Scott and I have lived in South Florida about a year and a half now and we finally visited the infamous Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL. Flamingo Gardens, is a captivating botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary that beckons visitors into a lush, tropical oasis. Nestled amidst 60 acres of natural beauty, it offers a mesmerizing blend of serene landscapes, vibrant gardens, and diverse wildlife. Of course the main attraction are the flamingos, but visitors can also encounter a variety of native and exotic animals, from alligators to birds of prey. The garden’s dedication to conservation and education shines through interactive exhibits, informative tours, and an enriching educational center, making it a delightful destination for nature enthusiasts and families alike.
Botanical Gardens
The botanical garden is a verdant paradise that beckons nature enthusiasts and admirers of lush landscapes alike. Towering trees, vibrant flowers, and exotic foliage create a captivating tableau, offering a feast for the senses and a tranquil retreat from the bustling outside world. From the fragrant blossoms of tropical flora to the diverse array of native plants, the garden showcases the beauty of nature’s tapestry and educates visitors about the importance of plant conservation and sustainability. It’s a place where one can stroll amidst the greenery, appreciate the diversity of plant life, and gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationship between plants and our environment.
Flamingo Gardens History
Flamingo Gardens, was founded by Floyd and Jane Wray in 1927. Floyd Wray was an aviator, horticulturalist, and photographer, and he purchased the land that would become Flamingo Gardens to cultivate citrus trees. Over the years, the gardens expanded and evolved into the botanical garden, wildlife sanctuary, and educational attraction that it is today, showcasing a diverse array of plant life and animal species.
The original house of the Wray’s sits in the center of the gardens and has been preserved to showcase what it looked like when they lived in it.
Aviary
Birds take center stage at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, FL, enriching the sanctuary with their vibrant presence and contributing to the garden’s multifaceted mission. These avian inhabitants, including the iconic flamingos, symbolize the essence of biodiversity, providing visitors a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world. Their captivating behaviors, colors, and interactions serve as powerful educational tools, fostering an understanding of avian ecology and inspiring a sense of environmental stewardship. Additionally, Flamingo Gardens offers a safe haven for injured, rehabilitated, or rescued birds, providing a nurturing habitat for their well-being and enhancing the conservation efforts essential to safeguarding these majestic creatures for future generations to appreciate and cherish.
Endangered and Injured Animals
Flamingo Gardens is a sanctuary that not only showcases the beauty of wildlife but also takes an active role in the conservation of endangered animals. The sanctuary provides a safe haven for various endangered species, offering a chance for these remarkable creatures to thrive and potentially contribute to their species’ recovery. We were able to see a black bear, Florida panther, bobcat, two alligators, sea otters and a variety of turtles and tortoises.
Flamingo Gardens has a large sea otter habitat and it was fun watching the sea otters jump in their pool, wave to us and then take the slide back into the water.
Where are the Flamingos?
The grounds are covered with all kinds of birds ranging from peacocks, peahens, snowy egrets to name a few.
Finally, we found the flamingo pond and there were far more other birds than there were flamingos.
Lego Land
Throughout the gardens, you will find sculptures made completely out of Legos. This award-winning exhibit from Artist Sean Kenney featuring 44 sculptures made from more than 800,000 LEGO® bricks was only on display thru September 4th, so we got lucky.
All in all, we’re glad we took the time to visit this historical spot. It is just another reminder of why we moved to Florida – so we could enjoy outdoor activities all year round. Be sure to check out our YouTube episode (link below) for a full tour of the grounds.
As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe to our channel and blog. You can also follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.
For my birthday this year, Scott and I spent the weekend in the Exumas. We flew out on Wednesday afternoon and we got upgraded to first class on American. The funny thing was that we were the only people in first class!
The flight was about 45 minutes, one of the shortest flights we have been on!
Soon I started to see the beautiful turquoise waters of the Exumas! In just 90 minutes we had landed, gone thru customs and immigration and were in our hotel room!
Sandals Resort Emerald Bay Exumas
For this visit, we stayed at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Georgetown.
The resort was beautiful and upon our arrival, they drove us to our room on a golf cart and gave us a quick tour.
We had a beautiful ocean view room and we had no complaints!
The grounds were well maintained and beautiful. Over the next few days our plan was to relax by the pool, use the Hobie Cats, and go snorkeling.
About the Exumas
The Exumas, a stunning archipelago consisting of over 365 cays and islands, possess a captivating history that mirrors the Caribbean’s rich tapestry. Originally inhabited by the Lucayan people, the islands encountered European explorers during the 15th century. The Exumas became a haven for pirates and privateers during the 17th and 18th centuries, with figures like Captain Kidd leaving their mark.
The islands played a pivotal role during the American Revolutionary War, acting as a base for loyalist troops. The Exumas’ historical significance also includes their role in the salt industry and plantation economy. Today, these islands have transitioned into a paradisiacal destination celebrated for their turquoise waters, vibrant marine life, and luxurious retreats, inviting travelers to relish in their natural beauty and diverse past.
