Festival Bay Mall

Diary of a cameraman at the last shuttle launch

The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on its final mission was an awesome sight. I’ve seen many launches on TV – most with a tear in my eye – but this was my first in person, and it didn’t disappoint. Indeed, it was quite surprising in a number of ways.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Launch day for me started early. Very early. With approximately one million people expected to flood the surrounding areas, everyone was warned to get to their viewing locations in plenty of time. I’d managed to bag a ticket for the NASA Causeway – the closest public viewing location from a distance of about six miles – from an operator called Florida Dolphin Tours, and they wanted us to board our buses by 2:30am and ideally meet about an hour before. That meant leaving my hotel shortly after midnight.

It’s always a tough call deciding what to do about sleep when you have somewhere to be after midnight, but jetlag from my arrival in the US just two days earlier meant I simply wasn’t sufficiently tired in the evening even for a nap. So I decided to stay up and fight through.

The drive to the meeting point in Festival Bay Mall in Orlando itself went very smoothly, but the final few hundred meters to the carpark were gridlocked. I’d actually arrived at one corner of the mall car park at about 1:30am, but didn’t make it out of my car until close to 3am. Luckily, I was far from being the last to arrive, so there were still plenty of buses waiting for us. I was assigned bus 37, and we arrived at Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) around 5:30am.

NASA security at Kennedy Space Center is not unlike that of an airport with metal detectors and bag searches, and they do not allow you to leave anything on the bus. Bags with wheels are also not allowed, so that means having to carry everything until you can re-board the bus. That time was set for around 6:30am, giving me about an hour to lug my 30kg camera bag, two tripods and foldup chair around an eerily dark KSC in a zombie-like dream-deprived state, while their constant soundtrack of stirring space music played incessantly from every speaker.

Actually, 90 minutes isn’t bad, as previous launches could have you wandering KSC for hours, which wouldn’t be such a bad thing if you weren’t so laden-down with equipment.

I know what you’re thinking: just sit down at one of the cafes or even recline in the Imax while you wait, but re-boarding your assigned bus is neither a quick nor trivial exercise. At some point, you and several thousand others have to join and work through the world’s longest queue, which snakes its way around KSC, cruelly double-backing several times as you think you’re approaching the end.

Places to Buy Pandora Jewelry in Orlando: Bracelets, Charms, Beads ...

Whether you're looking to buy something for your wife or girlfriend on Valentine's Day or you need a gift for your niece's college graduation, Pandora Jewelry is a great gift to give that will always be remembered and can continue to grow. Pandora bracelets and charms are quickly becoming a must have accessory for women across the globe looking to accent their wardrobe with a unique piece of jewelry. The wide variety of Pandora charms and beads allows the owner or gift givers the freedom to create new designs depending on setting, formality, and personal preference. Pandora also releases limited time one-of-a-kind charms that make any Pandora bracelet more unique and special. If you're in the Orlando area and need to buy Pandora jewelry there are several places you can go. Also, going online to look at some of the charms and beads might help you figure out what you're interested in before heading to the store. There are some places that offer sales online, but not all are legitimate so it's probably best to observe the selection online and then head to the store to purchase them.

4200 Conroy Road, Suite 176, Orlando, FL 32839

If you're planning on doing some major shopping, Millennia Mall is a great place to go whether you're looking for Pandora Jewelry or not. This store is open 7 days a week, except for holidays and when the Mall is closed of course. They offer an extensive selection dedicated only to Pandora and are located on Level 1 of the mall between True Religion and Max Studio.com and very near Neiman Marcus. The store phone number is (407) 370-3377.

8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Florida Mall #828, Orlando, FL 32809

One of two locations at the Florida Mall offering Pandora bracelets, charms, and other items. This shop is open during regular mall hours and is located on a corner between the Food Court and JC Penney. This store sells only Pandora Jewelry and can be reached at (407) 888-5757.

5285 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819

Carrying everything that a classic brick and mortar jewelry store should, Jared has quite a selection of designer jewelry including Pandora! Located at the Prime Outlet Mall of Orlando just across the street (International Drive) from the Festival Bay Mall. Very nearby Universal Studios City Walk. Jared can be reached at 407-248-9446

7822 W.

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