf Spider. The nasty things are pretty common here in the south. I would post a picture of one here but then I would never be able to come on your TR again for fear of seeing it! I've found the flat edge of my swiffer works very well to smash the buggers. All except that one time where I smashed a mother spider and about a 100 tiny baby spiders ran everywhere in my house. I couldn't smash that swiffer down fast enough to get them all!

A third time and I was...
pretty sure I had him.
I wadded up the Kleenex
and tossed it in the toilet.

Seriously hyperventilating here just reading that story!

I quickly (very quickly) packed up my
belongings and grabbing the first load,

Hopefully you didn't take any creepy crawlies along with you!

Georgia Aquarium,

Man, I need to get back down there again! It's been four or five years since I've visited. I'd probably go more often if it wasn't downtown. Jim was a one and done there and I don't like driving down by myself.

Love this shot!

It was pretty interesting as it had a wave machine
to simulate surf conditions.

I love this tank, it's so fun to stand underneath and watch the waves break above you.

Funny... they had a Beluga Whale
exhibit as well...
And I didn't even give it a glance.

That's too bad, the Beluga's there are a lot of fun. They come up to the front of the tank and interact some with the guests. But I do understand if you see them all the time.

Oooohhh... I wonder if anyone
is able to find Deepo!
(Maybe his friend Nory can!)

They do try to be a little too much like Disney there.

Words can't accurately describe what seeing
one of these giants up close feels like.

Totally agree here! It's pretty awe inspiring when the swim over top of you.

We were escorted backstage where we had a view
of the Ocean Voyager tank.

Wow, this is so cool!

The way they do it is quite interesting.
They don't just cast the food into the water.
They put four dinghies in the water,
each with one person aboard.
Each person has a scoop with a long handle
to feed one shark each.
Since the sharks can't stop moving,
they pull themselves along ropes attached to
either end of the tank.
The sharks follow along like puppies after kibble.

Man, now I want to see this! I need to look and see if they have a backstage tour that doesn't include scuba diving. I've never gone scuba diving and I'm not sure I could handle it. I get a little claustrophobic with things over my face.

So this little yellow fish swims up to me,
comes right up to my mask and...

<tock!>

He pecks my mask!

I realized I didn't quote much while reading though the process before the dive, I think I was too enthralled by the story. But this is so cute, you made a friend!

Having these massive rays
glide over you was amazing.

And probably a little bit scary too. I'm sure these guys are safe but I can't help but think about how Steve Irwin died every time I see one.

Did you see it in this chapter?

Nope, and I've been through 4 times and even tried to cheat and read where other people found it.

Coming up... Pot roast and pool.

Really looking forward to this update!

 

[pkondz]

I was beginning to think you had signed up multiple times.

I'd be okay with that.
I would not be okay with
paying multiple times.

walking with flippers and going down a ladder would be difficult.

Correct.
However...

Correction -- putting on your flippers in the water would be difficult.

... I think that would be even
more difficult. If not impossible.

Correction -- having someone else put your flippers on would be easy.

Didn't pull a Hank?

I almost did!
Once my heart stopped
pounding and I remembered
just what it was that was
swimming by me,
I started to reflexively
reach out to touch it...

Which is a no-no.
No point in paying all that money
only to be told to get out of the pool.

so she can protect herself and leave the rest of you there to die a horrible, horrible death.

This was implied, no?

It's happening!

Oh -- that turned out better than I was thinking.

Yeah.
He was just a little guy.
Not much bigger than
a piranha.

Yeah -- I pretty much only interact with my kids and my friends' kids. If I don't know your parents, I try to not even make eye contact.

Yep.
And... that's sad, isn't it?

It reminds me of a Bill Burr stand up bit.

I'm at work, so I'll take
a look at that later.

Just checked prices. wow! And people think Disney is expensive!

Toldja.

Did some reading up on those rebreathers -- the tanks and equipment can cost $15,000. it was developed for the military and is used by Navy SEALs.

But the technology's been around
a long time.
It's just starting to come into
the realm of do-able, purchase-wise.

