Still too darn hot
Trip Start
Sep 21, 2009
1
17
19
Trip End
Oct 23, 2009
Where I stayed
Miami, Florida
Monday, October 12, 2009
The next day, we just made it to Shark Valley Visitor Centre, in the northern part of the Everglades, in time for a 2-hour tram tour, guided by a National Parks Service ranger. I must say, we have been very lucky to have enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guides. There was a big emphasis on the local plants and birds, which didn't really interest me, but it was pleasant enough. And this time we managed to see several wild alligators, including a large one which was lying across a walking path, not intending to go anywhere! So we were happy - we have had a bear experience and now an alligator experience.
From the Everglades, we went straight to the Miami Seaquarium (still using our Go Cards), which was both interesting and a little sad - in terms of looking quite run-down and old-fashioned, and because of the animal shows, which were of the type not seen in Australia since the 60s/70s - dolphins and seals doing tricks far beyond what would be their "natural behaviours" (as emphasised at our own Seaworld on the Gold Coast). I cringed a bit at what they were doing, but had to admit it was entertaining, and the treasures loved it. There was hardly anyone there, so we had ringside "splash zone" seats and yes, T1 came out absolutely soaked from the killer whale show! She also managed to become part of the sea lion show, when the actor borrowed her hat and sat next to her, trying to "hide".
The killer whale was just magnificent, but you couldn't help but think of "Free Willy".
The next day we were scheduled to fly to Atlanta and then San Diego, and another horrid day of air travel it was! The seats were uncomfortable, we sat on the plane for well over half an hour before taking off and they scheduled our second flight with so little stopover time that we had to sprint to another concourse with loads of carry-on bags and barely made the flight (and those who know me will be laughing right now at the idea of me sprinting anywhere!). On the 5-hour flight from Atlanta to San Diego, we were seated in the only seats on the plane which didn't have functioning sound for the video screens - and I didn't appreciate being treated like a child when I complained. I suspect the flight attendant whose only suggestion was that I send my children in various directions on the plane to sit in the middle of strangers, did not have children herself. So my tip? Don't fly Delta - they suck!!!
