Have you been to Sea World lately?  If not, it is definitely time to go!  If you have been lately, you need to go again.  They have this awesome new roller coaster called The Manta.  Get this – you ride so that you are face down experiencing all the thrills of actually being a manta ray swimming through the ocean!  You will spin, glide and skim the waters surface!  Be prepared to get a little wet on this awesome, one of a kind ride!

If you go now they are offering HUGE savings on tickets!  Buy a ticket to Sea World and you get a ticket to Aquatica or Busch Gardens for FREE!!!  You can’t beat this deal with a fish stick! 

It gets even better; Sea World Orlando is a trip on one tank full of fuel.  Not many places you can go and have all this fun on one tank of gas and spend a free day at another park after spending the day with Shamu and the Manta Coaster!

Make your plans today to spend a day at Sea World and for FREE you get to spend a day at Aquatica or Busch Gardens.  This is definitely the best deal in Orlando right now!  If you are a roller coaster enthusiast you have to go just so you can say you rode The Manta, the only coaster of its kind in the World!!!

SeaWorld

Manta
 

This has been my best Sunday in a while, a long while.  I got off work early.  After putting in 12+ hours yesterday, I called it quits after five and a half today.  I was lucky enough to make it down to the Marina before the storm hit.  The Lady is not going out today so I am hiding inside and blogging, surfing, relaxing.....

I started outside on her front deck and it was beautiful - cloudy, breezy and no rain.  Well, apparently we popped the GFI in the outside outlets; so, if I wanted to keep blogging, I was forced to move inside.  It is so quiet in here, other than the Sirius satellite music, that i wanna camp out here tonight   The country music, the gently rocking boat, and mostly nobody needing me, is almost overwhelming in itself.  Knowing I am off the next three days is intoxicating!  It also requires no liquor to feel that way - just being happy has had that effect on me lately.

It's been a wonderful afternoon and I hope for an even better evening!  Even while running from their boats for cover from the rain, these people were smiling and laughing.  May you find smiles and laughter the rest of this Holiday weekend!

Ok, so....  so far this has had nothing to do with travel but I'm getting there, I promise!!!  Like I said, I am sitting on the Lady, just chilling.  Now, what is interesting, is all the boats on the lake.  Not just boats either - jet skis, kids on tubes, PEOPLE everywhere!  LOOK!  Find something close to home - celebrate a Staycation at a State Park near you!  This is brought to you from Georgia Veteran's Memorial State Park and Lake Blackshear Resort; and, of course, the Marina and the Libery Lady

Manta Mania 3

The Crown Reef Resort is where we stayed on our last trip.  The picture above is the view from our balcony facing to the right.  I reserved because of a winter rate special they were running for November and we got rooms for $29 per night plus tax.  In the summer these same rooms rent for as high as $199.

After booking, I got nervous over my choice because some of the  hotel reviews at various sites were not real favorable.  They stated the property was old, dirty, unkempt, etc... 

We found it to be just the opposite.  Yes, the rooms are dated, but all three of our rooms were spotless.  There were workers painting and doing winter maintenance.  All of their pools were being refurbished, one at a time.  We were there for a week and we actually saw the one in the picture above be drained, completely refinished and filled again.  Then it was on to the next pool.  Even the pool furniture was clean and very white.

The first night we arrived there was a mix-up with our reservation requests and it was immediately corrected the following morning with all three of our rooms being placed next to each other.  Guest personnel were very friendly and always smiling. 

One friend in our party requires a wheel chair.  The Myrtle Beach police department provides wheel chairs for the beach for free.  Since it was the off season they were not readily available; but, one quick call to the local police office and an officer brought one to the hotel for us to use and they also picked it up when we checked out.  This really went above and beyond my expectations!

The Crown Reef Resort is not a 5 star property; but, it is exactly what I expected from a beach front property.  The staff and grounds personnel went above and beyond expectations! 

If you are considering staying here, don't allow the negative reviews to influence your decision.  The property is being renovated and the  customer service is exceptional.

For more information or to book a reservation please visit The Crown Reef Resort!

Manta Mania 3

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My heart is hearing the call of the ocean and my head is telling me it's past time to soothe my battered soul.  Nothing is so soothing as when my bare feet touch the fluffy white sands of the coast; and then, slowly make their way to the flatter sands washed smooth by the waves.  Oh, the joy of finally feeling the waves touch my toes, then wash up over my ankles. 

As each wave crashes, washes over my bare feet, and goes back out to sea it takes with it all my worries - one wave at a time, one worry at a time.  It leaves me with a peace only the ocean can provide.  I hear her calling me, beckoning to bring my feet to her shores.

Mother, mother ocean, I have heard you call......  soon, I will sink my feet upon your shores.......

When we visited The Sandpearl Resort in Clearwarer, FL I was pleasantly surprised to learn it was a green hotel and LEEDS certified.

If you are interested in traveling green, Travelocity has made it easier to find green hotels.  I think this is a great step forward in travel and making us Think Green in all our choices!

Travelocity's Green Directory: Featuring Green Hotels so you can travel responsibly!

Sandpearl Resort Environmental Initiatives

This past week I was hospitalized with pneumonia.  It was totally unexpected and I am still not feeling up to par.  Thankfully I was at home and not traveling when I came down with it.  The cost of an unexpected illness while traveling can be extremely high.  If you’re traveling overseas, those costs can skyrocket even higher.

I have always recommended you get travel insurance to protect the investment of your trip.  Now I am recommending you also get travel insurance for your health.  That’s right!  You can buy health insurance to protect you while traveling.  MultiNational Underwriters (MNU) is a US based company that allows you to purchase health insurance for as little as $1 per day.  You choose your deductible, amount of coverage, and dates you want to be covered.  MNU will do the rest.  No, they can’t guarantee you won’t get sick while you are on vacation or business.  What they can do is provide you peace of mind knowing that if you do fall ill, it won’t bankrupt you.  You are covered. 

Have a graduate student who is planning time abroad after graduation?  MNU has coverage for them too. 

Check out their website before your next trip overseas.  They offer 24 hour support – Protect yourself with health insurance for travelers.  Free travel medical insurance quote.