2015 Day 2 - Washington

The dreaded silly o'clock wake up!  4.30am altho I did manage to snooze for another hour before I gave up. Sarah was a little later but the boys did much better.

We headed out ready for our day about 8 o'clock,  stopping at a lovely bakery, The Corner Bakery, just a couple of blocks from our hotel on 14th st.  After eating our toasted breakfast pannini's we headed off for the sights of Washington.   The sun was already hot and the forecast was for 98f with high humidity.

We stopped to look at the Treasury building before our first official stop, The White House ...

Slightly disappointed that this is nowhere near as big as it looks on tv or in comparison to other Washington sights.

We carried on towards the Mall and the George Washington obelisk.  At 520ft high it is impressive from all around the Mall area.

George Washington Memorial

WWII Memorial

Already feeling uncomfortably hot we kept to a path shaded with the famous cherry trees, wrong time of year for blooms but the leaves gave welcome relief from the sun, and headed west.  Past the fountains of the WWII monument and the reflection pool to the Lincoln Memorial.   Now this is very impressive, large with magnificent column.  We climbed the steps and entered to see Abraham Lincoln on his chair.  This was one monument I had been looking forward to and it didn't disappoint. It also had a stunning view back along The Mall towards Capitol Hill.

We walked on  round the tidal basin stopping at The Vietnam, the Roosevelt and the Jefferson memorials.

Vietnam Memorial

Jefferson Memorial from across the tidal basic

Martin Luther King Memorial

Part of the Roosevelt Memorial

Jefferson Memorial

By now it was heading towards mid day, Stephen needed a break, the heat was becoming too much for me and we all needed to freshen up so we headed back to the hotel for a couple of hours.  We really weren't prepared for the heat and humidity. We paused on the walk back to get some milkshakes from one of a number of vendors lining a nearby street.

The air conditioning soon worked its magic back in the hotel and Stephen and I popped to the subway across the road to grab a couple of footlongs, crisps and drinks for us to share.

The heat and jet lag was making us really tired but we only have a couple of days here so we decided to do a museum.  The Smithsonian Natural History Museum is fab, loads to see and like all the Smithsonion's well organised and huge.

At about 6.15 we headed out for some dinner at Five Guys, then walked back past the Smithsonions to meet with our evening tour guide.  I had booked an electric cart night tour - large golf buggy.  Our guide, Amber, was fab, very friendly and bubbly and full of stories and knowledge about all the sights of Washington.  A great 2 hrs.

Another part of the Roosevelt Memorial

We were dropped near an underground station, so with little other choice at just gone 10pm we braved the Metro.    It was pain free and saved our legs. Four stops and we were back at The Hamilton and soon into bed.

A very hot and busy day, but we have thoroughly enjoyed it.  A beautiful city that is easy to navigate with its grid layout and numbered and lettered street, Sarah's ocd tendencies fully catered for!!! :)

Click here for trip index

Travel Day 1 - Off to Washington!

Will post here later.

And we're off!!

Our flight from Heathrow to Washington Dulles was not until 4.30 this afternoon, so it was a bit weird having a lazy start, we usually go on the morning flight to Orlando.  We had breakfast and finished packing before setting off just after 12.15.

We had arranged for Purple Parking Meet and Greet and this was very easy, just park the car in one of the allocated spaces and walk through to the desk to leave the keys.

Because we had done online check in last night, it was a quick and easy process to drop off the cases.  Through security and then relax before boarding.

Flight was on time and went quite quickly.  On-demand entertainment kept everyone busy.

On arrival at Dulles immigration and bag collection was quick but there was a massive queue at security!

Eventually we made our way out and followed the signs for ground transportation.  The Washington Flyer Taxi was easy to find and we were soon on our way towards the city, the driver pointing out the Lincoln Memorial and White House as we went past.

Our hotel was The Hamilton Crowne Plaza (free on Keith IHG points).  Lovely hotel, not too large and beautifully furnished.  The boys had a front corner room on the 9th floor and Sarah and I had a 7th floor room.

