schumigirl
It's a bit of a roodie doodie word for lady parts
- Joined
- May 15, 2007
TRAVEL DAY CONT..........
So we all stand up when the seatbelt sign goes off and begin to collect our belongings together........the cabin door is opened fairly quickly and we all jockey for position to go stand in another line.......weird, but we do it........we had seen one of the Virgin Jumbo`s had beaten us in today so that meant immigration lines would be long. And of course the work that was going on at MCO meant it was a little convoluted there.......so we thank CC for taking such good care of us and we exit the aircraft that has got us here safely again. I always say a little thank you as we get off another safe flight.........
So, now is the bit we had been rather foolishly worrying about.....well I had, Tom was fine and guessed it would be a given. Although we have no reason to be worried at all, I still do..........
We join a very long line of pax all waiting for the immigration checks we go through to enter the country, and todays line was long. We hear a woman shout any Americans or Global Entry come forward........we had been told to make ourselves known to a TSA officer and we would complete the final part of the process here. You didn't need an appointment, just turn up. So here we were...........we spoke to her in front of a very curious bunch of people who began listening in as I explained we had to complete the process......I showed her the forms we had printed off and she very confidently told us that wasn't enough we needed a card and needed to have a confirmed appointment. For one horrible second it went through my mind I had done something wrong and she was correct and we would be on the next plane home.........but, I told her it said on the TSA website we could do this.......she said for us to wait there and wait we did. I could see folks very curious as to what we were doing just as she appeared back and said to come with her..........so we walked all the way to the front of the line and she told us to see the officer at number 10 when she was free. I think it annoyed quite a lot who were waiting when we were ushered over to the Officer.
So, we explained what we were there to do and she said no problem.......she did ask for our ESTA print out.....the one thing we hadn't printed out.......she explained if the system went down we needed to prove we had it......we would absolutely have it next time. So, she looked at our print out and said she didn't recognize it.....it was different to previous ones...but she asked the Officer behind and she confirmed that she had seen them and it was fine........so she processed us and took our picture.....even told us to smile........in the UK you are not allowed to smile for driving licences or passports.........so it`s unusual being told to smile.........this Officer was lovely actually and very human, you could have a nice conversation with her while she processed it.
She then told us to go back to a machine at the rear of this area, put our passports in and tick the correct code when it came up......she said if a certain code didn't come up, cancel and come back to her......but come back to her anyway........so we did and were very nervous (why I don't know) that the right code came up.......it did!!! Big relief.........so again, we went back to the front and again annoyed a family who were next to see this officer......we went straight back to her and she said yep, you now have Global Entry.......yay!!! All that worry over the last few weeks........but, it`s what I do best..........we thanked her for her help profusely and exited the Immigration area......and a very short walk to luggage retrieval.......
Our luggage should have been first off as we had priority..........so we waited, and waited.......and then waited some more.........yep, guess who`s was almost last off........most of the luggage with Priority on them were near the end of the bags offloaded.........we did laugh at this point.......not much more to do. And as I wandered to the bathroom finally, our luggage appeared.........we were just glad it was there and not somewhere else.
We finally exit the baggage area.........we get on a monorail straight away and before we know it we are in the airport itself and heading down to car rental desks........I was following Tom and noticed he had stopped.....I thought Alamo was further on.......so I glanced up to see a very bemused guy in his 30`s smile and wonder who I was......I had followed the wrong guy.......oops!!!!! Tom was way ahead and had turned to see where I was and was laughing as I apologized to this young man for following him......he just laughed too........so I caught up with Tom and we went straight to the Alamo desk. This is fun......we don't need any upgrades or extras, and the last few years they haven't even tried so this was surprise when this very enthusiastic young man offered us every upgrade possible.......he was met with a bunch of no thank you`s.......he was a tryer.
We set off over to the garage and spoke to Alamo there and showed them the upgrade note we had from the manager from our last visit........it`s easier to deal with them in there than the desk staff. So we ended up with a BMW (we don't like BMW) X3..........but it was fine. And white......don't like white cars either.........but it would get us from A-B and that was all that mattered. It did have a satnav that we hadn't asked for and did have more power than the last few cars we had driven from Alamo.
We sorted out the luggage and got mirrors and seats in position and the all important air conditioning........it was lovely and hot.......
We were on the road in a few minutes..........and how we loved the familiarity of this journey back home......albeit a different home this time.......everything is so familiar and we love that first journey back when we land. I had put my hand luggage in the trunk, so no pics of landmarks as we get closer like the Eye........but as we got closer to the top of Universal Boulevard we could see some rather unusual amounts of traffic as we approached the bridge where you can see RP and SF.........
