Thanks Andrea!!!!!
Just ordered it from Amazon...…..
Will keep it for Christmas though...……….well, I`ll try...…
Although I am banned from watching anything Christmassy this time of year anyway...…..
Arrival day in Orlando! How truly exciting! Nice treat that you're flying in from a short distance!
...….I`ll look out for that one about Charles Dickens......I adore his writing...…..
WEDNESDAY JULY 18TH...…………………….
Finally...…..the day we were so looking forward to...………
We were awake with the earliest of morning people this morning...…….I had arranged an alarm call for 5.30am, but I think we were both awake from around 4.45...…..although we slept well, this was another of those not wanting to sleep in moments...…..our flight wasn't until 10am, but we wanted to get there in plenty of time to get some breakfast and to be honest, we like airports...…..we hate to be rushed or feel as though we don't have enough time......so we are people who are usually very early for everything.
We had slept well though, until we did wake...….no getting back to sleep now!!!
We waited till the alarm call came through, and again the lady was bright and breezy and I couldn't get a word in!!!! She said good morning then proceeded to tell me the temperature right now, the high temp predicted for the day, possible cloud cover and basically too much information for anyone at that time of the morning...…...but I thanked her anyway...……
I eased myself out of this very comfortable bed for the last time this trip and hauled myself into the shower...…..I was fairly awake by now anyway and incredibly excited to be going to Orlando and not home as was originally planned. I was quite surprised to see the final account had been slipped under the door...….most places don't do that anymore, but they do here. And we checked it and everything was correct that we had added on...…….
I got the last bits packed up as Tom shaved and showered...…...we were both so excited for today.
We adore travelling anyway, journey to the the airport, airport itself is always an experience, the flight, it`s all part of a process we enjoy so much...….and today was only our second time doing an internal flight within the US. Usually when we arrive from the UK we don't just walk through to where departing passengers are waiting......we have to go through the immigration process and up until we had Global Entry, this could be quite long at times. So it was strange arriving last September to what is the departure area...…..but, it was after midnight and we didn't really get a chance to enjoy the experience as our flight was later than planned. But, we were just glad to be on a flight to Orlando at all with Irma and all the trouble she caused!!!
So this time we really hoped to enjoy the experience a little more.
I took a last look out of the window and once again marveled at the beautiful buildings and tower blocks we could see from our vantage point...….
It looked to be going to be another beautiful day...………
We managed to gather our belongings and had a check around......we usually forget something!!!! But, not today......and went downstairs to wait for our car service...….we did plan to go get 2 coffees from the Pomme Palais but, it was a little too early for me to take anything. I usually can`t eat or drink before around 8am...….so we decided to wait until JFK.
The beautiful entrance to the Towers and their rooms.
This really had been a beautiful stay in a wonderful hotel. We really can`t say enough about how lovely everyone was and the hotel itself is stunning. I would recommend it to anyone looking for something a little special.
We were a little early, but I glanced out and saw a Suburban pull up and said to Tom, I`ll bet that`s ours...…..at that point one of the doormen came in and asked us if we were waiting for the car service...…..it was ours. So, we climbed in and made ourselves comfortable for the journey to the airport.
Our driver was very friendly and chatty...…..and very open with his political views I have to say!!!! He had strong opinions on a lot of things!!!!! It was too early for me to engage really, so I just sat back and enjoyed the drive which only took around 50 minutes. Tom chatted with him more than I did. He was very nice, and he got us there safely and in plenty of time. That was all we asked.
JetBlue were our carriers today. So, he pulled up as near the doors as he could and unloaded our bags. The hotel told us we paid the driver directly, so we handed him his money, thanked him and then he asked us if he had been too political...….I laughed but Tom said no, you were fine...….he is the diplomatic one out of the two of us
Going into the terminal we remembered from last time. We had to go to the machines and print off your own luggage labels...….and label them yourself.....this was something we didn't do in the UK, but it took seconds and there are plenty of staff around if anyone needs help. We then took the cases over to where they disappeared and we vehemently hoped we would see them in Orlando later today...…..