The Beach at Sandals Emerald Bay Exuma
Scott and I were disappointed that we were under a red flag every day, so we were not able to use the water toys. It is hurricane season, so perhaps if we return during normal weather it won’t be so windy. We were really looking forward to taking the Hobie Cat out and trying the paddle boards.
Swimming Pigs
The following day we headed up north to Rolleville to catch our excursion boat. For most of the trip we were on a pot hole filled dirt road! Talk about bumpy!
Check in was easy and within 15 minutes of arriving, we were on the boat and headed out. We were on a double decker power cat and it was extremely comfortable.
We booked a 4 hour (half day) excursion with Exuma Water Sports. Had we booked the full day, we would have headed towards Staniel Cay and the bigger sites. This tour would take us first to the smaller pig beach, then to a blue hole, then to mile sandbar and finally to the iguanas.
The Swimming Pigs
Last year I didn’t get the chance to see the swimming pigs, except for a quick 5 min stop at night. When we arrived the pigs were anxiously awaiting for us.
The excursion company brings fresh water and food to the pigs every day, so they are well cared for.
The origin of the famous swimming pigs of the Exumas, has a somewhat murky and debated history. One popular theory suggests that sailors or settlers may have introduced pigs to the island as a potential food source, leaving them there to breed and multiply. Another story points to shipwrecks, where pigs might have swum ashore after vessels were wrecked. Some locals claim that the pigs were left by sailors who intended to return and use them as a food source but never did.
Regardless of their initial arrival, the pigs have become a beloved attraction in the Exumas. Over time, they’ve become accustomed to visitors and even learned to swim out to boats approaching the beach, expecting food. The swimming pigs have gained worldwide attention through social media and tourism promotions, making them an iconic and endearing symbol of the Exumas’ unique charm.
There was also a very friendly sting ray and it kept swimming between people’s legs.
Blue Hole
Next we headed over to a blue hole. This was only about 30′ deep and we jumped in for a snorkel.
Since it was a bit choppy, the water was a bit murky. But there were plenty of fish, especially the Jack fish. One kept trying to bite me! Watch the video to see the footage.
Mile Sand Bar
After the Blue Hole, we headed to Mile Sand Bar to relax on the beach and enjoy some cocktails. The water was absolutely gorgeous!
Trust me, the photos don’t tell the entire story. You have to see this yourself!
The water was also the perfect temperature!
The beauty about the Exumas is the water and the way it makes you feel as you cruise through the islands. In many areas, we were only in 3 or 4 feet of water!
Time to Feed the Iguanas
We then headed up past Norman’s Pond Cay to Leaf Cay, to feed the iguanas. We were also trying to outrun a major squall that luckily never got us.
They gave us kale leaves to feed the iguanas and as soon as we were on the beach, they came running! Some were fighting with each other over the kale. Again, watch our YouTube video for the footage!
It was a great excursion! I think next time it would be fun to do the entire day or rent a day boat for ourselves. The catch is, we don’t know the waters and these guys were going past and through some sketchy spots. Best to have a local take you.
Wrapping Up Our Weekend in the Exumas
This was a great 4-day trip to the Exumas. It was easy to get to, there was plenty to do at the resort and the people were all incredibly friendly. Being that we are so close, we will definitely be back.
We got to the airport about 2 hours before our flight departed. Don’t expect much. This airport is smaller than the one in Belize! There’s no restaurant or bar, but you can buy wi-fi, snacks and beer from each of the two shops. The photo below is the terminal.
As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe to our blog and vlog (link below) and on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney
Last week Scott and I took a pontoon cruise down the ICW from Deerfield to Delray Beach. Overnight Boat Rentals gave us a deal on the boat for a few hours. Overnight boat rentals offer daily and weekly boat rentals, so it’s a great option for people who want to boat, but not own one. Scott had never driven a single screw or a pontoon boat, so this was a fun experience.
We picked the boat up at Sullivan Park in Deerfield Beach where they have a few public docks available. Brandon, the owner of Overnight Boat Rentals was waiting for us with the captain.
Godfrey Pontoon
Our pontoon was actually a “tri-toon” as it had three pontoons underneath it. It was 26′ in length and had plenty of room for entertaining. It had a side entrance door along with a stern and bow door for easy access.
The helm offered a very comfortable captain’s chair along with the control panel with all of the necessary electronics from Garmin. It also had a Bluetooth stereo by Fusion.
The pontoon was powered by a single Yamaha 150hp outboard. It also had a super sturdy swim ladder and a “Power-Pole” (see black pole to the right). When engaged it keeps the boat from rotating while on anchor.
There was plenty of storage throughout the boat, to help keep your accessories, like lines, fenders and the anchor tidy.
Heading up the ICW
Scott was back at the helm and happy as a clam as we headed up the ICW. Most of the route was a no wake zone, so we took our time enjoying the view. We had the boat for 3 hours, so we figured we’d head north for an hour and half and then turn around.
We did have to wait for a couple of bridges. The clearance on these was only about 7′ at high tide and with our bimini top, we knew we were too tall.
The sites along the ICW
As we arrived in Boca, we came across a large sandbar. At 12pm, it wasn’t that crowded but when we returned, it was packed!
