It`s that time of year again..........Another trip has passed and we were now back home only dreaming of the wonderous time we had while we were at Royal Pacific and Orlando Every year we say the thing, it cant get any better than the year before.......and every year it just seems to be enhanced from previous trip in some way or another. RPR has always been an amazing resort and it truly is our home away from home. Folks ask if we never get fed up staying there or wouldn't we prefer a villa.........short answer is no.....we never get fed up there, its so beautiful and they look after us so well. As for a villa.......too much like a home.......I don't want something that's like home......I want a hotel to be taken care of and looked after and that's exactly what we get at RPR.
If you have missed our previous trip reports, where have you been
..........we are Carole "n" Tom......the "n" has been added by our friends, as they claim we are a double act.......apparently you never see one without the other......except when he is at work of course.......but it`s true, we are always together and quite enjoy that actually. We spend an inordinate amount of time together with many friends wondering how we do it.......simple, we enjoy each others company a lot. We will be married 25 years next year and can honestly say we`ve never been happier.......we adore our time in Orlando and at RPR and we try to treasure every minute we are there.
Someone missing again this year is our 22 year old son Kyle. He graduated from University in July with a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering, so he obviously had career obligations now. We would Skype again whenever we knew he would be around, so that would help a bit. But, we did miss him a lot. It`s always strange when things change with growing families. But we were, and are incredibly proud of him for his fantastic achievements with his degree.
So, for a non planner like me this trip had strated being planned as we left the hotel last year. Our booking was arranged as always when we left. We knew our rough dates and would call if there were any changes to that. Once back home it was my task to get flights booked as soon as we could, I think we waited a whole month this time which seemed ages! But flights were booked with exit row seats as they give you so much room with no one in front.......we had them last few years and were glad to see they hadnt been booked.
Next was our night at the airport. We live around two and a half hours away from the airport, so we do like to travel the day before and stay overnight as our flight is 10.15am. It adds a day and the Radisson is a beautiful hotel, very relaxing and we stay there every year. It is attached by a Skywalk to both terminals, so it`s literally a 5 minute walk down in the morning. No having to get shuttles or cabs.
Travel Insurance is our next plan........always fun........age seems to add a few ££ more every year......or so it seems.......lol......
Rental Car.........we have used the same company for year. USRentacar. They are based in the UK but they offer any supplier you wish from the choices available. We for years went with Alamo and had no issues......last year we made the mistake of booking with Dollar. Never again. This year we chose Alamo.
So with that done, all we had to do was wait for September 16 to come along.
It was a long year, but as we looked back we couldn't believe how quickly it passed. It was a mixed year with the delight of Kyle`s Graduation in July, to the utter despair and disbelief of losing my best friend in June. To lose her so quickly from Terminal cancer was such a shock and knocked us all. But, although she never practiced what she preached, she never took a vacation, we knew she would want us to have the best time ever.
Wednesday 14th September
Tom had to go into work this morning for a meeting he couldn't miss. I didn't mind as it gave me a chance to get everything packed........yes, we are last minute packers. People ask why I don't pack weeks ahead as it adds to the excitement........I always say, trust me.....I`m excited enough for our trip......but it`s just the way we do things. Tom had brought the suitcases down night before including my new one.......I say one.......I had bought 2 new purple ones.....but, a friend begged me to borrow one as she was flying to Saudi......not sure why she needed it, but ok, so I was down to one new one. Tom could have the older one. Well, I do mix and match the clothes in both.......just in case we lose one we'll both have some clothes to wear.
Didn't take long to get packed, and he was home by 11am. It was a grey miserable day so its always nice to leave on such a day knowing we are headed for heat and sunshine. I made us all some lunch and Kyle was home, so we ate together and of course it was on my mind we were leaving him again. Last year had been horrendous with it being the first time, but although I felt bad, I wasn't as distraught as previous year.
Cases were loaded in the car, again, never the same way every year........and them it was time to say goodbye.......we hugged the life out him, or so it seemed....then the tears came. He just kept saying to enjoy ourselves, he would be fine.........I know he would be, but as a mum it was hard. He would have fun and eat lots of chocolate cake..........
We finaly set off after he insisted we go..... and the weather just got better the closer we got to Manchester. We live on the other side of the country but this was like another country.......beautiful blue skies and heat! After an uneventful journey, which are the best journeys, we arrived at The Radisson around 2pm. It was boiling hot when we got out of the air conditioned car.....wow.....hard to believe this was Manchester which is known for rain. And lots of it. But it was 82F. Hot.
Managed to get parked which wasn't easy as it was full. They had a manager direct people to empty spaces as they became available. We only waited a few minutes. Thankfully it was decent space. Cases out and we walked round to the entrance, took the elevator and up to check in. We had booked a room which included the parking for our whole trip which is an excellent deal. We had requested a room with a runway view, there is now an extra charge for this but they didn't charge us as she said we were long term guests. We picked up a couple of toothbrushes for our stay as we had our own packed away in hold luggage. I think they have almost anything behind that desk........So once we were sorted we happily wandered up and viewed our room.