We have TSA Pre check, so we headed down past the incredibly long lines and got to where we needed to be...….hardly anyone in front of us here and the friendliest guy checking our ID ever...…….not having to take shoes off, unload ipads and all the other stuff is so easy. We had been given TSA Pre check the last couple of years without asking for it, which was lovely, but now we had Global Entry it was automatic...….and we liked it!!!
We got through in moments and as always I was stopped for a search...…….quick pat down and we were through to the departure area.
We liked JetBlue last year. They were a company we were happy to fly with again. We booked the flights when it was still reasonably quiet, so we got the Extra space seats and we included one suitcase each with that choice of seat. I think it was around $500 for both of us to fly from JFK to MCO one way. We were happy with that. I love how people get flights anywhere for less than $100 in the States...…it is amazing!!!! But we were booked and that was all that mattered to us.
Now I was hungry!!!! We had a look around and saw a few options......the food court looked a little manic, so we opted to go sit at a table service place for breakfast...….it looked ok. We first checked our flight and it showing on time. This was good to see.
We walked over and were seated immediately, asking what time our flight was and were we in a hurry...….we said no rush and she left. We did wait a little bit of time for a menu, but this one guy was rushed off his feet, although eventually I did stop him and ask for a menu. He kinda grumbled something but did come back with two menus...…..
I had no idea what I wanted...….I didn't want a cooked breakfast and I had seen someone`s pancakes and didn't fancy the look of them at all...…..so I ordered a blueberry muffin and a bagel toasted with some cream cheese...….Tom looked at me as I detest bagels......genuinely can`t eat them and don't see the appeal of them...…..but I thought I might eat half of one this morning...….I did ask for toast but they only had wholegrain and I can`t eat that, so I wanted something toasted......I would give it a try...….Tom ordered his beloved two eggs sunny side up with bacon and sausage......I could pinch a wee bit of his bacon if it looked nice!!!!
After we finally ordered...…...we waited...…..eventually we were brought some coffee......but only because we asked...….and it was decent. But we did wonder what we would get breakfast wise as he didn't seem to be concentrating on what we asked for...…..it was busy and he seemed to be more or less on his own.
It did appear eventually, and Tom`s was lovely...….bacon was beautiful, sausages were lovely and he enjoyed the eggs. Mine was ok. The muffin was almost indescribable as to what actual flavor it was....and the bagel was inedible. Solid as a rock...…...even with the fake knife they give you......nothing was cutting through that!!!! But, I was glad Tom enjoyed his although he claims he didn't get much bacon.…he smiled of course, but inside I know what he was thinking
Hmm. Well, it was lovely bacon...……..He does actually share really well...….but isn't always happy about it
...…..he tells a much repeated story from years ago when we were somewhere in Europe, I think maybe Switzerland......I rather stupidly ordered something I didn't really want, not sure why...….and Tom ordered this gorgeous seafood dish of giant shrimp and many other delicious options...….when they arrived I looked at my seriously plain dish which looked incredibly unappetizing......and there was Tom`s...….resplendent in all its finery......it looked a treat. I looked at my dish sadly, and looked at his...…..then looked at him...….by this point Tom just swapped the plates over with an "I knew it" look...……..
I did share a little...….I was glad he actually enjoyed the dish that was originally mine!!! What a guy...…..
But, I do have to say......he does mention it once or twice...…...
So, now we were finished the breakfast of two halves...….we paid the check finally when he got around to us......he wasn't friendly or approachable but to be fair he was genuinely rushed off his feet. I didn't bother arguing over the fact the bagel was like a brick, it wasn't worth it for $5.
We headed down to where our gate was.....and visited the bathroom before buying some hard fruity candy for take off and landing......Tom`s ears always seem to be worse than mine, so we always make sure we have plenty.
We find a seat at the gate and it does indeed look like a full plane already...…...we have plenty of time especially as the plane hasn't even appeared yet......and just as I say it`s still showing on time, our plane appears as if by magic...……
Now we wait. It shouldn't be long now and this again we find so strange when the pax start to come through here...….it`s just different.