The view never gets old, that is for sure!
Soon, we left the giant mansions and were surrounded by mangrove trees. We had hoped to see a manatee, but no luck. Perhaps the people below saw one?
I’m digging the names of these two yachts – I see a theme here! My style that’s for sure!
On our way back, it was much busier and far more crowded than when we left.
We had a great time spending the day on the water. Our only disappointment was the rude boaters who didn’t follow the “no wake zone” rules – below is a great example. It was a wash machine in the ICW!
A big thank you to Brandon at Overnight Boat Rentals! Just as the title says, they have overnight and weekly rentals available. I think Scott and I will definitely look at renting one over night and head north to explore more.
As always, thank you for following our blog and journey! Be sure to subscribe to our channel (see link below) and follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.
Recently, Scott and I took a quick trip to Sarasota on the west coast of Florida. Scott’s uncle lives just north of Sarasota and we decided to make a weekend trip out of it since we have never been to Sarasota. The drive took us about 4 hours going straight across the state on I-75.
We stayed at the Westin, just overlooking the bay. I picked this hotel because it has a rooftop bar and we would finally be able to see a sunset! Looking at the image below (facing southeast) you can see how FLAT Florida actually is!
Finding a place for dinner
Sarasota has a few very well known areas with great restaurants. One very popular area is St. Armands Circle on Lido Key.
Unfortunately, the traffic to get to Lido Key was nuts, so we decided to walk down to the marina and grab a bit to eat there. Our first attempt was at O’Leary’s Tiki Bar. Sounded cool, however, there’s no table service. You actually stand in line for your food and drinks – no thanks. So we headed back to the other side of the marina and found Marina Jack’s. We had a great view, some live music and the food and service was just okay.
There’s a park along the marina walkway and they have constructed a giant statue of the VE Day moment when a sailor randomly kissed a nurse.
After dinner, we hurried back to the hotel to catch our first sunset since being in Key West last December. It did not disappoint!
Kayaking with the manatees in Sarasota
Since moving to Florida, I have rarely seen any wildlife. I saw one manatee in the Bahamas when we arrived at Atlantis, but that has been it. No dolphins, no whales, no sharks (guess that’s a good thing). We booked our kayak trip with Sea Life Kayak Adventures and they were fantastic! I would highly recommend them! Scott and I took an Uber to the park, because we knew parking was very limited.
Our instructor gave us a brief introduction and then we were off! We had about 15 people in our group.
We left Ted Sperling Park and began to circumnavigate Otter Key in search of manatees.
I am so glad I wore my lightweight water shoes for this trip. They work as tennis shoes and also are water shoes. You can buy them here!
During the trip, our instructor stopped and dove down to bring up sea urchins! He actually handed them to people to hold. What?! I thought they were spiny and dangerous?
The trip was nearly done and we were feeling defeated, but suddenly our guide spots a group of manatees. So we all paddled as fast as we could and before we knew it, about five of them were under our kayaks. It is important to remember that they are still endangered and you can’t touch them or come into contact with them. Watch our video for the footage of our encounter.
The mangroves
As we were heading back, I mentioned “look at those tunnels in the mangroves – I bet you can take a boat back there”. Next thing I know, we were in that tunnel!
I got tangled a few times and then at one point, Scott says, “Oh, wow, they are everywhere”. What are everywhere I wonder!? Then I see them – Mangrove tree crabs. YUCK. They are everywhere – get me out of here! Watch the footage – it’s pretty funny.
The entire trip took about three hours and I would definitely do it again.
When in Sarasota, go to the circus
Let’s be honest – I hate the circus. They treated animals horribly, but their story is pretty fascinating. Scott and I had to go to the Ringling Museum and mansion as that is what founded the city.
The Ringling is the former estate of John and Mable Ringling. It features a museum of art, circus museum, Ca D Zan (the home of john and Mable), the historic Asolo theater and the bayfront gardens.
I recommend spending time in the Tibbals Learning Center. As you enter through the front lobby you are greeted by a giant mural entitled “The Greatest Show on Earth” painted by William Woodward in 1990 which captures the excitement of the ringling Bros and Barnum & bailey experience.
You’ll be transported back in circus history as you stroll through the poster gallery. As you walk thru the museum, you will come upon the Howard Bros Circus Model. It consists of more than 42000 pieces and covers 3800 square feet. The model is a historically accurate rendition of an early twentieth-century circus. The logistical engineering required to move the circus’s entire “tented city” from town to town each day via the railway was nothing short of a miracle.
From there visit the historic circus galleries featuring John and Mable’s magnificent turn-of-the-century private Pullman railcar, the Wisconsin, historic circus wagons of all kinds, an artistic display of painted wagon wheels, and a sideshow bannerline.
The Ringling Mansion
From this museum, we walked through the gardens and toured the first level of the mansion. The photos don’t do it justice, so be sure to watch our video (see link below).
The estate is massive and the mansion was beautiful. Everything about it was designed to the finest detail.
The stained glass windows are the original glass and considering these face out onto the water, it’s amazing they are still in tact.
