Busch Gardens

We had a wonderful time at Busch Gardens. Its the best of both worlds, a blend of a zoo and amusement park.

 

I love this picture of Avalyn in the gardens

 

One of the highlights, we got to pet and feed kangaroos!  So cool!

 

Then it was time for rides.  Ava's favorite part.

 

Avalyn rode this roller coaster 15 times that day!  Not exaggerating!

We also did the African Safari tour and got to see lots of animals up close.  We even got to feed a giraffe!

This picture cracks me up.  It even looks like the giraffe is smiling!

We both got to feed the giraffe.  Their tongues were so long and curled around the lettuce.

Florida Aquarium

We had fun at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. One of our favorite animals was the otters!  They kept doing back flips in the water.  We also loved the sting rays, snakes, and penguins!

Ava pet the snake!

Ava was excited to see "King Julian"  Haha!!

We did "backstage with the penguins!"  So cool and such a unique experience.  We got to learn all about penguins and meet one up close.

 

At the end of our visit Ava got to go out to the splash park.  Lots of fun!

Pirate Cruise

We also checked out Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise. The boat was really cool!  It was themed just like a pirate ship. 

Arrr Matey!

Jon got to play a role on the cruise.  He was peg leg Pete.  He came out and startled the kids.  Ava was not happy!!  She didn't like the kids attacking her Dad.  She kept yelling, "THATS MY DAD!"  Once she realized it was for fun, she started spraying him with her squirt gun.  Later she told him that he wasn't allowed to be a pirate anymore.  LOL.

The kids attacking Jon with their squirt guns.

Story time

Ava found a gold coin during the treasure hunt

Jon and his girl sitting at the bow.  It was beautiful up there.  Great view and nice breeze.

The cruise ended with some dancing

Clearwater Marina

We stopped in at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. This isn't your typical aquarium.  Their focus is on education, rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine animals.  We got to see sea turtles, otters, pelicans, sting rays, and dolphins!  This is also home to Hope and Winter from the movie Dolphin Tale.
 

At first Avalyn was scared of the sting ray, but then she got brave enough to touch it.  We got to feed the sting rays as well.

 

Ava striking a pose in front of a turtle excluder device.  Fisherman use this to catch fish but it allows the turtles to escape.