A lady sat down beside us and smiled, I smiled back and she began to chat......now anyone who knows me knows I love chatting......to almost anyone!!! But did I regret starting this conversation being started...…….cat lovers may want to miss this bit out.
I mentioned to Keisha and mac in emails we had two weird encounters this trip......one was this and the other was at Sapphire itself......
She was at first asking about our journey then she said oh I`ll show you some pictures of my babies...….this lady was 60 if she was a day!!! But, out came the cat pictures...….seriously!!!! I don't like cats......I don't want to hear about your 84 cats...…..and folks who call them babies!!! Sorry, they`re not, they`re animals...….So I tried to separate myself from this conversation......but she was relentless. Till she said, when one of my babies dies...….that's when I moved off. Tom says I always end up with someone who is a little strange to talk to. I`m sure it must be me...….the couple opposite told me when I came back she had tried it with them too and had hinted she was struggling with money to feed them......ah gotcha!!! Not an ounce of sympathy. I like dogs. I was polite to her as I was brought up nicely...….but there`s a limit.
Eventually cat lady disappeared and attached herself to someone else...…..I could sit back down again......we then kept chatting to the lovely couple opposite who were going to Orlando to see their daughter married...….how lovely...….the man laughed and asked if we wanted to see pictures......lol......I like someone with a sense of humour………they were a lovely couple...…
We chatted away the remaining time till boarding. I believe we were first to board, but again had to fight through the rest of the plane who had already lined up regardless...…...they had announced the flight was full and had looked for people to check in any hand luggage if they could for free. There wasn't going to be enough room for everyone`s hand luggage it seemed. Although some folks hand luggage is huge!!!! Ours would easily fit under the seat in front.
We boarded soon after and got our assigned seats. I had the window, tom was in the middle and the guy at the end was a nice young man who chatted just enough...….once we took off his headphones went on and that was him. But good person to have sat beside you.
It did take some time to board everyone...…..and by now we were just desperate to get going. When the door finally closed we pulled back and headed on out to the runway...….I think we circled the entire perimeter fence of JFK!!! I swear I thought he was driving to Orlando. We could eventually see the runway we were taking off from and there seemed to be a load of planes in front of us...….this was going to take ages...…..I`m not the most patient of people at times!!!!
But eventually around 10.40 we did in fact take off...…..and it was a decent take off. Not as sharp as I would have liked being the plane was as small, but we were up in the air and waved goodbye to a very sunny New York City in the distance.
The flight itself was short. We got a drink and a snack......I got those blue chips again...….they don't really taste of much do they!! Tom watched some movie or other, and I watched Dirty Dancing...….hadn't seen it in a while...…..
It was a quick flight and before we knew where we were, we were flying over very familiar territory...…..although we hadn't actually came in this particular flight path, we could see things we recognized...…..our landing was incredibly smooth and I had said our previous landing was the best ever.....this one was better by far...….of course it`s a much smaller plane, but you barely noticed wheels down!!! Then again, we seemed to have landed in Georgia!!!! We must have done, as the pilot drove for what seemed like miles till we even got near the terminal...…….and looking out my window...….I could see black skies and lightning......yep....we had left glorious sunshine for more storms...….we did laugh though, we didn't care, we were in Orlando......and we did indeed feel we had come home again.
It may sound like we hadn't enjoyed New York, we had loved it...….but this was Orlando...…..New York we probably wouldn't visit again for a few years unless we have a special reason to go back, but Orlando we plan to visit regularly as often as possible. This felt like home. We know a lot of people here, some we have known for many years, some a few years but we are always made to feel so welcome when we are here...….I have used the phrase for many years, we are made to feel like returning family every single visit......and that's truly what it`s like for us. So, yes, we were extremely happy to be here...…..especially as it was a bonus trip!!!
Finally we made the terminal...…..we disembarked from our plane and were heading out....of course again we were among folks waiting to take off.....we always use the same gates flying to and from the UK, so this was a little different too. I had stopped off for a bathroom visit, but seeing the 20 or so women in front of me I didn't bother.....I could wait. We hopped on the newly arriving monorail and soon were swooshing towards the main building. They had told us which carousel the luggage was arriving on, but we heard someone say it would be delayed as there was lightning. Well, we`d just have to wait then...…we just had the biggest smiles on our faces!!!!
