GATORADE

It just wouldn’t be a trip to Florida without a trip to the Everglades. So of course, we obliged. They are far closer to Miami than you would imagine, with the park itself stretching as far north as Orlando almost. It’s a pity that this ecosystem looks likely to sustain some long-term damage from the oil spill and the inadequacy of BP, but enough about that.

We went to the Everglades Alligator Park (http://www.everglades.com/) which offered an opportunity to (as the name suggests) get up and close with Alligators. Very close in fact. The fences are by no means thick. It’s just your standard fencing (the stuff you see at music festivals). That’s it. If you stick your fingers through the holes, bad luck. You will lose your finger. Or get the shit scared out of you as you walk past a docile looking alligator that starts hissing at you and then lunges at the fence when you are half a foot away from it. Yes, that is what happened to me.

We stayed and watched all the shows that the park offered (alligator feeding, alligator wrestling and a snake show). It was the same host for all three, and he was by far the most entertaining host ever. The jokes didn’t stop, and he had an especially good time when he picked out a Belgian girl to be his volunteer for the snake show.

However, we did really go for the true boat ride through the Everglades which we got to achieve, and get wet in doing so. And get very very very very close to the wildlife. So close in that if you put your hand over the side of the boat, you could pat one of the alligators that decided to come and hang out right next to our boat. Apart from that, it’s driving over half water, half vegetation for a solid half hour, and as plain as that sounds, you do get to take in the scenery, which is much more intriguing than it sounds. Oh by the way, it’s not as if they talk you through the Everglades on these boats for the whole thing. The boat is loud. Very loud. And people get wet. The drivers make sure of this.

Good fun had. Back to Miami now.

PS. Because this also doubled as an alligator farm, you can guess what we ate for lunch.

On the road to Conche County

So today, we went and hired our car (which I haven't even taken a photo of yet... we named her KW), and headed south along the keys to Key West. Drive took about 3 hours, and it was not only interesting, but refreshing to get away from the glitz and pretentiousness of Miami. To sum up Miami (moreso South Beach where we were), it's like a combination of Kings Cross & Darling Harbour with a hint of Bondi in there. A lot of attitude, and if you don't like people getting up in your face, then probably stay away from here. Don't get me wrong, Miami was definately nice for a holiday (very nice beach) but as far as the culture goes, very much up in your face, and everybody trying to make a name for themselves. A lot of sleazy guys, but also a lot of scantily clad girls. Very hot the whole time (was always at least 33 degrees during the day) so have developed a bit of colour compared to what I would have in Sydney.

Driving down US-1, you got to see a lot of different independent diners and small resorts (they literally littered the highway), and not a neon sign in sight! We stopped at a little diner (the one in the photo) where I got served an Iced Tea (home made of course) in a pitcher jug (MASSIVE). We ordered GATOR BITES (little bits of deep fried alligator tail, seasoned and served with chipotle mayo and a squeeze of lemon) and they were DELICIOUS. I'm tempted to go and find somewhere that serves alligator steaks, because the meat was phenomenal. A little like pork, but a bit gamier.

Also had a slice of the compulsory KEY LIME PIE. Let me put it this way - I couldn't finish a slice it was so sweet. And big. Massive. Nice, but only in small doses. I'm not one for overly sweet things, so it might go down a little differently for others (forgot to take a photo, but I'm sure I'll eat some more somewhere - everywhere sells it).

We drove over the 7-mile bridge on the way down, weaving through the islands, which is, just as it sounds, a bridge that is 7 miles long. Not that you really notice much apart from blue on either side.

Safe in the hotel now, will probably end up going out for dinner, before coming home and planning for tomorrow. It's a little windy down here for now, so not quite beach weather, but still quite warm.

Adios!

PS. The pictures to the other posts will come later tonight when we get back to the hotel.