Day 9 | 26.03.2019 | Orlando - Daytona Beach

Today was supposed to be a very special day. As a child, I never even dreamed of being able to be on the NASA grounds and see everything from where the only 12 people in human history who have set foot on the moon began their journey.

At first, you can compare the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to a normal theme park. Many visual highlights like a Rocket Garden, several cinemas, and a Hall of Fame of U.S. space travel. Everything perfectly staged as always. We watched a film about our Earth and the ISS in the IMAX 3D cinema, narrated by Jennifer Lawrence - really very interesting and impressive.

But then we also went on the bus tour. It was spacey how I, along with my wheelchair, was transported into the regular NASA bus using a lift. Then we got to see a lot and Annie, the driver, explained everything to us. From Launch Pad 39a (the launch pad of Apollo 11) to the VAB (the most famous NASA building) to Pad 39b, from which the Mars expeditions will soon start. The future is now.

Our bus ride ended at a large building where another cinema was waiting for us. We experienced the launch of Apollo 11 from the perspective of Mission Control again. Very impressive.

Then we entered a huge hall where a real Saturn V rocket was installed and within reach. The most powerful rocket engines ever built... We could see the 3 stages of separation, everything was explained with a lot of passion.

In the MoonRock Café, we had a snack and took a lot of great and very unique photos. There was something to discover everywhere. I couldn't stop marveling and being thrilled.

Much later, we returned by bus. You are not allowed to wander around here, after all, the Kennedy Space Center is an active spaceport.

In the Visitor Complex, we discovered the Space Shuttle Launch Simulator and also tried it out. A whole building, not just a ride, where you gradually approach the topic and not only have a lot of fun, but also learn something.

All in all, we spent more than 8 hours here at the NASA grounds and it was super interesting and an unforgettable experience.

In the evening, we went to Daytona Beach where the next highlights awaited us. First the hotel, because it was right on the beach. And our room has a balcony with a sea view. More about that tomorrow.