Travel Books - Volume 3
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February 1999
Riga, Latvia flew from Gatwick to Riga. Didn't see much as it was nearly midnight when the plane landed. The snow was about 2 feet deep in most places, and sometimes much deeper. Stayed in the Radisson hotel overnight then went to the offices of Baltkom for a meeting in the morning, then lunch at the hotel

On the way home, the flight was delayed due to bad weather, so I missed my connection at Stockholm so had to wait in the business lounge for 4 hours. Got on the flight which was then delayed by 40 minutes. Back in England, the train home was delayed by another 45 minutes due a bomb scare, so finally got home at 01h00

July 1999
Vienna, Austria This was my first trip to Vienna, so I was quite excited. The plane was delayed on the ground for 30 minutes and the in-flight food was a really stinky fish. Urghh! Went to the offices of Connect in the morning, and after the meetingtook a taxi to the airport. I managed to change onto an earlier flight, but it was delayed by 30 minutes. More stinky fish for tea on the way home, then we were put into a holding pattern over Heathrow, so got home late again

Vienna, Austria Second trip started badly in London, as I got on the wrong tube line - whoops! Had a short delay on the Heathrow Express, but the flight was fine. Stayed in the Hotel Mercure overnight and went for a meeting at Connect's offices in the morning. I didn't join in, but had a snooze in the bag instead. Got to the airport in plenty of time and had no delays on the way home

August 1999
Vienna, Austria This time the flight was delayed for 30 minutes before we were allowed on board, then when we were seated, they announced a 1 hour delay! Got to Vienna at about 00h15 in the morning and had to wait for a taxi in a thunder and lightning storm for another 30 minutes, which made my fur stand on end. Looked out of the window in the taxi on the way to the hotel to watch the lightning. On the way home, the window seat was taken by a fat, sweaty bloke who snored for most of the journey

September 1999
Lake District, England Went up to the Lake District for my friend Clive's stag weekend, because he was getting married in a few weeks. On the way there, stopped at Skipton for fish and chips, then drove on to the adventure centre near Keswick. I didn't take part in the activities (ghyll scrambling, paintballing, jumping out of a tree or abseiling) because they were a bit dangerous for a small bear - none of the safety equipment would fit me. Came home on the Sunday

Vienna, Austria Plane delayed on take-off again, then had manky cold salmon for lunch, so swapped it for the vegetarian option instead. Stayed in the Starlight Suite overnight, then had meetings at Connect the following day. The food was horrid on the flight home again, and I missed my train, so got home late as well

Vienna, Austria Plane was delayed at Heathrow because one of the passengers had lost his passport. Got to Vienna okay, though it was a bumpy flight. Stayed at the Falkensteiner Palace Hotel, but hardly slept as the bed was too soft and lumpy. After the meeting at Connect, I flew home, but just missed my train from Kings Cross, so got home at midnight

October 1999
Orlando, Florida, USA
14/Oct/99 - got up early and flew from Gatwick to Orlando airport - and gosh, its big! Got to hotel and went to bed but everyone-else went out.
15/Oct/99 - went into Universal Studios and went on Twister, Terminator-3D, Jaws, Earthquake, King Kong, ET, and saw 2 shows: Beetlejuice and Animal Actors
16/Oct/99 - went on I-ride up International Drive to the Belz Shopping Centre. Had big pizza for lunch. Shopping all day then back to hotel
17/Oct/99 - went to Seaworld on shuttle bus. Learnt about Budweiser beer at Anheuser-Busch beer school. Saw and stroked dolphins then watched the Shamu the Killer Whale show. I went on the log flume. In the Arctic Circle area, I waved at a Polar Bear but he was too tired to wave back. Also went in a bear cave, just like the ones polar bears live in.

18/Oct/99 - Universal Studios, went round The Mummy display, and rode on the Hannah-Barbera ride, the Back To The Future ride, twice, and then on the King Kong ride. Gosh, is he one scary monkey!
19/Oct/99 - Disney-MGM Studios. Went on Tower of Terror - a lift that drods 13 storeys! That made my fur stand on end, I can tell you! Then went on Rock'n'Roll Rollercoaster which accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Followed that with the Great Movie ride, the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt show, the Muppets 3D Movie and finally, the Hunchback Of Notre Dame show.

20/Oct/99 - Seaworld again. Saw Shamu show again, followed by the Sealion and Otter Pirate Show. Back into the Arctic Circle and saw the polar bear again. This time he was awake and playing with his toys and being naughty. Went through the Penguin Encounter (they were smelly) and then the Terrors Of The Deep. That was full of sharks and too scary for my liking! At the Seaworld Theatre, I saw pets doing tricks and acting, and then went on the log flume again.
21/Oct/99 - raining all day, so we had a quiet day at the Florida Mall
22/Oct/99 - nice hot weather, so a quiet day. Went to Bill Wongs for lunch - really nice. Walked over to Universal Studios, though we met 2 locals who said it was too far - but it was only 1 mile! I bet John Wayne wouldn't have said that!
23/Oct/99 -  went to Blizzard Beach but stayed in the locker because I didn't want to get my fur wet. Then went to Planet Hollywood for lunch, then on to Disney's Magic Kingdom in the afternoon. Went on the Winnie the Pooh ride, the Alien Encounter, Buzz Lightyear and also watched the Lion King show.
24/Oct/99 - Disney's EPCOT centre. Saw an Hawaian cooking demonstration and went on the Energy Ride and then saw the Honey, I Shrunk The Audience show. Went into the China area of EPCOT and saw a 360 degree film show
25/Oct/99 - spent the day in Disney-MGM, and had 2 tours of the studios, went on the Backlot Tour, saw the Doug show, and how they made 101 Dalmations, including the baby puppy ones

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