Universal studios Orlando!!

Today I was like an excited child who was about to go to Disneyworld for the first time. Oh wait that's literally what I was! Well technically I'm doing Universal. Unfortunately we had a slight delay this morning when we found out our food boxes had acquired some unwanted water overnight but once we'd cleaned them all out and packed up we were in our way. We had decided to get an early start so we could upgrade our tickets and have 2 days at the parks. Make the most of the magic whilst we can.

We dumped the stuff at the camp site and headed to Universal. First stop Universal studios! It was only me, Sinead, and Helen who were upgrading to 2 days but it meant we were able to whip through doing all the rides we wanted. The studios park is more about 3d simulation rides and there are only a few rollercoasters. We went on despicable me where we, for a short while, became minions and went through minion training. Then we did transformers which was the same concept but much more intense and really good. We did twisted which is a tornado experience but was a bit of a let down I thought but when we came out of it there was a parade passing which was cool.

We then went on the best ride of the day... The revenge of the mummy. This was a really cool rollercoaster and its in the dark so you have no idea where you're going and a major plus was it was only a 5 minute queue!! On the whole we were really lucky with the queues, most were only 30-45 minutes. We then headed to the highlight for me. Diagon alley!! This was so cool I was literally freaking out! It was so cool. We went on Escape from Gringotts which had a really long queue which wasn't surprising as it is very new. The inside of the bank was really cool and the ride was fun. We tried on some robes and looked around the shops including Weasly wizziling wheezes where I got a chocolate frog. We came out and had our second lucky strike of the day when we saw the Dragon on top of Gringotts breathe fire!!

We saw the start of the evening show which had cool fireworks and water fountains the before we had to leave. Unfortunately we didn't have time to do the biggest rollercoaster "Rock it" but that's exactly why we did 2 days! By the time we got back I was exhausted and crashed straight away.

Ginnie Springs

It really was heartbreaking to leave Panama City beach. I definitely want to return one day, maybe with my mum and sister, they would adore it!

We had about a four and a half hour drive down to Ginnie springs but changed back time zones so lost another hour. We had lunch on route and then didn't arrive until late afternoon. We set up camp for the last time this trip and headed to the water. Ginnie Springs is known for tubing so that's what we were gonna do but unfortunately by the time we got down there we only had an hour which wasn't enough time to do the whole run so we decided to just go for a swim instead. It was quite weird to swim as its fairly deep and you are just taken along by the current but it was great to cool off in the water.

Back at camp we made a campfire and a bbq and started cooking dinner which was a bbq, peppers with dip (Liz is intent on getting everyone their veggies) and roasted asparagus with honey. It was good. Unfortunately half way through the cooking the lightening which had been quietly happening for a while was joined by thunder and rain. We got soaked! We were holding tarps up over the food and lights half hoping it would pass pretty swiftly but when it didn't a few of us put up our big tent over the bench and our food to keep us out of the rain but by the time we'd done it we were sodden!! It could definitely have been much worse considering it's hurricane season so all in all we got off lightly!!

DIY shelter.

Panama city beach

Today I woke up to the best view of the the beach and wasted no time getting ready grabbing a croissant for breakfast and getting down to the beach! The beach just continued as far as you could see in either direction. The sun was shining, the water was a perfect temperature and we were ready to just relax in the sun.

What a view!

In the afternoon we all decided to go on a 3 and 1/2 hour boat ride that took us the gulf of Mexico and let us go snorkelling. It was so much fun. It wasn't too hot with the ocean breeze so we could relax in the sun on the ride out. Snorkelling was great fun. We were able to jump in from the boat and saw loads of cool fish, hermit crabs and sand dollars. Some of the group even saw some little stingrays! Emily even got in and went snorkelling which we were really proud of her for as she doesn't know how to swim and has never been in the ocean higher then her ankles but today she got on a life jacket and went for it!

On the way back most of us were tired and very relaxed and were beginning to fall asleep when suddenly one of the crew and Tom soaked with ice cold water using this supermarket pump but it felt more like we'd had a whole bucket dumped on us! We then had a shell call competition to see who could make to loudest and longest call in a shell (Tom won), hula hooping, the macarena and we even spotted a couple of dolphins just before we docked!!

We went to a place called "Dicks last resort" for dinner. It's famous for the terrible service by the rude and crude waiters. It was so much fun but definitely only suited to people who can take a joke. It wasn't a tidy place and there was a lot of shouting but we were laughing the whole time by the no nonsense sarcastic waiters. They also make hats for everyone with a line about you. I got off VERY lightly but they were all funny and we had a good laugh about them. The service and food was actually really good though and I would love to go again for the comedic service. Before heading back to the hotel we stopped at a little fun fair and I went on the fastest twizzler ride I've ever gone on!!

My hat from "Dicks"

From gators to the beach!

It was sad to say goodbye to New Orleans. It was a great place and so nice to be in a hotel but it didn't take long to get over it and find a new love as we headed to Panama city where we would be by the beach and in another hotel (after deciding to take money out the food kitty to fund it).

