12.26

 

We (4 guys and 3 gals) departed from Rolla in the early morning and expected to arrived in Orlando before midnight. However, due to the traffic jam in Nashville, which stopped us about 3 hrs, we spent almost 24 hrs getting our destination. When we hit bed, it's almost 5 am, 12.27.

 

 

12.27

 

Universal Studio

 

 

It's our first shot in Orlando theme parks. Every one of us was exiced, although we went through a long drive the day before. We wisely made up our minds to buy the express ticket, with which we avoid long and boring queues, even though it costs 110 bucks each. What impressed me most are 4-D movie Shrek, Back to the future, and the ride 'Revenge of the mummy', and the Fear Factor live show. Although it's not my frist time to take 4-D or 3-D movie, I have to admit that the movies shown in Universal Studio is uncomparable.

 

Revenge of the mummy gave us a great shock. With respect to roller coster, it may not catch up with those in Six Flags, but the background settings and decorations in the house are very vivid which brought us into the cursed mummy world. Fantastic!

 

Fear Factor is a TV program which I bet nobody is unfamiliar with. When we saw the competitors in walk distance drank the smashed bugs, splanch with sour milk, we were totally shocked.

 

We left the park around 8 pm and rushed to Miami without dinner.

 

 

12. 28

 

Miami South Beach and KeyWest night life

 

 

 

When I got up, I can feel the tropical Miami from the sunshine, the moistrous wind, the high palm trees, and numerous topless girls on the beach. It's my first time to catch a view of Atlantic Ocean, it's pretty cleaner than the sea I visited before.

 

Keywest is the island at the south corner of Florida. We tasted the 25 buck seafood buffet in a 'cyber famous' resteraunt, but I should say it could be better. There were a great number of bars and night clubs in the downtown, with various kinds of live bands performing there, also with various visitors from different countries. We stopped by a bar, but with certain reasons, just spent 10 minutes there. If possible, I'd like to spend one more week in Keywest to enjoy night life there.

 

We went back around 1 am and were planning to get up arond 5am for Dry Tortugas NP journey the next day. It's my first time to share one room with other 6 friends together. It's a miracle.

 

12. 29

 

Dry Tortugas

 

 

We nearly lost the opportunity to get on the island of Dry Tortugas 80 miles from Keywest, coz the seats were not available. But thankgoodness, we finally made it for someone else quit. 

 

When we stepped onto the soft white sand beach of Dry Tortugas, we were totally amazed by the Caribbean ocean view. The sea was so transparent that it looks green when it's shallow, while blue when deep. When snorkeling around the island, we actually swam among colorful coral, tropical fish, and various underwater plant, just like we watched on TV program before. It's my first experience of snorkelling. I were not an experienced swimmer, and got a taste of the sea water. Gosh, it's incredibly salty.

 

When getting  back, we encountered T-Storm, the boat we took vibrated all the way along. Most of the guys on board got sick. Although I sticked for a while, I could not help getting sick at last.

 

we left Keywest to Orlando without dinner that evening and checked in hotel at the early morning.

 

 

12.30

 

Sea World

 

 

the show called "Believe" impressed me most. The ponderous killer whales, Shamu, could even jump out of water and intentionally poured water to the audience. Moreover, it told us a moving story about heritage of love and passion to the job of shamu protection. Everything is so perfect. So other shows like dophin shows and sea lion shows also appealed me. What's more, we took a water ride there, even though no express ticket this time, and went through a long queue.

 

12. 31

 

Disney- Magic Kingdom

 

 

We spent our last day tour in one of the Disney theme parks, also the famous one, Magic Kingdom. The park is absolutedly very luxious. We even had to change two trains to get the gate of the park. Although Magic Kingdom is designed for kids, we could find out something for fun there. Cuz it's the last day of 2006, innumerable visitors came there so as to wait the new year coming together.

 

We followed our plan to visit Tomorrow Land first, where we got the famous in-door roller coster called "Space Mountain". The train twisted and turned in the universe background. A large number of stars shined around. It felt like space flying or time travelling. Amazing! 

 

In the afternoon, we got a sight of parade of disney cartoons. Wow, snowwhite is absolutely gorgeous.  Mickey and Donald are so so so cute!

 

At night, we went through the count-down in the front of the castle of cinderella. The firework show celebrated of the birth of a new era. I never saw a firework show like this before! Great!

 

Thanks for all the friends accompany... You re all nice.