As an aside -- if you do it again, it looks like you get a $100 discount if you're a member...and membership are less than $100, so it pays to be a member.

Hmmm...
That's interesting.
When I looked at the numbers
last year, that was not the case.
It only paid off if you visited twice.

 

[pkondz]

I've gone through the pictures 3 times and haven't see it yet. Will try again.

well, that only took me 4 viewings to find. Well done. I would have thought you got a nice discount on the scuba tour since its sponsored and all.

Tricky one, no?

I noticed immediately when I read your post and was like, "haha -- look at that dummy that sucks at grammar! Oh wait, that dummy is me!"

Was just a little miffed.

 

[pkondz]

This is the reason that I use hot handle covers on my cast iron frying pan or any frying pan that I take out of the oven. I have almost touched them many times so if I use the red handle covers I know that it is hot. You can buy them at Kitchen stuff plus or Bass Pro shops or even online at Amazon.ca
View attachment 377691

Ha! Who would ever need that???


Um...


So Amazon, you say?




(And thanks for the tip!)

 

[pkondz]

Honestly I'm surprised you didn't.

And did you warn me not to stay there?
Noooooo!!!

Um, ewwww, no.

Unfortunately... yes.

Yikes! Spiders are my one serious irrational fear. Can't stand them and will run screaming in the other direction even though I know most of them won't hurt me. The one in your room was probably a Wolf Spider. The nasty things are pretty common here in the south. I would post a picture of one here but then I would never be able to come on your TR again for fear of seeing it!

I Googled (photo withheld)
and it sure looks like it.

I've found the flat edge of my swiffer works very well to smash the buggers. All except that one time where I smashed a mother spider and about a 100 tiny baby spiders ran everywhere in my house. I couldn't smash that swiffer down fast enough to get them all!

Ugh! I'm not too bad with them
(at a distance)
but... ew!!!! Gross!!!

Seriously hyperventilating here just reading that story!

Well me too now,
so join the club!

Hopefully you didn't take any creepy crawlies along with you!

The thought occurred to me.


After.

Man, I need to get back down there again! It's been four or five years since I've visited. I'd probably go more often if it wasn't downtown. Jim was a one and done there and I don't like driving down by myself.

I found driving easy enough.
And I pre-purchased parking.

Love this shot!

Thanks!

I love this tank, it's so fun to stand underneath and watch the waves break above you.

I didn't see it until I got
a little closer.
I was pleasantly taken
by surprise.

That's too bad, the Beluga's there are a lot of fun. They come up to the front of the tank and interact some with the guests. But I do understand if you see them all the time.

Been several years, but...
Yeah... not too new for me.

They do try to be a little too much like Disney there.

Oh, no. Not at all.

Totally agree here! It's pretty awe inspiring when the swim over top of you.

Wow, this is so cool!

Right??????

Man, now I want to see this! I need to look and see if they have a backstage tour that doesn't include scuba diving. I've never gone scuba diving and I'm not sure I could handle it. I get a little claustrophobic with things over my face.

I really don't know?
But... it would certainly
be do-able.

I realized I didn't quote much while reading though the process before the dive, I think I was too enthralled by the story. But this is so cute, you made a friend!

I really did!

And probably a little bit scary too. I'm sure these guys are safe but I can't help but think about how Steve Irwin died every time I see one.

Nope!
Manta Rays are in the same
family as Sting Rays,
but they don't have a spine
in their tales.
Totally harmless.

Nope, and I've been through 4 times and even tried to cheat and read where other people found it.

I was exceptionally sneaky this time.

Really looking forward to this update!

I wonder why?



Photos already edited.
Just have to upload and write.

 

[mustinjourney]

Yeah.
He was just a little guy.
Not much bigger than
a piranha.

Piranhas are the teddy bears of the sea.

Yep.
And... that's sad, isn't it?

is a little sad. If I'm at Disney with my daughter, I will typically interact a little with kids (make a face or say hello princess or something like that). But if I'm solo at Disney, I almost don't even want to make eye contact with a child.

 

[pkondz]

Piranhas are the teddy bears of the sea.

I used to have one...

