-
WARBIRD ADVENTURES - THRILL OF A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
Posted on December 12th, 2009 No commentsWritten by: Jackie Wakelin
Authors WebsiteIf you are struggling to think of a gift for that special occasion be it a 18th , 21st birthday, even a 60th and are going to be in Kissimmee around the date then look no further. Just off of the Highway 192, down N.Hoagland Blvd is the Warbird Adventures where you can actually get to take controls of a genuine WW11 North American T-6 Texan war plane. These planes are what allied pilots did their training in. You get to sit in the front seat and a qualified pilot sits behind you giving instructions. These planes are the real thing and not for the faint hearted but what a way to remember that special date in your life or somebody else’s. It’s the coolest thing they or you will ever do. Vouchers can be purchased in the shop.
On the tips of the wings are cameras and still photos or a DVD can be purchased after your flight. They are of a superb quality and you also get the negatives if you want to have them enlarged. A 15 minute flight costs $240 but the actual time is about 1/2 hour that you are in the plane, from taxeing to take off and landing. Of course If you are very brave then why not go for the 30 - 60 minute aerobatics flight where you can actually control the plane to do loops and rolls. What a great photo that would be, upside down at the controls with an aerial view of Kissimmee above you. Awesome !!! The “pilots shop” is always worth a visit. They have shirts, hats and lots of memorabilia there. You can even buy “Warbird bucks” $100 to give as a present towards that special persons dream flight.
Warbird Adventures used to be known as “Flying Tigers” but in 2004 Hurricane Charley came along and put paid to that and Kissimmee Air museum was formed in its place. Opening times are from 9.00 to 17.00, 6-7 days a week but it does depend on the season so check before you go. You can just turn up but it is “First come, first served” Telephone number 407-870-7366.
My husband and I have watched these planes flying over our villa for the last few years and he has been mesmerised by them so guess what I have bought him for his 60th next year. Boy will he be thrilled.
-
The New York Hop and Stop
Posted on November 21st, 2009 No commentsWritten by: Brian Pearson
Authors WebsiteThe first stage of our 25th Wedding anniversary (2007) holiday was a stay in New York. To say we were both as excited as school children would be an under statement.
The first thing that hit us when we stepped off the plane was the heat.
The East coast was having a heat wave it was 100f (35c).
During our stay the weather never changed. Even at night the temperature remained in the high 70’s aided by the heat given off by the buildings after standing in the sun all day.
The second thing to hit us was the airport. It felt as though thousands of people had just arrived in JFK airport and assembled in the arrival lounge at the same moment we had.
Definitely not for the feint hearted.
We picked up our luggage and joined what seemed a never-ending queue for a taxi. We didn’t have to wait long it just felt like we did.
We hadn’t been in the taxi long when we both experienced a feeling of Déjà vu. It was one of those occasions when you see something you know you recognise and seems very familiar. You momentarily think it’s in the wrong place, and it shouldn’t be here, yet you know you have never been anywhere near it before.
We were passing the observatory towers of the worlds fair held in New York in 1964 used in the film Men in Black and the ride in Universal.
What we hadn’t accounted for were the images (left from watching TV and films) that had been placed in our memory.
Just on that journey to our hotel we ‘remembered’ buildings, bridges and other structures we had never before seen in real life. Then the real challenge, naming the film, program or series we had seen them in.
It happened on many occasions during our visit, the giant floor piano in the toy shop (F.A.O. Schwartz) in the film ‘big’ with Tom Hanks, The fire station used as the headquarters in the film ghost busters and grand central station bombarded by asteroids in the film Armageddon to mention only a few.
We also had what we would describe as reality checks during our visit.
Seeing the sight of the twin towers, the damage to the surrounding buildings and the narrative given to tourists by an employee of one of the banks who witnessed the events as they unfolded on the day.
Outside the Dakota building were John Lennon died and his Imagine memorial a short walk away in central park. All truly unforgettable experiences.
New York is well named as the city that never sleeps. It feels as though every building is illuminated. Even the police station in Times Square is brightly lit with large neon lights letting you know it’s the NYPD.
I could write pages on our experiences of our short visit. If you have never been New York I would very much recommend you include it as one of your must see places to visit.


