Something Special

Hi everyone

As I said in an earlier blog our students had a treat at the basketball that was very unexpected. We were given the opportunity to get onto center court and have our photo taken by the official Orlando Magic photographer. At this stage they are still to send me the photo to upload but we will have it soon and I will get good copies made and give everyone both a printed and digital copy. This opportunity was most unexpected for everyone and a massive moment for everyone. It was quite an adventure to be on court and no one will forget it.

Here are the students just before we were allowed on court:

High school, tubing and shopping

Hello everyone. I've been off the radar for a couple of days with food poisoning. So big thanks to Tom for looking after everything while I've been poorly.
Today we went to Dr Phillips high school. This is what is called a magnet school with different specialities that attract students to the school. Their performing arts centre was absolutely amazing. 3700 kids at the school which would take some organising.
Our students paired up with some students and went to classes for the morning. Some interesting subjects on offer including forensics and psychology.
After classes we went to Kelly Springs for tubing. A very mild stream that was a nice interlude before we went SHOPPING at the outlet mall. The students had two hours and it was bedlam. The first thing I bought was a carry on size suitcase and a set of scales to weigh luggage. I can see overweight luggage looming after the shopping done today. We were surprised to see the boys back first followed by our girls who had shopped to the last second.
Now they want more. And are trying to convince us what we can leave out of the programme to fit in more shopping. So Tom and I are looking at how we may be able to get there on Friday.
I'm sure you understand that this is stuff they absolutely need and no junk is being bought. I know I needed a new handbag and watch. (I also had to make a wee phonecall to the bank in NZ to extend my credit card limit whilst shopping)
We have had some quite long bus rides today in which I may have dozed off occasionally. When the kids think I'm asleep the conversation changes entirely into the inevitable of who likes who and who is pretending not to like who. Very interesting and quite amusing for Tom and I to watch. But as they say what goes on tour stays on tour and our lips are sealed.
Tomorrow we have another Disney day which I'm excited about as I missed the first day and then Cape Canaveral on Thursday.
The kids continue to be amazing in their behavior and enthusiasm. "look there is a squirrel, look look, I've never seen one before" much to the amusement of the locals. and "look how much traffic there is- there is probably more people on this motorway right now than live in New Zealand"
Whilst they are loving America I think they appreciate New Zealand more and more
Until tomorrow

Take care everyone
Louisa

Our students with the hosts from Dr. Phillips High School:

Nick, Josh C and Adam with their hosts for the morning - I think they may have enjoyed the company

Monday - Disney & Orlando Magic

Hi everyone

Monday was a very busy day and we left at 7am and didn't return until 11pm.

The day began with a trip to Walt Disney World (don't call it Disneyland they get very touchy). It is a small city by itself with its own motorway system and bus, train and yes ferry boat systems as well.

I am not sure who was the bigger kid myself (Tom) or the students when we walked into Main Street USA for the first time.

The students headed straight for the candy shop at 8:30am with Izzy leading the way but they all forgot about candy when they found the dress up section. Check out the photo page for a great one of the boys in their Mickey hats.

At 9am it was time to start our youth program. This was our first one and it was about energy and waves. They focused on the use of light and sound energy in the rides. The students got a mix of education on the theory of light and sound then a ride on an attraction that displayed the theory then a wrap up and onto the next theory. We did light energy and it's uses on the haunted mansion ride, UV light, reflection and refraction etc. the students got to go behind the scenes on this ride and see how Disney creates the Ghosts Ball Scene using reflection.

It was then off to The Lilo and Stitch ride so look at sound energy and it's use to tell the story while the ride was pitch dark. Josh L had an up close and personal encounter with a thunder can during one of the theory section. He must have jumped a good foot in the air and I think Seth was nearly bowled over. That's what happens when the educator asks you to close your eyes and then rattles the thunder can right next to you.

The program wrapped up with Mickey's Philharmonic which combines both sound and light in a 3D movie. It was a brilliant program and the students really enjoyed it from what I could see.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in Magic Kingdom trying to get through as many rides as possible. The students took care of themselves so I could go off and relive my childhood however I did meet up with them for Space Mountain, a very tame looking roller coaster that is anything but tame when you ride it. The idea of riding a coaster in complete darkness as the universe shoots by is a great one.

After the consumption of too much candy floss in Charlotte's case and way too much sugar is everyone else's we headed off to the Orlando Magiv Basketball game. What an amazing experience.

The tour company had arranged some brilliant tickets high up in the Amway Centre and it had a great view. The game was an absolute spectacle with cheerleaders, floating mascots, remote controlled blimps, bottomless sodas, music, lights oh and a game of basketball as well. The students were awe struck and so happy with the experience.

One that got absolutely amazing at the end with a surprise for all the students that even I couldn't believe.

I will have to leave you hanging until I can load some photos to explain.

For those of you wondering Orlando beat Detroit 119-89. It was a great game and tonight I will load some photos and explain the surprise.

Lazy Day and Gatorland

Hi everyone

Today (Sunday) in Florida has been a relaxing and enjoyable day spent for most people in bed till mid morning then mucking around the hostel until the washing was finished. Thankfully everyone has now been able to do some washing, not that anyone smelt to bad!

The afternoon was spent heading out on an adventure to Gatorland. We braved the public transport system here in Orlando and it was very good. It was a long ride to Gatorland but once there it was fun to see what is essentially an alligator farm.

It was a very hot day and we only spent about 1 1/2 hours at Gatorland but it was enough time to see jumping alligators and the up close encounters show. Louisa and myself managed to get very close to a tarantula and also watched a large boa constrictor being handled by the audience.