Wait... back up a bit.

I bought three.
All about the size of a half dollar.
But all three very distinct.
Small, medium and large.

One day I came home and
the medium one was gone.

Later I came home and...
The big one was gone!
Still not sure how he
managed that one.

When I finally had to get rid
of him (moving away, I brought
him back to the pet store)
He was about 5-6" long
and about 2" thick.

is a little sad. If I'm at Disney with my daughter, I will typically interact a little with kids (make a face or say hello princess or something like that). But if I'm solo at Disney, I almost don't even want to make eye contact with a child.

<sigh>... yeah...
Sweet little girl in a princess costume.
Me: trying to make her day "Hi princess!"
Parent: Who's the creepy old guy?

Top reason why I like diving at Epcot.
You become a CM and then it's okay.

 

[juniorbugman]

OMG I checked from my phone and was able to blow up the pictures and I did find it. I won't spoil it for anybody.

 

[pkondz]

OMG I checked from my phone and was able to blow up the pictures and I did find it. I won't spoil it for anybody.

Toldja I was sneaky.

 

[buzzrelly]

Wow... that is... almost eerie.

Both the photo and the story
of how it happened.

I first saw that and thought
"Did I post a photo of my hand?"
I know I texted or PMd a photo
to someone...
And the similarity is striking.

Palm and four fingers.
Except mine is blistering now.
Did yours?

I know! Isn't that strange? I thought I was the only one dumb enough to do that, but at least I'm in good company

Mine was very blistered and swollen. I was smart enough to immediately remove my wedding rings because I knew it was going to blow up. The good news is that because of the type of skin it is, there are no scars and it is 100% healed.

I hope you're feeling better!

 

[pkondz]

I know! Isn't that strange? I thought I was the only one dumb enough to do that, but at least I'm in good company

We make a great team, Kelly!

Mine was very blistered and swollen. I was smart enough to immediately remove my wedding rings because I knew it was going to blow up.

I was told to take mine off
at the hospital.
It never would've occurred to me!

The good news is that because of the type of skin it is, there are no scars and it is 100% healed.

Good!
I'm hoping for similar results.

I hope you're feeling better!

I am!
Have blisters and hard patches,
but I'm better than a few days ago.

 

[buzzrelly]

Luckily, the only thing on the counter
at the time, was that fun sign,
listing all the prices.
I moved the sign to wipe up the counter
and a cockroach ran out from under it.

As I attempted to exit the bathroom,
a tuft of carpeting caught my eye.
Odd I hadn't noticed it before...
I decided that the reason I hadn't noticed
was either I was too tired earlier;
or, since it was actually a spider about
the size of a half dollar, that it had arrived
from elsewhere only recently
(probably from under the bed... or on it)
and was on its way to visit the roach family.

Flush with exercise and heady
from the victory of battle...
I headed down the hall
for breakfast.

What?? It wasn't bad enough that you SLEPT in a roach and spider infested motel, you decided to EAT there as well?? I'm starting to think you're just a glutton for punishment!

I snagged a few pieces and...
I have never seen such thin bacon.
Imagine a wet, translucent piece of
wax paper.
That's what it looked like.
I ate three or four slices,

My attention was immediately captured
by a pair of playful Southern Sea Otters.

Aw, adorable

Funny... they had a Beluga Whale
exhibit as well...
And I didn't even give it a glance.
When you've seen (literally)
thousands of them at a time...
on a daily basis...
One or two don't hold the same appeal.

Where is this? At your home?? That is kind of amazing!

Oooohhh... I wonder if anyone
is able to find Deepo!
(Maybe his friend Nory can!)

How would you feel, feeding a shark
that's twice as long as your boat, hmmm?

Like I made some very bad life choices

Well... I don't dive very much...
And I'm not too sure about normal gear,
let alone unfamiliar gear...

Sure! Why not?

What could possibly go wrong?

So this little yellow fish swims up to me,
comes right up to my mask and...

<tock!>

He pecks my mask!

<tock!> <tock!tock!tock!>

I burst out laughing.
I glanced over at our guide and she
pointed to me, then the fish, and then
made a heart symbol with her hands.
I nodded happily in agreement.