Of course Friday night.........Grad Bash was on.......so many buses and cars all heading for Universal........but, it may have taken a few extra minutes, but didn't affect us. As we turned into Hollywood Way we saw the familiar turn into RP and it was strange passing it by to go somewhere else........but only a few moments on we are turning into Sapphire Falls for the first time.
It is a pretty hotel and has the added advantage of having a multi storey parking garage.........this will be a blessing if it rains was my very perceptive comment about now........we drove up to level 2 and unloaded the car and walked to the elevator which was almost right beside us. This took us down and you can walk all the way under a cover till the main doorway or you can turn into the convention area and appear in the lobby that way too......we chose the regular door.
Walking in felt lovely.........we knew the hotel well as we had visited many times to enjoy the pleasures of StrongWater Tavern......so it wasn't strange to us....and it is so pretty.......it`s large and airy and very light....doesn't feel cavernous at all. Tom went to the bathroom and I stood with our luggage till he got back. I was daydreaming when I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye.........I almost yelped in delight when I saw our friend.....he had waited for us to arrive tonight........awww.......big hugs all round. I was thrilled to see him as I assumed he`d have gone home by now.......but here he was. At that point Tom came out and was over the moon too to see him........and he walked us over to the check in desk where he got us checked in while we chatted away.......
He then escorted us up to our room which thrilled us again, he always makes us feel so special.......and we were over the moon to see The Sapphire Suite......wow!!!!! We were in the sought after Guest House 2, this was where we wanted to be......This suite is beautiful........we had seen it before when he gave us a tour 2 years ago, but we had forgotten how lovely it was........and we had the lagoon view he knew we`d love.....straight over to RP!!! We were so happy........this felt so right to stay here and definitely felt as much like home as RP is.
He showed us around again and eventually we said our goodbyes as he was heading home.......we were so grateful to him for everything........
We didn't move the luggage yet......just took some pictures.........
Wow!!!! We were loving this.........and the view was perfect........I couldn't wait till it was fully dark to see everything all lit up.......
Then our doorbell rang.......it felt weird hearing a doorbell........I looked out and there was no one there.....or so I thought........then a young man appeared and said he had a gift for us........wow again......we had only just arrived..........
This was just beautiful........I opened the card with the tray it was from our friend!!!! What a kind thought from him......we would certainly enjoy all of this......strawberries were lush and my favourite cheeses were on the platter!!!! We were so grateful to him for being so thoughtful........ever felt so content you could cry....yep. We had a massive hug and then thought we had to start unpacking.........all while nibbling the lovely platter that we had received........perfect.
Once we unpacked and freshened up, we headed down to our favourite bar........StrongWater.........yep, we had been here many times........the food is divine and right up our street, and the cocktails are heavenly.....and strong!!!! But this had to be our first stop tonight on our first night......
It wasn't overly busy and we got seated easily..........the young man who plays the guitar was on tonight, he is very good and not too loud so you can still hear yourself talk........I get my ipad out and send a thank you email straight away........
Our first drink was indeed welcome.......we finally met Tyler, he consistently gets fabulous reviews for service but we had never had him take care of us although we had heard a lot about him......and he was nice......I ordered my favourite French Berry Daiquiri and Tom went for a Blue Moon
They were lovely!!! And very welcome.........
We sat for a while before we decided to order food........I am always keen to try their new dishes and they had changed the menu since we were there in March........so we opted for the new Florida Ceviche which claimed to be spicy........a beef and pineapple skewer dish and plain old beef sliders......not very exotic but Tom likes them.........
Instead of another strong cocktail I ordered a glass of wine......and it was nice too.........we thoroughly enjoyed our food, it was delicious.......we shared everything except the rather alarmingly green cilantro flavoured sauce....we hate cilantro....so we left it.....but everything else is wonderful. And the ceviche was indeed spicy.........Tyler mentioned he thought he knew us.....we laughed and said we had been in once or twice.......lol........
We sat for a while and paid the check then wandered out to the outdoor area and took a couple of pictures before heading up to our room........the view here is just lovely.......
We took a couple in the lobby too........very peaceful area at this time of night...........
And one of the pool that we wished we had the energy to go in tonight..........
But, we had hit that wall.......we had been awake for so long by now.......and with having a wine and a strong cocktail, I was exhausted now......but we did giggle how nice it was not to have to walk all the way back over to RP from StrongWater.........
Our suite was so cosy with the lights on and felt warm and welcoming........turndown had already been before we got into the room, so we had opened everything, but I love coming back in when all the drapes are drawn and dimmed lights are on.
But for tonight, it was a shower and into the exceptionally comfortable bed........it was large and we had plenty of room. We have a big bed at home so always appreciate a bed of similar size. I slightly opened the bedroom drapes as we put the lights off........I do love dropping off while seeing the place lit up. And I did think we would sleep well tonight.