For a kitchen during the 1920’s, this would still be considered a gourmet kitchen today!
Overlooking the bay in Sarasota
The tour finished outside the mansion on the palatial patio overlooking the bay. I can only imagine the parties they hosted here.
There were so many Banyon trees and they were giant! I walked through one that reminded me of a fort. Unfortunately, I was not digging the weird black lizards!
Scott and I finished our tour of the Ringling by walking through the gardens. One museum we did miss was the Art Museum. We’ll have to check it out next time as we hear it’s amazing.
Our impression of Sarasota
We finished our final day in Sarasota enjoying a great dinner at Clasico Italian Chophouse and we wrapped up our weekend with one more amazing sunset.
This was a great trip and we are looking forward to returning to explore more. With it’s abundant things to do on the water, Sarasota is a great destination for boaters and land lovers. We’ll be back!
As always, thank you for following our journey! Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel (link below) and our boating blog. Follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.
A few weeks ago, Scott and I rented a dinghy for a few hours to cruise along the New River. We rented the boat for $75/hour (two hours) from Salty Blue Fun Rentals. We found them online and we saw that we could walk to the boat to pick it up.
We walked about a mile and a half to a residential area. Now I was thinking, this is not a good idea. I mean, are we renting it from someone’s house?! Turns out there was a marina in the neighborhood and the owner of Salty Blue Fun actually lives on her boat and she rents her dinghy. She and her partner were very nice and got us set up right away.
Where can we go in two hours?
Scott and I hopped in, got a quick run down and off we went. We headed down the canal towards the New River. Remember, the New River is where we walk and also where we pick up the Water Taxi. I didn’t realize how far we traveled until I pulled this map!
Once you leave the canals and head towards the river, you have to watch for big yachts and lots of traffic.
It was really hot and we were so glad the dinghy came with a bimini top. I forgot to take a photo of the dinghy, so the image of the boat is actually from an old ad from when it was for sale. Looks like it cost around $4995 used.
Going Southwest on the River
We cruised through Downtown Fort Lauderdale, passing lots of traffic and bridges. The last time I did this cruise, I was on the Sunseeker 74′ Sport Yacht returning from the Bahamas.
Is there a current?
One thing you will notice while cruising in a dinghy, is the wind. Going Southwest, we had a very smooth ride, but on the return it was definitely wet and bumpy.
Time to turn around
After an hour, we made it to Safe Harbor Marina and we knew we had to turn around there to make it back in the next hour. Safe Harbor Marina is a large shipyard specializing in mega yacht haul outs.
Look closely at the image above. That mural is on the garage door for their yacht boat house. We also stumbled upon a variety of odd sites along the way.
There must have been a duck event this day?
The ride certainly did not disappoint. It was a great way to explore the river and spend time on the water without breaking the bank. Scott and I were so glad we rented the dinghy to spend a fun day on the river. We will definitely rent the dinghy from Salty Blue Fun again and if you are looking for a great boat rental, check them out.
As always, thank you for following our blog and our journey. Be sure to subscribe to our channel (see video below) and follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney. Tune in next week as we head to Sarasota and kayak with the manatees.
Back in March, Scott and I headed down to Barbados for a much needed vacation and this was our first time visiting this Caribbean island. This was a very last minute trip, as I had just given notice at OneWater Yacht Group and I wanted to take a break before starting my new job (CMO at 26 North).
If you recall, Scott and I spent our honeymoon in Antigua at Sandals Resort and have since stayed at numerous Sandals location. Since this was a last minute booking, we decided to once again stay at Sandals since we know the resorts well.
One of the great things about living in Florida, is that we can easily travel to the Caribbean without having to fly 12-14 hours from Washington State. We arrived in Barbados around 1pm after a two hour flight. The resort is located about 15 minutes from the airport and is at the southwest end of the island.
When we arrived to our room, we were pleasantly surprised by our welcome gift. We had a great room that overlooked the pool and the ocean.
There are two Sandals resorts in Barbados, each located next door to each other. We stayed at the Sandals Barbados resort. You can easily walk throughout the entire property to access the restaurants and pools for each resort.
The Beach
The winds stayed consistent at about 25mph during our entire stay. The resort’s beach is located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. There is a reef just off-shore from the beach, but honestly the seas were way too rough to do any kind of water sports during our stay. In addition, Barbados was also dealing with the dreaded seaweed called Sargassum. Unfortunately, the Sargassum is killing fish and other marine life as it is suffocating everything. The resort did a great job cleaning up the seaweed every day to make the beach pristine.
Dining & Amenties
The resort had a couple of cute gift shops and between the two resorts they have 21 restaurants to choose from. It’s a great option, if you want to stay at your resort and not worry about having to walk or take a taxi to dinner.
From our room, we had a great view of the moon overlooking the beach each night. Too bad I didn’t bring our professional camera, as the shot would have been epic.
Snorkeling a Shipwreck in Barbados
We couldn’t go to Barbados without taking a sailing & snorkeling excursion. We picked up our catamaran at the city dock in Bridgetown. The snorkeling company actually runs two identical cats that hold about thirty people each.