Aw, he loves you

In the above photo, I'm doing one
of the things I love most about these
tank dives... interacting with guests.
Not too many opportunities left in this
world where you can make kids smile
and laugh.
It warms my heart when a child gets excited
when he/she sees a diver waving at them.

That's sweet, and I bet the kids got a kick out of it

After being in the water
for about an hour, it was time
to return to the surface.
I reluctantly did so.
The dive was over.

It was exorbitantly expensive,
but I'd do it again in a hot second.

Looks like it was worth every penny. I could NEVER do that. I can barely snorkel. I was snorkeling in FL once and a wave went over me and I inhaled sea water and kind of panicked. I tried again in the shark reef at TL and I kind of just held my breath and swam across. I am going to try snorkeling again in April on our cruise. I have a sail/snorkel excursion booked in St. Thomas and I'll see how it goes. I am kind of freaked out by the whole "breathing under water" concept.

That rebreathing diving sounds super complicated, I can't believe you learned how to do that with such little instruction. Seems like it was a really amazing experience though

I was told to take mine off
at the hospital.
It never would've occurred to me!

That's why I'm a nurse, and I never went to the hospital

I am!
Have blisters and hard patches,
but I'm better than a few days ago.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

So sorry to hear about your hand, but glad it's healing up nicely!!

Silly me. I had forgotten to get some
pliers out of the car to tighten the tap.

You mean this isn't part of your normal hotel check in routine?

I moved the sign to wipe up the counter
and a cockroach ran out from under it.

Or was it a palmetto bug?
I interned at a beachfront hotel in Hilton Head, and anytime someone said something about a cockroach, the reply was always "Oh it's not a cockroach, it's a palmetto bug." I'm still not sure why this was supposed to make you feel better. It's still a big bug.

I grabbed my weapon of choice when dealing
with unruly arachnids... a Kleenex.

My weapon is my husband.

The spider leapt aside.


I'm not kidding. he was that fast.

Nope. Nopeity nope nope NOPE.

I may have flushed twice.

Shoot I think I would have tried to block to opening.

My attention was immediately captured
by a pair of playful Southern Sea Otters.

I got to pet these! When Joe and I went to the Georgia Aquarium we booked the Otter Encounter. We got to go behind the scenes and learn about sea otters, as well as feed them and pet their paws. I was blown away by how BIG they were, as I'd only ever seen river otters before.

One or two don't hold the same appeal.

I'd imagine not. I think they're cute though!

I sat down and just... stared... awestruck...
for several minutes.

I think this is the only reaction you can have to this room. Joe had to practically pull me from it.

Since the sharks can't stop moving,
they pull themselves along ropes attached to
either end of the tank.
The sharks follow along like puppies after kibble.

Too cool!

Well... I don't dive very much...
And I'm not too sure about normal gear,
let alone unfamiliar gear...

Sure! Why not?

Eek. I've never wanted to learn how to scuba dive. The idea of being underwater and so many things that can go wrong....no thank you. I'll happily stay up above and live vicariously through the rest of you.

I did not soil myself.
Which kinda surprised me, actually.

Hee hee.

Our guide told us that since one of our group
was having issues, we could wait or go for
a short tour of the (relatively) shallow portion
of the tank. We did so.

That poor woman. You know she was probably mortified to be the one holding everyone up.

We were told that the Giant Groupers
could be aggressive. I presume the stick
was to fend them off.

Not too many opportunities left in this
world where you can make kids smile
and laugh.

One of my favorite things about my wedding (aside from the whole marrying Joe part) is that a lot of the younger kids were convinced I was a princess. They loved that I would dance with them and talk to them.

 

[pkondz]

Correct.

I don't know whether to or

I think I'll go with

What?? It wasn't bad enough that you SLEPT in a roach and spider infested motel, you decided to EAT there as well?? I'm starting to think you're just a glutton for punishment!

Hey. It was morning.
I was a little (a lot)
slow on the uptake.

Actually, it tasted okay...
if a little... transparent.