We got there almost first...….but we didn't have to wait too long as it started moving almost immediately...….and by some miracle, ours were more or less first off...…..this was fantastic!!! We avoided all the infants who were allowed to gather around the carousel itself making collecting luggage rather difficult.....but Tom got them off and we headed downstairs to the rental car area.
It had been a very pleasant experience with JetBlue!!! I would happily fly with them again.
There was only one other person in the line for Alamo, so we were taken quickly...…….we have used Alamo for many years, only once using Dollar....a mistake we wont make again. Alamo have always been fine and again we had booked direct with them instead of going through the UK company so many book with. We had booked a Premium SUV. We normally just booked standard SUV, last time we had been "upgraded" to a BMW 3 Series. We don't really care for BMW`s, and it was alright, wouldn't have one again though for free...…..we knew they had a Jaguar F Pace, so thought we would ask if they had one of them and would pay the upgrade...….we hadn`t driven one yet and wanted to see what it was like...….not that we would buy one, but wanted to see if it was fun to drive.
So he takes our booking reference and immediately comments we rent a lot from them, which we do...…..he types a few things then says he has a nice Audi for us......er no thanks...….I find their seats are like sitting on bricks...….Tom asks do they have an F Pace.....he says yes they do and potters off to speak to his manager...…..he says it`ll be an extra $200 for the week...….so we say ok we`ll take it...…..the manager types something and then apologizes and tells us they don't have one ready...….he apologizes again and says but, would you like this...…….and shows us a picture of the Maserati Levante!!!! Now he was talking of a fun car!!!! This would be a nice comparison as we are thinking of buying a Porsche Cayenne next year as a real change form our usual Mercedes...….and it was quite similar looking to this one......although this one wouldn't have as many toys......we were sure it would be fun!!!! We did both wonder if he was going to come up with a new higher price, but said he`d leave it as it was!!!!
We snapped it up in a heartbeat...…...we thought we would pay now, but he said no pay on return...…..as it turned out we were only charged an extra $114 which was a fabulous bargain!!!!
Now, Maserati are a fun car to drive......but ownership of one is something we wouldn't have as they can be notoriously unreliable......but for a week in Orlando we were whooping with joy...………………..
So, signed sealed and agreed upon we set off to the garage to pick up our rental for the week...…..now we were even more excited!!! We love cars......and especially really nice cars like this......and we knew this would be fun...…..of course if you are not at all interested in cars beyond them getting you from A-B then this will be very unimpressive to you...….but we were happy!!!!
When we got to the garage the girl already knew which one we were picking it up as we approached her......I think the manager told her to look out for the two Brits who were grinning foolishly like demented clowns!!! Yep, she spotted us...……
She took us to the side away from the regular cars and had the keys to a white one...….but we had both spotted the black one and asked if we could have that one instead...….sure, was her reply......so she went back to get the keys for it as we inspected around it......it was cool!!!! Really cool!!!! She came back with the keys and we thanked her very much and began to load our luggage in the back and get ourselves comfortable with seats and mirrors and all things cold aircon...….
We loved this car already!!!!!!!!!!!
And then we were off...…..and it was a decent car...….not your basic rental car at all, this thing had some power......and to be fair it did have a good few toys and gadgets to fiddle around with...….although for today we were just concentrating on getting to Sapphire Falls to begin the second part of this bonus trip.
) That’s about the best Yoda you’ll see from me wait I have got that right haven’t I.........it is yoda that speaks like that 
......lol...…..she adores doing that with everyone......but she is getting a little heavier the longer she lays there...…..
wow!!! I was so keen to drive this car!!! 
...….oh dear......I did seem to have a lot of stuff sprawled around...……
...……..I`m so predictable at times...………with tater tots though......that was different.....till Tom reminded me actually it wasn't...…...I ordered that the last time too!!!
along ck...…...always glad to see you...….....….it used to be able to land at the local airport to us as it had a huge runway for the fairly small airport it was......spectacular to watch though, so impressive for being such a tiny aircraft.
