It’s a little after 5am, and my body clock has forgotten that it’s 10am in the U.K! Nevertheless, fed and watered in the Lido, where I opted for a small cooked breakfast, I am rather excited about this particular shore experience. I have a decent window seat on the coach and hopefully, the coughs and sneezes of those around me are just that, and not the harbinger of a second bout of covid 19. It is Friday 13th today!
Today’s shore excursion would be out of this world. The tour guide delivered a most fascinating account of the history of space exploration, right back to the early days of ballistic missiles. There is much to see, perhaps two or three days to cover the entire Kennedy Space Center complex. I never thought I would get up close to vehicles that had travelled to outer space. And, being a collector, I have acquired a tiny fragment of the cargo of a Space Shuttle, framed with an autographed photo of the launch. I don’t believe this is a rare item, but it could be the only one to sail to the UK and end up in Harpur Hill!
The tour guide identified the structures I photographed on Cocoa Beach as launch pads at Cape Canaveral Airforce Base, not part of the Kennedy Space Center as I previously suggested.
For once, there was generous time allowed in the places we were taken to. There was a grand finale, the most spectacular 3D documentary on a massive screen with fabulous loud surround sound, which seemed to reassure the audience that any incoming asteroids would be deflected one way or another. There is now a new event on my bucket list, to witness an actual launch. I don’t want to become a space tourist, but to see the various space craft now preserved for generations to marvel at, may have spawned a “late in life” interest.
As you will deduce from the pictures, there is much to see, along with numerous documentary shows all over the complex, simulators, and memorabilia. Only the eatery lets the place down, or the one I ventured into. I don’t think I came across anybody disappointed with their trip to the K.S.C. I hope to write more when, with the help of the guide book, and other related literature, I can put together a more knowledgeable account of this awesome experience. More than likely, I shall amend this blog and re-publish. I (we) were given far too much information to remember.
At dinner, we said goodbye to Cecile who leaves the ship at the end of her current vacation. I’m sorry she will be no longer with us, but of course, New people will be embarking at Port Everglades tomorrow.
Many thanks for reading, David
David's Cruise 