We left the dock and headed south to Carlisle Bay to snorkel with the turtles.
Unfortunately, we only saw one turtle and it was a bit murky as the wind was really kicking up. After 15 minutes (yes 15!), the captain called us all in as we were heading to our next location. I assumed we were sailing for a bit to our next spot, but instead he simply moved the boat about 150′ to the shipwreck. By this time, I had dried off and reapplied my sunscreen so I didn’t bother to jump back in. Scott decided he would jump in and check out the shipwreck. Berwyn (a tugboat) was sunk by its crew in 1919. In late 1918, the crew of this 60-foot vessel didn’t want to leave the island when the war ended. A French military ship came into the harbor during World War I. The captain allegedly replied, “over my dead body and a sunken ship.” Consequently, his rebellious crew sank the ship, and – as our tour guide said – “they sunk the ship and went back to the island for more rum!”.” Be sure to check out our YouTube video for the footage of the shipwreck.
After snorkeling for about twenty minutes, we left Carlisle Bay and sailed to another beach where we spent the morning swimming and enjoying the Caribbean sun.
Our excursion ended after four hours and soon it was time to head back to the dock.
One thing Scott and I miss about living in Fort Lauderdale are the sunsets. Sandals Barbados had a cool rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean and the sunset.
Land base tour of Barbados
The following morning we hired a taxi driver to drive us around the island to explore. We’ve done this on many of our past trips including Antigua and St John. For $175 he drove us around for three hours. Scott and I told him what we wanted to see and do, and he got some of it right. In any case, it was really cool to see the island for the first time.
The residents of Barbados love horse racing and in the middle of the track, you will find a giant Barbados flag. This is where the people of Barbados celebrated their independence from Britain in this very spot.
The national flag of Barbados is comprised of three equal vertical panels – the center panel of gold and the outer panels of ultramarine. A broken trident in black is located in the center of the flag. Blue represents the sea and sky of Barbados, while gold represents the sand of the island’s beaches. The symbol at the center of the flag represents the Trident of the mythical sea god, Neptune – the shaft of the trident is broken symbolizing Barbados’ break from Britain.
As you drive through Bridgetown, you will come across many government buildings. Some of these are now museums and some are vacant. We had the chance to see the house that George Washington stayed in for a number of months while trying to bring his brother back to health. Unfortunately, he had TB and never recovered.
Downtown Bridgetown
The Parliament buildings are located in downtown Bridgetown and were built between 1870 and 1874. They are located across the street from the Constitution River where we picked up our snorkeling catamaran.
From the Parliament buildings, we drove about 5 minutes to Rhianna’s home where she grew up in. We also drove by her coastal mansion (see video for that).
Beautiful Coastline
As Scott and I traveled north along the Caribbean side, our driver made it a point to stop so we could enjoy the amazing waters and beaches. Since our resort is at the southern tip of the island where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean sea, we did not have these gorgeous waters.
Barbados symbolizes the Caribbean lifestyle in so many ways, including the vibrant colored homes.
Just up the beach, we made another stop at the Cubana Monument. This memorial was designed by Virgil Broodhagen who was the son of Barbados’ well-known sculptor, Karl Broodhagen. This monument is a memorial commemorates the victims of the Cubana de Aviación Flight 455 bombing that occurred in 1976 in route from Barbados to Cuba.
St James Cathedral
Our next stop was St. James Cathedral, the oldest church on Barbados. What amazes us every time we visit these island churches is not only their age, but the fact that they have survived hurricanes. This church was absolutely beautiful. Another interesting fact is that many famous people have visited the church, including President Ronal Reagan and his wife Nancy.
Orange Fort
Further north is a quaint town called Speightstown. The town was named after William Speight, a wealthy and influential merchant who owned the land on which the town grew. In 1639, William Speight became a member of Barbados’ very first parliament under Governor Henry Hawley. Speightstown became a bustling port town during the early years of British colonization in Barbados. It played a crucial role in the island’s sugar industry, serving as a shipping point for sugar, molasses, and other goods produced on the island’s plantations.
Unfortunately, like other parts of Barbados, Speightstown played a role in the transatlantic slave trade. Enslaved Africans were brought to the island and sold in Speightstown before being transported to plantations to work on sugar and tobacco fields. Speightstown was protected by numerous forts, including Orange Fort. Today, Speightstown remains an important part of Barbados’ heritage. Its historic charm, colonial architecture, and rich cultural heritage attract visitors who appreciate the town’s historical significance.
The coastline of this quaint town is absolutely stunning and we were impressed by the brand new dock they installed for boaters.
The water here is vibrant turquois color and completely clear.
In search of the Abbey
We told our driver that we wanted to stop by St. Nicholas Abbey, which is a historic plantation house located in St. Peter Parish, Barbados. It is one of the island’s most well-known and cherished landmarks. It is believed to have been built between 1650 and 1660. Unfortunately, he took us towards the Abbey, but not to it. Instead we landed at a popular viewpoint for tourists (oh, and saw a monkey!).
