Photo TR: SeaWorld San Diego, Belmont Park, and Bono!

Our trip started out a little rough. The plane out of San Jose was delayed one hour, then another 20 minutes, then another 40 minutes, then another hour, and finally 20 more minutes. We were supposed to leave at 7:25, but flew out at 9:50! We waited at Gordon Biersch and had a few beers. While we were there, we noticed this guy that looked like Bono from U2. We sat by him because it was the only seat around. Before that I was holding up the wall for a while. I was facing Gyendolynne and she was facing Bono’s table. There was quite a ruckus because of him. Everyone was taking pictures, including us. We didn’t think it was him, but what the heck? The only problem I had was that he was signing autographs. People would bring books up to him and other things. It just didn’t seem right. If it was Bono, then great, but I doubt it was him.

We arrived at midnight in San Diego and headed straight to Hard Rock Café. They were closed and it was raining! We were so hungry because we didn’t eat since the flight was delayed a certain amount of time every time they would post. On the way to the hotel, we were looking for a place to eat. The area had a ton of strip clubs and other “adult” entertainment. It wasn’t the nicest area to be in, but I figured once we get to the hotel, everything would be okay and it was. We picked up Jack in the Box right outside the hotel. After checking in, we finally fell asleep around 1am. The next day we woke up at 7am to get ready, have breakfast, and head to Sea World. Hopefully today would be better than yesterday. Sea World was only 5 minutes from the hotel. We used our platinum passes, which we processed that day, for the free parking and reservations at all the shows. After mapping out our shows, we headed to Journey to Atlantis. There was no line. While we were waiting the ride broke down, and then shut down! We haven’t ridden this yet and it was very disappointing at the time. We went to Wild Arctic was right next door. The simulator we got into broke down within the first minute of the ride. I was thinking, “Great, what next!” They took us out of that ride and into another simulator. I have to say, good move by the ride ops. The ride was okay, but the walk through area was so much better. The polar bears were awesome. They were feeding them at the time. It was neat to see them dive into the water. Now we had all the shows scheduled. We saw Clyde and Seamore show, the dolphin show, Shamu, Pets Rule, and the Haunted Lighthouse 4D. We got on Journey to Atlantis later on in the day. We weren’t too impressed with it. The Clydesdales saddled up and toured the place. The hospitality room was very cool and refreshing. 8) We took the taste test while we were in there. The way the day turned out, we were able to see all the attractions, shows and ride the rides. It was a great day. The platinum passes made us feel like we were VIPs! This was our first trip to a Sea World and it was a great one! We have been to both Busch Gardens and we are looking forward to going to them next year with these passes. I highly recommend them. We headed to Belmont Park to ride the Giant Dipper. The website didn’t have their hours for December up yet and I didn’t know if they were open or not. When we got there, we were able to park right under the Dipper. The person taking the tickets said they were open until 10pm. We got our ride in, checked out the beach, and then headed to La Jolla for Hard Rock Café. The HRC there was hosting a private party and no one could be seated after 5pm. It was 7. :shock: I got my shot glass and headed to the HRC in San Diego. Man, San Diego gets packed! After dinner at HRC, we headed back to the porn hotel. The flight home was unadventurous, thank goodness.

I hope I didn’t bore you with the report. Here are the pictures.

SHAMU!

Yay, petting dolphins. Watch Gyendolynne, they bite...hehe

I thought this was a cool picture of the Seamore.

The Clyde and Seamore show.

Another high jump

and high jumps.

Lots of big splashes.

The Dolphin Show.

Damnit! Open the door.

Welcome to Beer School

Please say, "Hi, I'm Mr. Ed!"

They were cleaning the equipment for their tour around the park.

Photo for you Wally!

The clydesdales.

Watch it polar beer!

Another aquarium shot.

Diving polar beer. I liked this picture.

It was feeding time

The polar beers were cool.

Journey to Atlantis.

Tada! It flies AND lands.

This was cool having the animals out and about.

Not a good shot, but that's our hotel. I took it from the same place I took the previous pic.

One of the few "adult" entertainment places around our hotel. Is that guy lost?

Our beer.

Another shot of Bono. This has a little more detail of his face.

My Gordon Biersch, and Bono signing autographs!

Bono's harem

Wow, look at the line up waiting for Bono's autograph....Just kidding. This IS the Southwest cattle drive.

Dude, you might be Bono, put your fingers down.

Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing!

And WOW at the Bono Guy!! He looks so real!!

Photos continued.

It was this girl's 21st birthday. Yes, that motorcycle is hanging there.

Yep, just the two of us.

MMMM a hurricane.

We're here at Hard Rock Cafe, San Diego, not La Jolla.

The beach, brrrr, it is cold.

A shot of the carousel.

Hi, I'm a dork waving toward the camera for no apparent reason.

80 year anniversary.

It wasn't windy at all!

Onto Belmont Park.

The sky ride tower looking like a Christmas tree.

A nice sunset.

Sky Ride. A nice way to end the day.

This is actually the shark tank. You can see one in the bottom.

Pink Flamingos

Penguins

This cat jump was cool.

Jumping poodle

The dog is lifting a ton!

Pets Rule set! We thought this was actually a pretty good show. The pets were awesome.

Suiting up the Clydesdales for their tour.

Riding Shamu

2 Shamus

Bono Imposteur!

Check out the beer gut in the first photo!

Nice TR...don't think it's Bono either!

Anyone think we should try to rescue the whale and send it to the moon?

^We saw South Park too and laughed our asses off at that.

I think i'd like Fake Boneo better than the real one...

Oo maybe they used those Polar Bears in Lost! .. Except the one that got shot..

^^^^Ted, Didn't really notice his beer gut, or were you talking about mine???

^Gyendolynne was saying, "Bono has his own plane, he wouldn't be waiting in the Southwest terminal at San Jose international for his plane flight!" I agree he wasn't the real Bono, but he created a bit of a stir. I just had a problem with him signing autographs.

HEY! He's nothing but a big phony! HEY EVERYONE! THIS GUY'S A PHONY

Yeah, he didn't look anything like Cher's dead ex-husband.

Oh, wait--that's the other Bono. My mistake.

Great TR Rick! I really want to take a weekend trip like that, but since were buying a house EVERYTHING is on hold. Maybe, just maybe we'll make it to Bonfante on Saturday. We will see.

Did you make it to beer school?

LOL, nice Photo TR, Rick. The Bono guy looks so real. However, it looks like you had a good time! Thanks for sharing!

--Sören

OMG

this photo has globe ghosts in it!!

google it if you are not sure!!

I did the "Yeesh!" move (Jolt out of shock) when I saw the Cat jump photo. I am glad the Cat didn't get hurt, by the way ... great trip report.

^^^^Wally, Unfortunately we didn't attend the beer school. Hopefully next time we go we will get there. We wanted to hit all the shows and see as much as we could. The park closed at 6pm on Saturday.

Good luck on buying the house. It is one of the top 3 most stressful things you will ever do!

^^^Soren, Thanks man, we try to be as entertaining as possible.

Good luck on buying the house. It is one of the top 3 most stressful things you will ever do!

Gee thanks... make me stress out even more

HEY! He's nothing but a big phony! HEY EVERYONE! THIS GUY'S A PHONY

That episode was on a few nights ago on our local cartoon station.

Just saw Bono myself on the 5th... but unfortunately didn't get to meet him. It was at the u2 concert in boston. That guy gets around!