The Hamilton Crowne Plaza, corner of 14th and K Street.

Girls room!  What is it with all the cushions on the bed!  filled the floor every night just to get into bed!

It had been a long day and we decided to get to bed ready for what would probably be an early start tomorrow.

Click here for trip index 

Pre 2015 trip

After months of planning our next trip is nearly here and we are being a bit more adventurous this time.  Flights, hotels, car and route is booked and planned for a trip that starts in Washington DC and ends in Orlando.

We are hoping to see many of the monuments and famous buildings in DC.  Sarah is really hoping to visit some of the Smithsonian Museums.  We also have an Electric Cart Night Tour booked to see the sights lit up.  After a couple of days in the city we are off on a coaster tour starting with Six Flags America, then south to Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  Then west to the Blue Ridge Mountains for an overnight stop.  After two days looking at the scenery its back to the coaster tour with a stop at Carowinds then on to Atlanta and Six Flags over Georgia.  We then have the long drive south to Orlando where we have a villa booked for 11 nights.  At the moment there are no fixed plans for these days but I'm not sure we can be in Orlando and not do any parks - we shall see.

Click here for trip index

Day 14 Universal and Islands of Adventure

After a slow start and a late decision to go back to Universal, we missed breakfast.  We ended up around lunch time stopping at the Beverly Hills Boulangerie at Universal Studios sharing a couple of Breakfast Croissants. 

We were quite impressed, they tasted lovely and were a reasonable portion for park food.

Think we probably had a few snacks at the villa - trying to finish whatever was left in the fridge, plus crisps!

We decided to try the Outback Steakhouse tonight.  This was a bit difficult to find as it was hidden behind some shops just off the 192 but it was well worth searching for.

Unfortunately we didn't take pics as I had left the sd card in the netbook at the villa and Keith didn't have his phone.  Starter was obviously going to be their famous Bloomin Onion, looked a bit like this ...

Looking back at the receipt, for mains we had:
Keith - Alice Springs Chicken, Linda - 6oz sirloin, Sarah - Chicken Tenders and Stephen - Burger.   Total with drinks $83.67 (approx £53)

Day 13 SeaWorld

Unfortunately I can't remember what we had for breakfast this day (that's what happens when you leave it a couple of months before finishing off the trip report!)  I would think that we probably had something in the villa before we left as we got to SeaWorld early today.

While watching the Shamu show we bought some snacks.  Keith had some crisps (probably Lays!), Sarah had a packet of popcorn and I had a Shamu shaped pretzel - this was pretty awful - very dry and tough! Would sadly have to advise not to bother with this.  We also took a couple of frozen drinks in with us.

Whilst waiting to see if the rides reopened after the afternoon storm we stopped (I think) at the Cypress Bakery.  Keith and I shared a carrot cake while Sarah and Stephen had a slice of chocolate cake.  These were both very yummy.

The kids had both mentioned that they would like to have a chinese takeaway and stay in for the evening.  Keith isn't a big fan of chinese takeaway so we decided to pop to Berry Town Centre and get the kids a takeaway (sorry no pics but think they had rice, sweet and sour chicken and a chow mein dish).  They said it was very nice.

Keith and I decided that we would leave them in the villa while we went to the Santa Fe Cattle Co just a bit north on the US27.  Wish we had been earlier in the holiday as we would definately have returned for a second visit.

We started with the Texas Toothpicks (strips of onion and jalapenos).  These were amazing.

For mains we had a "Wagon Full".  A sharing platter of steaks, ribs and chicken plus 4 sides - think we had caesar salad, coleslaw and 2 x fries.  This was a huge amount of food, but it was fabulous and excellent value for money.  Nearly forgot to take a pic - some food already gone by the time I remembered.

No room for dessert unfortunately.
Can't find the receipt for this but have a menu which says the Toothpicks were $7.99 and the Wagon Full $29.99.  Total for food + tax (without drink) - $40.25 (approx £25).   Keith had a beer and I had a diet coke.

