Aquatica and Alligators (Thankfully not at the same time) (31st July and 1st August)

Hello,

I'm almost caught up! I'm up to Friday 31st July, the birthday of J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter. 

We had a lazy morning lounging around in pj's. Once we'd got up and ready we went to Aquatica. 

We went on Omaka Rocka, Whanau Way, went in the rapids and briefly in the wave pool. This was before we were met by torrential rain... The weather this summer has been absolutely rubbish, so much rain. Fair enough it rains every day, but it's usually a shower every afternoon, not this torrential rubbish we're getting. Dad came to pick us up, so we only lasted about an hour and a half, but there was no point in staying when the rides will be closed because of the lightening. 

We came home and had a late lunch. 

I wrote some entries on my blog and we watched 'Home' in the evening. It's an animated film about aliens called 'Boov' that take over Earth, it was quite good. 

As you can tell it was a relatively chill day as far as having loads to write goes. Even though we had to leave Aquatica earlier than intended, we had already had a full day there and you only pay one price and can go back as much as you want for two weeks, so we weren't really missing out.

Today! Wow, I haven't been up to date in so long. Today is the 1st August, although judging from the torrential rain we had you probably wouldn't know it. 

We went to Gatorland. You can probably guess it's a place dedicated to alligators. We've been there a few times before, but today was the first time we've seen the 'Gator Wrestling'. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I don't think the alligator was hurt at all. 

A pile of alligators

Gator Wrestling

Just as the show finished the rain started...and it didn't stop. It was once again a torrential downpour within minutes. We just made it to the gator feeding area which was thankfully undercover. We kept checking the weather maps hoping to see the storm pass over us, but it didn't. 

After huddling by the feeding alligators for quite some time, we made a break for it. I'm so glad I wore flip flops today otherwise I would have been wandering around in soaked socks and shoes again. 

We made it to the section about the white alligators (yep, alligators can be white) and found a dry bench to sit on. I'd bought a nice mango smoothie to pass the time with. Whilst sitting there, shivering, there was a flash of light and literally a second after there was the biggest bang I've ever heard. A lightening bolt must have hit extremely close to us. It made everyone jump.

We were hoping the rain would ease off and eventually stop, after all that's what usually happens in Florida, but we weren't so lucky. In the end we called it quits and left... It's annoying as we still had a lot to do. The bird enclosure is good, you get lollipop sticks with bird feed on and the tiny birds come and land on the sticks or your head and eat the feed, we didn't get to do that though.

On the way home we stopped in Target to pick up some things for dinner, we're having jacket potatoes. 

We've just watched Insurgent, the second film after Divergent. Even though I haven't read the books the film was still really good. 

Lizzie and Meg are going home tomorrow :(. It's gone really quickly...I hope they've had a good time because I certainly have. I'm sure they're looking forward to seeing their families (and cats!). 

I'm not sure what we're going to do now, we're just waiting for the potatoes to cook (the oven's a little temperamental...).

Today, the Big Wide World has taught me: If I'm being chased by an alligator, don't run zig-zags as apparently that's a myth. Also, if I'm not a fast runner I should just trip someone else up. That advice comes from Devan, the Gator Wrestler. Thanks, Devan.

Right, if nothing worth mentioning occurs this evening I shall be back tomorrow (hopefully!).

I hope you all managed plentiful pinching and punching as it's the first of the month, 

L
xxx