Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast, which was a bit of a disappointment, ok-but-not-great bagels and lousy service. We arrived at Seaworld early enough to catch the National Anthem as they opened. Between the two of us (one maths graduate, one physics) we managed to work out the logistics of the show timetable and schedule to see everything and fit in the other attractions between events.

We started off at the dolphin cove before the hordes descended. I dutifully petted a dolphin - strange feeling all rubbery and avoided getting splashed. Jane I think could have cheerfully spent the entire day there and gleefully purchased smelly dead fish to feed them. I took photos.

The different shows were interestingly done, all pretty impressive, only really suffering from a lack of explanation and an over-abundance of plot sometimes. The sea lion show was aimed more at kids with a pirate theme, but with the sun shining and giant sea lions and walruses splashing about it was hard not to join in. The various whale and dolphin shows were pretty amazing, as they jumped and spun and splashed anyone foolish enough to sit in the 'splash zones'. The small circus was a kind of cut-down cirque du soleil, strange without any animals, but still very good. The fountain show in the evening was a bit naff, particularly as it was hard to see and a bit repetitive after the initial 'ooo' of prettily lit fountains.

The centrepiece of the park is definitely the Killer Whales and their huge stadium. The two Shamu shows were breathtaking, although the Christmas one was distressingly cheesy at times. Getting to see a killer whale and her baby swimming in formation in an underwater tank was pretty amazing. For some reason the mother kept turning herself upside down all the time, baby didn't seem to mind though.

My favourite attraction of all however was the penguin enclosure. They have lots of different penguins and an enclosure with a glass panel all along one wall allowing you to see them under-water as well. And best of all - there was snow! They had snow machines dropping snow and keepers spreading it around the enclosure, I've never seen penguins in snow before and they were so funny slipping and sliding about. . I could have spent all day there!

I felt we actually ran out of things to do and I was disappointed at the lack of an aquarium, my guidebook was right when it said the gift shops out-numbered the attractions. Mind you we didn't go on either of the rides as they featured a long wet drop and a nasty looping roller coaster. I did however manage to avoid purchasing a stuffed whale, so I'm quite proud of myself.

We headed to International Drive for dinner finally settling on Chilli's which was very very good and included a giant deep fried chrysanthemum like onion. I-Drive is interesting, it's a bit like Oxford Street or Champs Elysees, but spread out over miles and with nothing above the second storey. Back home and bed by 10.30 - we're really lighting up the town!