Overall, it was still a great tour and we highly recommend hiring a driver to take you on a personal tour when you are visiting a new island. Check with your concierge or front desk, as they have drivers on hand to show you around.
St. Lawrence Gap
St. Lawrence Gap is where the resort is located and home to lots of restaurants and bars. Scott and I took a quick stroll on our last day to check things out. Unfortunately, most were not open yet as it was too early. There are some quaint shops along the way and definitely worth the stop.
Overall Impression of Barbados
Like most of the Caribbean Islands we have visited, we loved all of the people we met in Barbados. This is a vibrant town with friendly residents and there is so much to do. We will definitely be back to visit again. Next time, we will look at staying on the west side of the island where the water is calmer and crystal clear.
As always, thank you for following our blog and our journey. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel (link below) and follow us on social @boatingjourney #boatingjourney.
Before I left my job at OneWater Yacht Group, I was on location for a sea trial and photo shoot in Miami for a Sunseeker Predator 65. Having never been on either (of this scale) I wasn’t sure what to expect. The first day, we hosted sea trials with Boat TV, Power & Motoryacht and Boat International. I left Fort Lauderdale at dawn and arrived by 7:30am. As I approached our yacht, (which was at the Miami Beach Marina), I realized I would need some help getting on the boat. Remember, they have fixed docks here in Florida. It’s hard to see in the photo below, but the swim platform is actually about 3′ below the dock, so my best bet was to swing my leg around to the steps.
Fisher Island
Our first stop was in front of Fisher Island where the film crew could get some great angles with a gorgeous backdrop. Fisher Island is a luxury country club and is only accessible by boat or ferry.
The weather forecast was calling for 20kn winds, so we headed out to sea to start our sea trials.
Channel Markers
Heading out to sea, you will follow the channel markers for quite a ways. You do need to be aware of other marine traffic around you as well.
Before you knew it, we were pretty far off shore.
Sunseeker Predator 65 Sea Trial
Time to put this bad boy to the test. The Predator 65 is known for its’ agile hull and IPS drives that allow just the right amount of lean to feel the thrill – I on the other hand was terrified. LOL!
Using the joystick, the yacht turns on a dime at about 30 degrees, side to side. I didn’t enjoy this part of the trip, but for those that love adrenaline, this is the yacht for you. To get a feel of how it was, be sure to watch our YouTube episode.
Photo Shoot
We spent the following two days (dawn to dusk) doing a photo shoot complete with models and a full crew. First we needed to find a great spot for a back drop and headed towards downtown Miami.
Miami does have a very impressive skyline, but it was too choppy for us to find the right scene.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Hoping that the Vizcaya Museum would be a great backdrop, we headed towards the Key Biscayne bridge towards Deering Channel.
It was extremely shallow and our draft was only 5’3″ and soon we were in 4′ waters.
Unfortunately, the museum didn’t work out as it had some kind of tent structure in front of it. Our crew decided to head south in search of another spot. Make sure you stay in the channel or have outboard engines as you will end up on the sandbar.
In search of the perfect photo shoot spot
Our crew headed south to Hurricane Harbor in hopes we would find a gorgeous estate for our photo shoot backdrop.
There were plenty of boats anchored nearby and we entered the harbor. Soon we were in very shallow waters again and we did not find that amazing estate.
Heading south towards No Name Harbor, we hoped to find the perfect spot. But it was not to be. Instead, we headed to Cape Florida to use the lighthouse as our backdrop. Going south to Cape Florida, you’ll pass “Stilt City”. These are homes people have built and stay in for weekends and vacations. Many were destroyed after the last few hurricanes. It is extremely shallow, so you can only access during high tide.
Photo Shoot Sunset in Miami
Soon the sun was setting and we only had time to capture some amazing shots of the sunset and the city. Because many of the shots were drone shots, I actually had to stay below in one of the cabins, so I wasn’t in the shot. It was definitely an interesting experience.
This “office view” certainly beat my regular desk, so I was not complaining.
As always, thank you for following our journey. Be sure to subscribe to our channel (link below) and blog to stay updated. You can also follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.
Last weekend Scott and I took the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi down to Hollywood, FL. It was a pretty cool trip down the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway).
The entire trip took about 45 minutes. We picked up our first water taxi in DT Fort Lauderdale, at Los Olas (about 2 blocks from our home). Then we transferred to the Hollywood water taxi at the 17th Street stop.
Sight seeing tour
The Fort Lauderdale water taxi is a great way to see the famous sites in Fort Lauderdale. In fact, my college roommate was just here and she took it for the first time. It is a great mode of transportation, but remember that it is also a sight seeing tour, so they announce the sites along the way.
After we transferred to the Hollywood water taxi, we passed by Port Everglades. This is the largest container port in Florida and the 3rd largest cruise terminal in the world.
The super-sized cranes at the Port are the largest of their kind in the world at 175′ and valued at $13.8 million each.
Along the route, you’ll pass by mangroves and marinas. We were hoping to see some manatees, but no luck.
What to see and do in Hollywood, FL.
Once you arrive in Hollywood, you’ll walk across the street and head towards the beach. Here you will find Margaritaville Beach Resort with plenty of dining, shopping and activities.