On the way out of New Orleans we went to Honey island for a swamp tour. This was another highlight of the trip. Before we even got in the boat we saw some huge alligators these guys had just caught and shot except one wasn't quite dead yet and flipped around snapping at the guy. It was terrifying. Nevertheless we then hopped into the boat to go out to the gator infested swamp. It was reassuring to hear though that no one had ever actually does from a gator attack in Louisiana, a fair few limbs have been disposed of though. The gators were a good size and they got very close to the boat. Our guide Brian fed them so they jumped clean out the water. It was terrifying but extremely cool. We also saw turtles handsome cool dragonflies.

The drive to Panama city was a long one. It was a 5 hour drive but it felt longer after the swamp tour. I had a really great sleep and read my book most of the way. We eventually arrived at 8pm and it was already dark. The hotel is unbelievably nice!! Especially considering it's only $25 a night and the money was just taken out of what we'd already given to the food kitty. Our room is on the 6th floor and has a beach view! The pool is great and there's a hot tub, both of which we tested as soon as we got here. We also decided to run into the sea as we are literally are literally door to door with the beach! It was great, I literally can't describe how amazing it is! I can't wait for tomorrow!

New Orleans. Food, market and culture.

I got the longest lie in I've had in 3 months today!! My alarm woke me up at 9am, I got breakfast then chilled at the pool for an hour or so. It was great! It was only 31 degrees today, so much cooler then it has been. The perfect temperature.We went for brunch together at about noon to a place called "The ruby slipper". I had a banana and raisin french toast type thing with bacon and sausage. It was amazing. I am really loving New Orleans food!

We then split up and went to do our own thing around town. A bunch of us headed to the French market and looked around the various stalls and we met quite a character at one who was 'reading' people's faces. We then headed towards the river passing a jazz band playing on the way. The Mississippi river was cool but to be honest a rivers a river. We went to Jackson Square and saw some beautiful architecture and there was more jazz music. I then got my first ever tarot card reading from a famous voodoo tarot card reader. It was a bit of fun and quite interesting.

Mississippi river

Jackson Square

We headed back to the hotel and I went swimming on the pool then did some laundry and ordered a pizza in for dinner with Laura and Lucy whilst the rest of the group went on a ghost tour. It was so nice to chill. I even get an early night!

New Orleans A.K.A beds and air con!!

Today was our longest journey of the trip with a 7 hour journey down to New Orleans! But we're all pretty excited because New Orleans means 2 nights in a hotel which means air con!! It has been so hot at nights! Even with no covers and a vest top, it's still too hot!! The first half of the trip flew by mostly because we were all asleep for at least 2 hours (most people even longer) of it and I've got to say it was probably one of the best sleeps I've ever had in a van/car.

Travelling can really take it out if you..

We took a few stops and then arrived in New Orleans a little after 4pm. We took some time to chill which was great! I took some time to have a swim, have a shower and get ready. The hotel is amazing! It's 2 people to a room and we've all got double beds! Such luxury!! I'm sharing  room with Helen and our room is in a great location, steps from the pool on the ground floor!!

Pretty excited about the room!

View from our room!

We headed out to the town and had a very brief look around on our way to our restaurant for dinner. We ate at Oceana which I can only imagine is THE best restaurant in New Orleans. I had gator fir a starter. That's right I ate alligator and it was a delicious! My main was called "Taste of New Orleans" it had some fish things, sausage, jambalaya and rice, again it was delicous. I was stuffed by the end but Liz highly recommended the Banana fosters ice cream pie for dessert so me and her split it. It was worth it. It was covered on fruit and I can't even describe how amazing the meal was but I would come back to New Orleans for that meal alone!! Once we were back at the hotel I took a bit of a dip with Lucy and Gemma before heading to bed for the night. It's crazy how much difference a hotel makes compared to a campsite!

Memphis. Home of the King.

It wasn't as early a start today and once we were up we had a 3 hour drive to Memphis. There's a lot of driving to do and we've covering a lot of miles. This is a very fast paced trip and we're constantly on the go so there's not much time to chill by the pool but it's great because we get to do so much and I have time to chill on the beach in Miami after the trek.

3 hour drive? Bring it on!!

We arrived in Memphis at around 3 and had lunch then walked across the parking lot to Graceland, home of the king! We got tickets to get a tour and see all his cars, planes and more! The house was awesome and the decor was very one of a kind. We saw his grave which is in the meditation garden behind the house. It wasn't his original gravesite but his father decided to move both him and his mother there a few years after Elvis passed away. We also saw all his awards, records and jumpsuits (there are loads of them all!).

We saw a big selection of Elvis' cars all of which are very stylish. I loved the Cadillac's in particular. We then saw 2 of his planes. The most impressive was the Lisa Marie, named after his daughter and nicknamed Houndog 1. The plane was amazing. There was a living room, conference room/dining room, another lounge area and Elvis' bedroom. There was also 2 bathroom on board the sinks of which were covered in flakes of gold!

Once we got back to camp we cooked dinner. We did a classic bangers and mash meal. It was good to have a classic English meal and I believe it was the first time Liz ever had it!  It took a while to cook so we weren't done until 9pm but then Liz had a surprise for us and a pink limousine rolled up to take us down down the road for dessert! The dessert was good! I had a chocolate fudge brownie sundae and it was pretty big but was only $5!