Obligitory selfy now.......
Not much of a view, but its lovely at night when everything is all lit up and sparkly.
As always, happy with the purple touches in the room.......the rooms are lovely and fresh and we always enjoy staying here. For us it`s worth it as it`s where our trip really begins.
We then took our hold luggage down to the terminal to do Sundown check in. This is so handy. Getting checked in and getting rid of hold luggage is ideal. Only took 5 minutes down the Skywalk, but as its all glass we were baked in there......thank goodness the terminal was cooler. Looked down to where it was and there was a small queue of around 10 people. This would be done in no time. It was. Got checked in and made sure we still had the exit row seats, which we did. All done and luggage on its way to the back of the airport somewhere.........that's always a worry.......will it make the right flight!! Not much we can do now, so we headed back down the skywalk which was like walking into the sun it was so hot......and headed for the bar.
The bar is a nice little place to sit anytime........it was surprisingly busy for 4.30ish, not that you would know it from these pictures......but we got a booth and made ourselves comfortable.......waiter came and we ordered a beer for Tom and a white wine for me.........this was our first drink to celebrate our trip...we were going to enjoy it. You can either order at the bar in here or take advantage of service, which we did. Much more civilised.
We sat for a couple of hours and just chatted and spoke at length of what was ahead of us on our trip this year.......we always have a rough idea of what we want to do, but never do we plan anything, except meets with friends of course. But the idea of planning what is supposed to be a relaxing trip fills us with horror.......each to their own, but not for us. We did a short Skype to Kyle from the bar just for a chat........he was ok.
It was so nice in the bar, but eventually we were beginning to get hungry......naturally......that's always a theme with us. We do like our food
so we headed through to the restaurant and we got seated immediately by the window. We did request a table by the window.......and later we would wish we hadn't.
The food is always so good in here......and service as you would expect is top notch. Water waiter brought us that first then we ordered a bottle of wine, they don't have an extensive wine list but its fine for where we are.
The menu is so nice but I know what I`m having. We both had the slightly predictable shrimp cocktails to start with, but so nice and fresh. I knew what I was having for my main meal. When I was here with mum in May before we went to NY, I ordered the ribs in a gorgeous bbq sauce, so I was having that again......... Tom took slightly longer choosing his entrée but eventually went for American hot pizza..........
The waiter brought over the wine and I was pleased to see he offered me the option to taste it. So many just go straight to the male.......however that can be a little pretentious so I said I was sure it would be fine and he poured. It was nice.
Have to say Tom`s pizza doesn't look the most appetising pizza ever, but it was nice and tasted very fresh.......just not as spicy as promised. But we do like things extra hot. My ribs were delicious......I always say we never really get fall of the bone ribs over here, but these were spectacular.
Although we were quite full, Tom does like a dessert. I don't really eat them, however I did have a little of the ice cream and he enjoyed the sticky toffee pudding.
Just after we ordered desserts four men came and sat at the table next to us.......the table I had asked for........One of them was the loudest man I have ever heard in my life. Not voice wise.....bragging wise. Oh my goodness, he was obviously a businessman, but why do people think everyone is going to be impressed by what they do or have. The staff looked a bit embarrassed but didn't say anything, the other 3 guests did look a bit sheepish too........he was just to my right so I had him in my line of vision. Thankfully we were almost done by then........all of a sudden he guffawed so loud and I got such a fright I turned and smiled at him and said he almost caused me to spill my drink as he was so loud. He was a bit taken aback and apologised. I said it was ok some people didn't realise how loud they were. He knew what I meant though. I wasn't being nasty, but seriously, it`s a quiet restaurant and he was being obnoxious.
So with that we went up to our room. I love these rooms at night as they are quite cosy and by now of course it was pitch black so we could see the airport, the runway and everything else all lit up. Tom made us a cup of tea and coffee and we watched some tv. Think it was Two and a Half Men!
We had our tea and sat until around 11pm watching tv. Finally we put it off and set every alarm we could.......IPad, phone, TV and alarm call from hotel........yep, a little paranoid. But, this was the best point......we had everything in front of us......18 nights at our favourite hotel and hopefully some excellent hot weather.
Right now though we just hoped we would sleep. Night before such a trip........no chance.
angshewas...........thank you!!! Hope you enjoy it.......yep, we keep the feather in a book she gave me years ago. It's nice. 
But, yes we had a great first night.........
priceless! Tom captured the moment very well...sneaky man.
..........yes, it was so nice chatting to you, and your parents were lovely too!! Always nice to talk to folks........yes, the reason for the name of the trip report starts in next instalment!!
