KevinT
30-05-2005, 23:45
Having just completed my letter of complaint to the chairman of Excel Airlines about the standard of their service (More of which in
Flying section of forum) I must say that despite the journey problems
we really enjoyed the holiday itself.
It was a landmark birthday for my wife while we were there. Not allowed to say which(but somewhere between 49 and 51[msnwink])so we arranged a few things that I know she likes doing while we were there.
My mother in law usually travels with us. Her first request was to visit Old Town on Saturday night to see the Classic Car Cruise. Unusual request for a 75 year old !! [:O]but she really enjoyed it. She declined the offer of a ride on the Skycoaster or the 0-200 racing cars but stood enthralled looking at the rows of gleaming cars and cheered and clapped as they cruised past. I love the atmosphere of Old Town and we had ribs at Damons[msntongue] and arranged for chair massages at the Spa[^].
First job on the Friday was to check out the house and sort out the few DIY jobs that every owner is faced with. You know ! the ones the MCs don't consider important like loose nut and bolts, wonky toilet seats etc. Not too many jobs this time as the MC had done a good job. Just the table and chairs on the dining set needed tightening up and the foot bar on a six month old breakfast bar stool had a weld broken.(Visions of a six foot - twenty stone individual hoisting himself up using the foot bar only[msneek]). Managed to find a really great welder just five minutes away who did the job in five minutes, Good as new![msnsmile2]
On the Sunday I had booked Sunday Brunch at the Renaissance Hotel near Seaworld as my wife loves eating there. Now for anyone who has never been, this is a marathon eating session which needs careful training. Arriving about 11:30 am you munch your way steadily through 'til about 3pm. The waiter fills your champagne glass, fresh orange juice and water glasses (which get magically topped up every time you drink a quarter[msnwink]) and then you're off!! Starter
tables have every conceivable delight including Strawberry Soup, pastas, salads, fruits, crab claws and other shellfish all set out on tables with ice sculptures and carved vegetables like faces.
Eventually moving on to the main dishes, there was a full carvery
and dishes from all over the world with a huge variety of cooked meats and vegetables. Feeling just a litle bloated by now the dessert table loomed with every type of chocolate gateau , pie (including Key Lime etc)ice cream machine, cakes and a running chocolate fountain for dipping skewered strawbwerries and marshmallows in . By this time the stomach was starting to protest
but the tea, coffee, champagne and orange juice were still flowing.
While we ate , a small jazz combo came round the tables asking for requests. These guys seem to be able to play anything. Often they look surprised and say ' Mmm - does that go something like this?'
And straight away you get a couple of verses of your request.
Next few days were taken up sorting out house requirements with the MC and doing a few small paintwork jobs and visiting shopping malls (to keep he management content!![msnwink]) We also went one evening to the Boardwalk and walked around the lake , watching the fireworks from Epcot around 9pm.
Next small treat arranged was a visit to La Nouba. We never tire of seeing this Cirque de Soleil show, and this time was no exception. They seem to change the show every time we go. As a musician I am fascinated by the guys in the band who are split between two towers, three in one and four in the other, on different sides of the stage, but still manage to keep totally in time. The two singers have
amazing vocal ranges and I spend half my time watching them and missing some of the show. The big stars for me , however , are the small Chinese girls with the diablos. They seem to get more outstanding acrobatics packed into each show and always get a standing ovation at the end of the performance.
On the day of her birthday itself we arranged for afternoon tea a
Flying section of forum) I must say that despite the journey problems
we really enjoyed the holiday itself.
It was a landmark birthday for my wife while we were there. Not allowed to say which(but somewhere between 49 and 51[msnwink])so we arranged a few things that I know she likes doing while we were there.
My mother in law usually travels with us. Her first request was to visit Old Town on Saturday night to see the Classic Car Cruise. Unusual request for a 75 year old !! [:O]but she really enjoyed it. She declined the offer of a ride on the Skycoaster or the 0-200 racing cars but stood enthralled looking at the rows of gleaming cars and cheered and clapped as they cruised past. I love the atmosphere of Old Town and we had ribs at Damons[msntongue] and arranged for chair massages at the Spa[^].
First job on the Friday was to check out the house and sort out the few DIY jobs that every owner is faced with. You know ! the ones the MCs don't consider important like loose nut and bolts, wonky toilet seats etc. Not too many jobs this time as the MC had done a good job. Just the table and chairs on the dining set needed tightening up and the foot bar on a six month old breakfast bar stool had a weld broken.(Visions of a six foot - twenty stone individual hoisting himself up using the foot bar only[msneek]). Managed to find a really great welder just five minutes away who did the job in five minutes, Good as new![msnsmile2]
On the Sunday I had booked Sunday Brunch at the Renaissance Hotel near Seaworld as my wife loves eating there. Now for anyone who has never been, this is a marathon eating session which needs careful training. Arriving about 11:30 am you munch your way steadily through 'til about 3pm. The waiter fills your champagne glass, fresh orange juice and water glasses (which get magically topped up every time you drink a quarter[msnwink]) and then you're off!! Starter
tables have every conceivable delight including Strawberry Soup, pastas, salads, fruits, crab claws and other shellfish all set out on tables with ice sculptures and carved vegetables like faces.
Eventually moving on to the main dishes, there was a full carvery
and dishes from all over the world with a huge variety of cooked meats and vegetables. Feeling just a litle bloated by now the dessert table loomed with every type of chocolate gateau , pie (including Key Lime etc)ice cream machine, cakes and a running chocolate fountain for dipping skewered strawbwerries and marshmallows in . By this time the stomach was starting to protest
but the tea, coffee, champagne and orange juice were still flowing.
While we ate , a small jazz combo came round the tables asking for requests. These guys seem to be able to play anything. Often they look surprised and say ' Mmm - does that go something like this?'
And straight away you get a couple of verses of your request.
Next few days were taken up sorting out house requirements with the MC and doing a few small paintwork jobs and visiting shopping malls (to keep he management content!![msnwink]) We also went one evening to the Boardwalk and walked around the lake , watching the fireworks from Epcot around 9pm.
Next small treat arranged was a visit to La Nouba. We never tire of seeing this Cirque de Soleil show, and this time was no exception. They seem to change the show every time we go. As a musician I am fascinated by the guys in the band who are split between two towers, three in one and four in the other, on different sides of the stage, but still manage to keep totally in time. The two singers have
amazing vocal ranges and I spend half my time watching them and missing some of the show. The big stars for me , however , are the small Chinese girls with the diablos. They seem to get more outstanding acrobatics packed into each show and always get a standing ovation at the end of the performance.
On the day of her birthday itself we arranged for afternoon tea a