So we all stand up when the seatbelt sign goes off and begin to collect our belongings together........the cabin door is opened fairly quickly and we all jockey for position to go stand in another line.......weird, but we do it........we had seen one of the Virgin Jumbo`s had beaten us in today so that meant immigration lines would be long. And of course the work that was going on at MCO meant it was a little convoluted there.......so we thank CC for taking such good care of us and we exit the aircraft that has got us here safely again. I always say a little thank you as we get off another safe flight.........
So, now is the bit we had been rather foolishly worrying about.....well I had, Tom was fine and guessed it would be a given. Although we have no reason to be worried at all, I still do..........
We join a very long line of pax all waiting for the immigration checks we go through to enter the country, and todays line was long. We hear a woman shout any Americans or Global Entry come forward........we had been told to make ourselves known to a TSA officer and we would complete the final part of the process here. You didn't need an appointment, just turn up. So here we were...........we spoke to her in front of a very curious bunch of people who began listening in as I explained we had to complete the process......I showed her the forms we had printed off and she very confidently told us that wasn't enough we needed a card and needed to have a confirmed appointment. For one horrible second it went through my mind I had done something wrong and she was correct and we would be on the next plane home.........but, I told her it said on the TSA website we could do this.......she said for us to wait there and wait we did. I could see folks very curious as to what we were doing just as she appeared back and said to come with her..........so we walked all the way to the front of the line and she told us to see the officer at number 10 when she was free. I think it annoyed quite a lot who were waiting when we were ushered over to the Officer.
So, we explained what we were there to do and she said no problem.......she did ask for our ESTA print out.....the one thing we hadn't printed out.......she explained if the system went down we needed to prove we had it......we would absolutely have it next time. So, she looked at our print out and said she didn't recognize it.....it was different to previous ones...but she asked the Officer behind and she confirmed that she had seen them and it was fine........so she processed us and took our picture.....even told us to smile........in the UK you are not allowed to smile for driving licences or passports.........so it`s unusual being told to smile.........this Officer was lovely actually and very human, you could have a nice conversation with her while she processed it.
She then told us to go back to a machine at the rear of this area, put our passports in and tick the correct code when it came up......she said if a certain code didn't come up, cancel and come back to her......but come back to her anyway........so we did and were very nervous (why I don't know) that the right code came up.......it did!!! Big relief.........so again, we went back to the front and again annoyed a family who were next to see this officer......we went straight back to her and she said yep, you now have Global Entry.......yay!!! All that worry over the last few weeks........but, it`s what I do best..........we thanked her for her help profusely and exited the Immigration area......and a very short walk to luggage retrieval.......
Our luggage should have been first off as we had priority..........so we waited, and waited.......and then waited some more.........yep, guess who`s was almost last off........most of the luggage with Priority on them were near the end of the bags offloaded.........we did laugh at this point.......not much more to do. And as I wandered to the bathroom finally, our luggage appeared.........we were just glad it was there and not somewhere else.
We finally exit the baggage area.........we get on a monorail straight away and before we know it we are in the airport itself and heading down to car rental desks........I was following Tom and noticed he had stopped.....I thought Alamo was further on.......so I glanced up to see a very bemused guy in his 30`s smile and wonder who I was......I had followed the wrong guy.......oops!!!!! Tom was way ahead and had turned to see where I was and was laughing as I apologized to this young man for following him......he just laughed too........so I caught up with Tom and we went straight to the Alamo desk. This is fun......we don't need any upgrades or extras, and the last few years they haven't even tried so this was surprise when this very enthusiastic young man offered us every upgrade possible.......he was met with a bunch of no thank you`s.......he was a tryer.
We set off over to the garage and spoke to Alamo there and showed them the upgrade note we had from the manager from our last visit........it`s easier to deal with them in there than the desk staff. So we ended up with a BMW (we don't like BMW) X3..........but it was fine. And white......don't like white cars either.........but it would get us from A-B and that was all that mattered. It did have a satnav that we hadn't asked for and did have more power than the last few cars we had driven from Alamo.
We sorted out the luggage and got mirrors and seats in position and the all important air conditioning........it was lovely and hot.......
We were on the road in a few minutes..........and how we loved the familiarity of this journey back home......albeit a different home this time.......everything is so familiar and we love that first journey back when we land. I had put my hand luggage in the trunk, so no pics of landmarks as we get closer like the Eye........but as we got closer to the top of Universal Boulevard we could see some rather unusual amounts of traffic as we approached the bridge where you can see RP and SF.........