2013 trip index

Trip Index for 2013 Trip (Aug 13th - 29th)

Day 0 Travel Day 

Day 1 Sea World
Day 2 Busch Gardens
Day 3 Shopping and golf
Day 4 Kennedy Space Centre
Day 5 Showcase of Citrus
Day 6 Universal Studios
Day 7 Islands of Adventure
Day 8 Rest day and Cheesecake Factory
Day 9 GCSE Results and Busch Gardens
Day 10 Clearwater Beach and SeaScreamer
Day 11 Shopping and Swimming
Day 12  Crazy Golf and Pool Time
Day 13 Sea World
Day 14 Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Day 15 Travel Home day :(

Day 15 - Time to go home :(

Sad day today - our holiday is over :(

We are up just before 6.30 and pack the last of our stuff into the cases and Keith loaded them into the car. 

Nice easy drive back the Orlando International Airport but we nearly missed the turn off for the car park to return to the rental car - nicely hidden just round a left hand bend!!

Check in was quick - Delta have lots of machines that are easy to use and then it was over to the desk for bag drop.  Lady on the desk was very pleasant and light hearted and took the mickey out of Keith's passport photo.

There was a long queue at security but we were through in about 30-35 mins although it was a bit of a free for all.

Ready for some breakfast now we ended up with Sausage or Bacon Egg Muffins (very similar to McD's - think the place was called Nathan's although not sure).

It was soon time for boarding our flight to Boston.

Approx 3 hr flight (no inflight entertainment) went smoothly.  Checked with the staff as we left the plane that our bags would be loaded straight on to London and we didn't need to collect.  We had approx 5 hr wait til our London flight but they did tell us it would probably go from the gate next to where we had come in.

We ambled round the airport for a while to pass the time - not many shops here so we had a look to see what we wanted to for lunch.  We were hoping there would be an Outback or similar (we had seen one at Orlando before we left!) but no.  We all chose a burger from Fuddruckers.  They were nice burgers and a reasonable price.

Headed back to gate 19 where we sat and played with our electronic gadgets and people watched.  Eventually our flight was boarding.

Just as the aircraft was pushing back all the cabin lights went out.  The captain came on and explained that there was an electrical problem but it wouldn't stop us flying, it was only usedwhilst on the ground.  After a few minutes we started moving back towards the gate.  Another message from the captain informed us that we had a medical emergency on board and we were returning to the gate to let the paramedics on board.  It took approx 1.20mins for the paramedics to treat and then take off to a waiting ambulance a man who had collapsed.

Finally in the air we settled in for the 6 hr flight.  It was a little bumpy, but OK.  Food could have been better but we managed ;)  Inflight Entertainment system was even better on here than on the way to Atlanta.  When we originally booked we thought there would be only overhead cabin tv's but the 767's have been having a refurb and the plane was like new inside - new seats, carpets and inflight entertainment - excellent.

Despite the delay in taking off we had managed to make up most of the time and only landed about 10 mins later than scheduled.  Unfortunately the skyway that allows passengers to walk off the plane had an electric fault and wouldn't reach the aircraft.  We then had to wait for some steps to be brought to the rear of the plane and a fleet of coaches to take us to the terminal.

Baggage reclaim was quick (had taken approx 45 to start getting us off the plane so bags where there before us).

Quick call to Meet and Greet and our car was returned to us in the car park opposite.  Great efficient service, would definately use again.

No photos today - sorry again!! but once you've seen one airport and plane you really don't need to see any more. 

Travel day today was less stressful than I had thought and the long wait at Boston was not really a problem.  Would definately consider Delta and indirect again - it was worth the saving made on direct!

Back home now, and missing Florida already - the sun, the food, the pool - sigh! 

I will try and update the food blog sometime (and maybe add prices too, have tried to keep all receipts!)

Hope you have enjoyed reading.
Till next time ...