Aw, adorable

Where is this? At your home?? That is kind of amazing!

Churchill, MB.
I lived there for four years.
It's mostly known for Polar Bears,
but in the summer, thousands of
Beluga whales migrate to the
river mouth.
I would direct pilots of itinerant
aircraft to fly up the river before landing.
It looked like rice in the river
(from altitude, obviously.)

Like I made some very bad life choices

What could possibly go wrong?

My trust in breakfast
and dive equipment
knows no bounds.

Aw, he loves you

That's sweet, and I bet the kids got a kick out of it

They usually do, although
I noticed they were a bit more
reserved than at Disney.
I'm always happy to pose
for photos or play "patty cake"
with them.

Looks like it was worth every penny. I could NEVER do that. I can barely snorkel. I was snorkeling in FL once and a wave went over me and I inhaled sea water and kind of panicked. I tried again in the shark reef at TL and I kind of just held my breath and swam across. I am going to try snorkeling again in April on our cruise. I have a sail/snorkel excursion booked in St. Thomas and I'll see how it goes. I am kind of freaked out by the whole "breathing under water" concept.

Hopefully you'll be in a more protected
(read, less wavy) area and
you'll have a better time.

That rebreathing diving sounds super complicated, I can't believe you learned how to do that with such little instruction. Seems like it was a really amazing experience though

It actually wasn't, provided
you've SCUBA dived before.
(And you had to have your certification.)
The buoyancy took some getting used to,
but otherwise the sensation is familiar.

The older gentleman who was with us
had lots of problems though.
Every few minutes he would motion over
our guide who would gently bring him
through the steps to get back on track.
I suspect the problem was him,
more than the gear.
I could be wrong.

That's why I'm a nurse, and I never went to the hospital

You is smart.
I may not have gone, but...
It needed wrapping and DW insisted.

 

[pkondz]

So sorry to hear about your hand, but glad it's healing up nicely!!

I think I am! Thanks!
And... how are you feeling?

You mean this isn't part of your normal hotel check in routine?

I know. Fail.
I brought in the screwdriver
and the socket set and left
that in the car.

Or was it a palmetto bug?

Well....

I got this for the Orkin website:
What Is a Palmetto Bug?
The term “palmetto bug” is a general name commonly used to refer to several species of cockroaches in the southern U.S.

I interned at a beachfront hotel in Hilton Head, and anytime someone said something about a cockroach, the reply was always "Oh it's not a cockroach, it's a palmetto bug." I'm still not sure why this was supposed to make you feel better. It's still a big bug.

Yeah, great...
Get it out of my room.
How's that?

My weapon is my husband.

I called Joe but he didn't answer!

Nope. Nopeity nope nope NOPE.

Correct.

Shoot I think I would have tried to block to opening.

I did close the lid...
And put a shoe on it.

I got to pet these! When Joe and I went to the Georgia Aquarium we booked the Otter Encounter. We got to go behind the scenes and learn about sea otters, as well as feed them and pet their paws. I was blown away by how BIG they were, as I'd only ever seen river otters before.

No way! That's so cool!
I did consider that, actually.
But either the time conflicted
with the dive or I didn't have
enough time afterwards.

I think the former.

I'd imagine not. I think they're cute though!

They are. I love their "smiles".
Also they're so vocal!

I think this is the only reaction you can have to this room. Joe had to practically pull me from it.

Not surprised in the least.

Too cool!

It was really neat to see!

Eek. I've never wanted to learn how to scuba dive. The idea of being underwater and so many things that can go wrong....no thank you. I'll happily stay up above and live vicariously through the rest of you.

I'm never worried about that,
for some reason.
I guess too, in the tanks,
if there's a problem, there's always
guides around and...
well, you can just go up.

That poor woman. You know she was probably mortified to be the one holding everyone up.

Probably. But the staff handled it really well.

They never bothered us though.
Of course no one went right up
and got in one's face or anything.

One of my favorite things about my wedding (aside from the whole marrying Joe part)

Oh right. That.

is that a lot of the younger kids were convinced I was a princess. They loved that I would dance with them and talk to them.