Finally, we arrived at the Hollywood Broadwalk (yes, broadwalk, not boardwalk). This is lined with shopping, restaurants and rental stores. You could spend all day here, laying by the beach, renting a bike or shopping.
We were shocked to find this artifact! Watch the video (link below) to find out what we think it is.
So if you are looking for a fun way to explore Fort Lauderdale, the ICW and Hollywood Beach, I highly recommend the Water Taxi!
Since moving to Fort Lauderdale last year, Scott and I have enjoyed so many cool experiences. The warm weather allows us to be outside almost every weekend. Let’s look back on everything we did in our own back yard!
Our first month here
One thing you will learn about living in Fort Lauderdale, is that there is something to do every single weekend. You will not be bored. In May, we took the water taxi to the Los Olas Beach for an airshow over the beach!
We found a 9-hole golf course just a few miles from our home. While we didn’t see any gators, we did stumble upon some tortoises.
There is also no shortage of walking routes or restaurants!
Summer in Fort Lauderdale
June, July and August are definitely the hottest months here in Florida. In fact, twice we ventured out and I ended up getting very sick from heat stroke. I have learned my lesson and now we take better precautions.
We do miss hiking in the PNW, but we have found a number of parks with some pretty cool walking trails.
Our first venture of the summer was to the National Everglades Park to ride on jet boat and see some gators. That was a must do!
Being so close to the Florida Keys, we hopped in the car at the end of June and headed to Key Largo for a long weekend.
Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi
It is easy to get on the water, as Fort Lauderdale has a water taxi that cruises up and down the new river. We’ve taken this water taxi a number of times, including Christmas in July, Christmas Light Cruise and our trip to Hollywood.
Summer is only just starting
Hurricane season begins July 1st, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the outdoors. We had heard about a cool farmer’s market called the “Yellow Green Market“, so we had to check it out. It’s a site to see if you are in Fort Lauderdale.
Scott and I have seen some videos about Boca Inlet, so we headed north to check it out. The walk to the inlet was very long and hot. This is one of the days I got heat stroke. It was still a fun day! Here’s the video link of that day.Click here.
We’ve walked a number of times to the Los Olas Beach, which is about a 5 mile round trip from our home. Making this journey in July was brutal!
One morning, Scott and I decided to get up at dawn and watch the sunrise. That was pretty cool!
Summer went by fast for us. For two weekends in August, I was on an epic work trip traveling on a 76 yacht in the Exumas, Bahamas. After that trip, we spent most weekends, laying by the pool.
Fall in Florida
There’s a joke on the internet that Fall in most places is full of beautiful leaves and Florida is simply one palm leaf on the ground. We do miss the changes in seasons, but on the other hand, we love that we did so much this past Fall.
We started September, with another trip to the Florida Keys, this time to Duck Key.
Since September is the peak of hurricane season, we didn’t venture far after Duck Key. Instead, we took advantage of the great weather and enjoyed the scenery in Fort Lauderdale.
During September, when Hurricane Ian hit the west coast, Fort Lauderdale experienced a King Tide that flooded many docks and roadways in downtown.
Staying close to home in September, we drove up to Lauderdale by the Sea. This town is just 15 minutes north of us. It is a very cute town with a beautiful beach and plenty of great restaurants. Sadly, the Angler’s Pier was badly damaged when Hurricane Nicole hit the east coast just a week later.
The year is not over
With three months left in the year, we still had plenty of weekends to explore. October was taken up by FLIBS – Fort Lauderdale Int’l Boat Show. We did walk to the show the weekend before it opened, to check out the super yacht docks.
It seemed like every weekend in November had a festival. The month kicked off with the Day of the Dead festival. Downtown Fort Lauderdale closed off the streets, brought in food trucks, mobile bars and hosted a parade.
The following weekend we headed up to Palm Beach for the Luke Bryan concert. It was so nice, being at an outdoor concert in November! Plus, there was no shortage of bars!
The next weekend, Downtown Fort Lauderdale hosted their first Mutts and Martinis festival. We met some great vendors and Scott was selected to be a judge for the cutest dog contest.
As Thanksgiving was approaching, we decided to enjoy our long holiday weekend aboard Royal Caribbean. It was our first ever cruise on a large cruise ship and since it was just a 3-day trip to the Bahamas, we decided to check it out.
Christmas in Florida
Our close friends Ben and Maria flew in from Seattle to join us in Key West at the start of December. Key West knows how to do Christmas. We highly recommend heading that way.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale didn’t disappoint either. As we mentioned earlier in the blog, we took a water taxi cruise to see the holiday lights, plus we enjoyed Winterfest. Winterfest is Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Boat Parade and it is a big deal here!
Scott and I were supposed to fly back to Seattle on December 23rd, but due to weather our flight was cancelled. Ironically, Christmas Eve was brutally cold here at about 38 degrees with the windchill factor. So we decided to walk to the Los Olas Beach and check it out. While it was nice that it wasn’t 90 degrees, it was brutally cold!