Tomorrow will see us off to the first of our Disney Youth Education Series programs. The first program is at the Magic Kingdom Theme park within Walt Disney World and is based around the energy of roller coasters and light used to make the special effects within many of the rides.

It is a short blog tonight however it does reflect the lazy nature of today, I have to say that all of the students are looking better for it and are now ready for more adventures this week.

I have added a few photos to a new Gatorland page so have a look and below are our students at the entrance to Gatorland.

All the best
Tom Wilkinson

Orlando

Hi All

Well the accent has changed a bit from the Southern Drawl to a far more mixed bag of accents. Flying into Orlando was amazing- it looked so different to anything we had seen before- there were little lakes everywhere and just such a different landscape to where we had come from.  Orlando Airport is HUUUUUGGGGGEEEE.
We caught the monorail to the baggage claim- on the way passing the through the centre of the airport with its Hotel and own shopping mall.  But it was all easy and everything went to plan, the Manitur transport people meeting us at the airport and whisking us away to the accommodation.
The kids have complained all week about the camp food and the lack of vegetables- so we gave them their budget tonight expecting them to haul back stacks of vegetables.  However the only veges we have seen have been in the trolley of Tom and I.  To their credit a lot of cereal and milk was bought.
After dinner most of the kids hit the pool.  (after the required time break for safe pool swimming)  While we were there we saw a raccoon snuffling around the pool.  I mean where else does that happen.  Apparently there are turtles in the lake next to the "resort" as well.
The accommodation while basic is very cool and it is nice to see the boys playing basket ball until we sent them to bed.
The girls room looks like a suitcase bomb has gone off in it.  6 suitcases opened and spread around with complete abandon.  In the middle of it the girls are painting each others toe nails.  Madness- not that my suitcase and tidiness is much better- I had to lie on my suitcase this morning to get it to close.

Tomorrow is a sleep in and then off to see what is open before heading to Gator Land.  I'll let you know the highlights tomorrow night

Hope you are all safe and well back in New Zealand.  Take care.

Louisa

Evening in Orlando, FL

Tonight has been a very relaxing affair with students shopping for dinner and having an evening swimming in the pool. They are now all catching up on Facebook and other teenage distractions. Tomorrow is relaxation and recuperation then Gatorland in the afternoon.

A beautiful scene this evening by the pool looking out on Lake Cecile.

We are all looking forward to a lie in tomorrow morning then let the chaos begin on Monday morning!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments both here on the blog and by e-mail. I am passing on as much as I can.

Cheers

Tom Wilkinson

Arrival in Orlando

Hi everyone

We have now arrived in Florida and we are at our accommodation at the Palm Lake Front Hostel.

It is a sufficient hostel with everything we need. The location is amazing in terms of having shops close, bus routes outside and pretty close to Disney.

We will be able to continue with the blog which is great and will give you a more detailed update tonight.

Cheers

Tom WK

Our Aussie Friends

This post is just to perpetuate the spirit of positive Aussie New Zealand relations.

  I think I have mentioned that their has been a group of Aussies here with us.  This is the first time this group has stayed at space camp and they have had a great time.  Last night Tom and I went out to dinner with them at a restaurant called the "outback"- where they sold genuine Aussie food. Did you all know that deep fried battered onion is the national dish of Australia.  What was disappointing is that there was no pavlova on the menu.   It was a great night and thanks to the Aussie crew for taking us out for such memorable food. We do hope to catch up with you all again and remember to look us up if you are in Christchurch.

We hope you have a great flight back and thanks for all the tips on Disney Land.

Louisa 

Last Post from Space Camp

Good evening everyone.

This is our last post from Space Camp.
Today we had graduation- which Tom has already put the photos up for.  We then took the students to Bridge St Mall.  This is a brand new pedestrian mall which is built around an artificial lake.  It had multitudes of shops- but all of a Merivale Mall type rather than a dress mart type of mall.  Still I think a bit of shopping was done.  The less hard core shoppers went to the movies.
And of course when Kiwi kids go shopping- someone bought a football and a piece of grass was found and they had to test out the aerodynamics of the ball.  A security guard was quickly on the scene and somewhat reluctantly did tell the students to stop.
At the end of the day we met for dinner at PF Changs for dinner.  An awesome Chinese restaurant where the kids could eat loads of veges.  We were a bit concerned about three of our boys choosing the hottest dish on the menu.  A little hot for the Josh's but cool as a cucumber Nick just ate it all up.
After birthday cookie cake (see Tom's Pictures) the waitress bought out fortune cookies. 
All good fun but some of the cookies suggested the students will find their hearts desire tonight.  I'm just pleased the space camp staff are in charge tonight or else I wouldn't sleep a wink.
The students were great today, we enjoyed spending the day out with them and we think they all had a good time having a low pressure day.

We have sent the students to pack- I'm picking there will be some issues here.  I know I'm struggling to fit everything back in my suitcase.

We will let you know when you get to Florida.

Take care everyone- Louisa
The photos below are of the students waiting outside the restaurant.

Happy Birthday Katie and Nick!!

Katie and Nick are both celebrating birthdays while we are here in the USA, Katie the 6/4 and Nick the 7/4. Tonight before we head to Florida, Saturday morning we had a birthday meal at P.F. Chang's China Bistro. Without the students knowing we Louisa and myself organised a very American Cookie Cake. It is basically a 12" Diameter Chocolate Chip Cookie - sounds over the top and it was. Both students were very happy to have a small celebration and I also believe that Katie was treated while at the mall by the girls courtesy of her Mum.

The birthday two with their cookie cake