Of course Friday night.........Grad Bash was on.......so many buses and cars all heading for Universal........but, it may have taken a few extra minutes, but didn't affect us. As we turned into Hollywood Way we saw the familiar turn into RP and it was strange passing it by to go somewhere else........but only a few moments on we are turning into Sapphire Falls for the first time.
It is a pretty hotel and has the added advantage of having a multi storey parking garage.........this will be a blessing if it rains was my very perceptive comment about now........we drove up to level 2 and unloaded the car and walked to the elevator which was almost right beside us. This took us down and you can walk all the way under a cover till the main doorway or you can turn into the convention area and appear in the lobby that way too......we chose the regular door.
Walking in felt lovely.........we knew the hotel well as we had visited many times to enjoy the pleasures of StrongWater Tavern......so it wasn't strange to us....and it is so pretty.......it`s large and airy and very light....doesn't feel cavernous at all. Tom went to the bathroom and I stood with our luggage till he got back. I was daydreaming when I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye.........I almost yelped in delight when I saw our friend.....he had waited for us to arrive tonight........awww.......big hugs all round. I was thrilled to see him as I assumed he`d have gone home by now.......but here he was. At that point Tom came out and was over the moon too to see him........and he walked us over to the check in desk where he got us checked in while we chatted away.......
He then escorted us up to our room which thrilled us again, he always makes us feel so special.......and we were over the moon to see The Sapphire Suite......wow!!!!! We were in the sought after Guest House 2, this was where we wanted to be......This suite is beautiful........we had seen it before when he gave us a tour 2 years ago, but we had forgotten how lovely it was........and we had the lagoon view he knew we`d love.....straight over to RP!!! We were so happy........this felt so right to stay here and definitely felt as much like home as RP is.
He showed us around again and eventually we said our goodbyes as he was heading home.......we were so grateful to him for everything........
We didn't move the luggage yet......just took some pictures.........
Wow!!!! We were loving this.........and the view was perfect........I couldn't wait till it was fully dark to see everything all lit up.......
Then our doorbell rang.......it felt weird hearing a doorbell........I looked out and there was no one there.....or so I thought........then a young man appeared and said he had a gift for us........wow again......we had only just arrived..........
This was just beautiful........I opened the card with the tray it was from our friend!!!! What a kind thought from him......we would certainly enjoy all of this......strawberries were lush and my favourite cheeses were on the platter!!!! We were so grateful to him for being so thoughtful........ever felt so content you could cry....yep. We had a massive hug and then thought we had to start unpacking.........all while nibbling the lovely platter that we had received........perfect.
Once we unpacked and freshened up, we headed down to our favourite bar........StrongWater.........yep, we had been here many times........the food is divine and right up our street, and the cocktails are heavenly.....and strong!!!! But this had to be our first stop tonight on our first night......
It wasn't overly busy and we got seated easily..........the young man who plays the guitar was on tonight, he is very good and not too loud so you can still hear yourself talk........I get my ipad out and send a thank you email straight away........
Our first drink was indeed welcome.......we finally met Tyler, he consistently gets fabulous reviews for service but we had never had him take care of us although we had heard a lot about him......and he was nice......I ordered my favourite French Berry Daiquiri and Tom went for a Blue Moon
They were lovely!!! And very welcome.........
We sat for a while before we decided to order food........I am always keen to try their new dishes and they had changed the menu since we were there in March........so we opted for the new Florida Ceviche which claimed to be spicy........a beef and pineapple skewer dish and plain old beef sliders......not very exotic but Tom likes them.........
Instead of another strong cocktail I ordered a glass of wine......and it was nice too.........we thoroughly enjoyed our food, it was delicious.......we shared everything except the rather alarmingly green cilantro flavoured sauce....we hate cilantro....so we left it.....but everything else is wonderful. And the ceviche was indeed spicy.........Tyler mentioned he thought he knew us.....we laughed and said we had been in once or twice.......lol........
We sat for a while and paid the check then wandered out to the outdoor area and took a couple of pictures before heading up to our room........the view here is just lovely.......
We took a couple in the lobby too........very peaceful area at this time of night...........
And one of the pool that we wished we had the energy to go in tonight..........
But, we had hit that wall.......we had been awake for so long by now.......and with having a wine and a strong cocktail, I was exhausted now......but we did giggle how nice it was not to have to walk all the way back over to RP from StrongWater.........
Our suite was so cosy with the lights on and felt warm and welcoming........turndown had already been before we got into the room, so we had opened everything, but I love coming back in when all the drapes are drawn and dimmed lights are on.
But for tonight, it was a shower and into the exceptionally comfortable bed........it was large and we had plenty of room. We have a big bed at home so always appreciate a bed of similar size. I slightly opened the bedroom drapes as we put the lights off........I do love dropping off while seeing the place lit up. And I did think we would sleep well tonight.