So much to see and do in South Florida
This has certainly been a year filled with experiences and amazing memories. Since moving here, we have yet to see a manatee, whale or a dolphin. But we have seen plenty of other critters and wildlife.
Whether you are visiting or moving to Fort Lauderdale, know that there is plenty to see and do. Scott and I are looking forward to 2023 and we’re excited to see where our adventures take us this year.
As always, thank you for following our blog. Be sure to subscribe and also follow our YouTube Channel (link below). You can follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney. Cheers, Scott and Ally
Last month we headed back down to Key West with our friends Ben and Maria. Our first stop was Robbie’s of Islamorada of course. It never disappoints and is a must see. This time the pelicans were in full force when we were trying to feed the tarpon.
We stayed three nights at the Opal Resort in downtown Key West which was walking distance to most restaurants and shops. Our room was fantastic and as you can see our ocean view was blocked by a cruise ship. Luckily, it left that evening.
Our first night in Key West
Since this was the first time Ben and Maria have been to Key West we had to hit all of the famous restaurants and bars. We grabbed dinner at Sloppy Joe’s and had drinks at Dirty Harry’s and Captain Tony’s Saloon. What we didn’t know, was the history behind Captain Tony’s which we learned the following night on our haunted pub crawl.
Be sure to look for our Boating Journey sticker!
We were there December 1st and the entire town was decked out for the holidays!
Southern Most Point
The next morning the four of us headed towards the southernmost point, an attraction none of us have been to before. If you recall, the four of us have been to the easternmost point on Saint Croix, so this was cool that we got to do this together. Word of caution though, there will typically be a line for photo opportunities.
The Cable Hut
The walk there was fun and entertaining.
We had to stop at the Green Parrot for a cocktail and then had a wonderful lunch at the First Flight Brewery, located in original Pan Am Office.
Shipwreck Museum
Later that day, Scott and I decided to check out the Shipwreck Museum. The museum offers a rich history of the shipwrecks and the wreckers that would salvage the goods off of the boats. There were hundreds of shipwrecks outside of Key West, due to the shallow reefs. The story goes, that “wreckers” would flash lights to deceive captains and then the ships would run aground. The wreckers would then steal the goods off of the ships.
The view from the very top lookout was amazing and I had no idea there were that many boats in the Harbor.
Haunted Pub Crawl in Key West
That evening we watched another amazing sunset and enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Bruschetta Francesca. All of the pasta was handmaid and it was amazing.
After dinner we were pleasantly surprised by a bicycle parade. The bikes were all lit up and people had on costumes.
From there we headed to our haunted pub crawl. Key West is also known as bone island if you want to know the story there you have to do the pub crawl. Our tour guide was fantastic he wouldn’t allow us to film but I did get some cool pictures of each of the houses he took us to.
The story behind Captain Tony was he had a wife and a lover and the wife ended up killing the lover. Her tombstone is actually in the bar itself. The wife was then hung by the town hanging tree and that tree is still growing inside Captain Tony’s Saloon. During the building’s construction, while removing old flooring, workers discovered the skeletal remains of several people. They kept one of the skeleton’s and it sits behind the bar.
Our guide walked us to more haunted houses and shared each of their stories. Let’s just say, Key West is one of the most haunted cities in the US!
Snorkeling in Key West
The following day we had a snorkel trip scheduled with Fury Water Adventures and we headed out to Archer Key. Unfortunately it was extremely choppy and the current didn’t make for pleasant snorkeling so we cut that portion of the trip short.
The boat was loaded with paddle boards, noodles and kayaks. In addition, this was the first excursion, that put out breakfast bites of fruit and pastries.
Next we headed to a sandbar called Woman Key and while we had a good time, it wasn’t nearly as warm as it was in Duck Key. On top of that we did see sea urchins and we were barefoot so that made us a little uneasy walking through the sand and rocks. They did provide beer and sparkling wine for us at the sand bar.
Our captain and first mate of the boat were fantastic and lunch was the best we have ever had on an excursion. They offered salad, fried chicken, pasta and a veggie platter! Amazing.
Fort Zachary in Key West
We got back early in the day and so Scott and I decided to walk to Fort Zachary just about a mile and a 1/2 from the hotel. Along the way, we walked through the Truman Annex, a gorgeous neighborhood. The first weather bureau is located here too.
This Fort was fully surrounded by Confederate territory yet it was maintained by the Union during the Civil War. In 1971 it became a National State Park.
Key West Holiday Parade
Once again we enjoyed a beautiful sunset at the hotel and then headed off to another amazing dinner this time at the A and B Marina.
Being in key Western the holidays we have no idea what to expect but they had decorated the whole town beautifully. That evening we got another surprise with the town parade for the holidays. It was the perfect ending of a fantastic weekend in Key West.
We are glad we finally stayed in Key West. This allowed us to learn about its’ history and enjoy live music and libations. The nightly parades were a bonus and it helped to kick off the holiday season.
As always, thank you for following our journey! Be sure to subscribe to our blog and vlog (see video below), as we have more boating adventures to come. Follow us on social media @BoatingJourney #boatingjourney.
Cheers, Scott and Ally
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