From Broken hill to the Amazon jungle.

[drron]

The Swissotel in quito is very nice.obviously with no status no exec longe priveleges but a nice room on 4th floor.Quite large,very nice bathroom and a place to consider definetly if visiting Quito.That night taken out to the Theatrum restaurant in the Old Town.Meant to be one of the best and food is good but not outstanding.Taken with an Israeli family of 4 who kept us waiting 45 minutes and on arriving at the restaurant refused to sit at the table for 6 allocated going to a vacant table of 4.Just hoping they are not on our cruise!
Back for a nights sleep and up at 6 for the breakfast buffet.An incredible selection with quite a few things I had no clue as to what they were.The good news is that on Saturday and Sunday the breakfast buffet includes champagne.Not well advertised but there it was amongst the fruit juices-well a Spanish sparkling anyway.So for you champagne lovers just keep a note.
Just one other couple staying at the Swissotel for our cruise and fortunately not THE family.A couple from texas now living in Mexico who we get close to over the next 8 days.Flying Aerogal from UIO to GPS via Guayaquil.Surprise we get to use their lounge-sandwhiches,rolls coffee etc and nice comfortable seats and boarded first.Aerogal34 soon has us flying over the Andes.Strange to see snow on one of the peaks-the only place in the world that can be 0 degrees latitude and 0 degrees C at the same time.Pilot is Vladimir and when he steps out of the coughpit after landing in guayaquil he looks just as you would imagine with the tash and sunnies.
2 hours from guayaquil to GPS and we are served lunch.On the 30 minute segment from UIO they managed to serve us a nice muffin and beverage.
After landing at GPS our first sight of the wildlife as an iguana scurries across the runway.No problems getting through the airport as long as you have $US100 each for the national park fee.Soon on the bus and taken to Baltra port.At the l;anding sealions are sleeping on the benches-what a smell!Onto the pangas and out to our home for the next week-the Athala 2.
More next time.

 

[drron]

We meet our fellow passengers-the retired couple now living in Mexico,a retired couple from Washington DC,a retired couple from boulder,colorado,a divorced fellow from LA and his daughter,a couple from Tel Aviv and their son(no not THE family) and a DJ from Minneapolis and friend.The retirees have it.We get the safety drill and set off for Bartholome.Cruise for about 2 hours.First a panga ride and see our first galapagos penguin.Lunch is buffet style.Every meal starts with a soup and most contain potato.Then a beef stew and a fish dish with a choice of salads and finally fresh fruit.After lunch our first snorkelling event.Fantastic.Great visibility and over 20 varieties of fish plus eels,starfish etc.Swimming with a school of hundreds of Surgeon fish is great.Getting back to boat served a fresh juice plus a plantain snack-boy will we get sick of plantain.
After this a climb to the top of the Island-marine iguanas,sea lions,pelicans then a great view from the top.Back to the boat for a champagne reception to meet the crew then dinner-soup,steak,ice cream.The first problem arises-the barman is not the regular and insists they have no sav.blanc-he finds it the next night but there are only 2 bottles-$30.He has very little english.
After dinner we do an overnight traverse to Isla de Fernandina the newest and most westerley island-that is the next instalment.

 

[drron]

As we arise for breakfast later a local fishing boat is alongside.We will find out later why.Breakfast is always good and soon after we are off to land on Fernandina.Marine Iguanas,turtles,a new born sea lion,coughies(of the feathered kind),pelicans,frigate birds,a flightless cormorant nesting and very watchful of the Galapagos hawk and a nesting blue heron.What is amazing is that the animals have no fear-particularly the blue footed coughies who will walk right up to you.
Back for lunch as we motor to the northern part of Isabella island.Meatloaf and fish are the choices.After lunch our second experience of snorkelling-rays,turtles including one swimming straight for drron veering off when about 2 feet away,swimming with a penguin either side with coral beneath,sea lions and thousands of fish.Water so clear.Incredible.Then a panga ride before back to the boat for dinner.Sand slipper lobster from the local fishermen-we are told they needed to trade for some regular food.subsequently people on other boats reported exactly the same experience.Call me cynical.At least we got a whole lobster-the others only got a half each.
After dinner we did the night traverse to Santiago island-in the process crossing the equator for the 4th time in 2 days so the traditional ceremony with pina coladas.
Santiago next.

 

[drron]

Monday and after breakfast it is snorkelling off the north side of Santiago island.As i leave the beach I am followed by an old bull sea lion but he decides i am no problem.Then rammed by a damsel fish that decides i am intruding on its territory.Once again hundreds of fish,starfish and sea urchins.Then a walk to see the Galapogos fur sea lion.Different birds here-darwin finches,mocking birds,yellow warblers.Back to the beach and a new born sea lion with placenta still attached.Back to the boat for lunch,beef stew and spinach cannelloni.
Monday afternoon and a short traverse to Rabida Island.Again snorkelling.Initially it appeared boring but gradually more and more fish.Had lagged behind the group and was swimming in a school of small fish when an explosion in my left ear.Surface and their is a blue footed coughy floating beside me.Put the head back under and seconds later another enters 2 feet in front,gets it's fiss and veers off to the right.What an experience and privilege.Next a young sea lion trys to teach me how to swim,then a large ray.Back into the panga and cruise the shore-nesting pelicans with young,more coughies,sea lions,fur sea lions,marine iguanas,turtles etc etc.
Dinner-chicken and beef shaslicks.
Next to San Critobal to leave our DJ and pick up some honeymooners from New Joisey.

 

[drron]

Tuesday morning sees us pulling in at Isla de Lobos.As we anchor 2 dolphins go past.Days highlights are nesting frigate birds inflating their red throats.Also as usual coughies,pelicans,swallow tail gulls,mockingbirds and finches,sea lions,turtles and a ray.
To St.Cristobal and the shops.A word of warning-do not use the internet cafes-slower than the tortoises.Had lunch at the Misano restaurant and decided to be decadent and politically incorrect for mrsdrrons birthday.Decreased the lobster population by 2.Served with fries and salad for $12.50.As usual washed down by a chilean Sav.blanc.
The afternoons excursion is to a tortoise breeding centre-a long drive over a bad road in misty rainy conditions to see a few small land tortoises.Drron rescues it for the bird fanciers by spotting one of the 100 surviving Chatham mockingbirds.
Back to the boat which has had problem nunmers 2 and 3.First it has slipped its anchor and hit another ship.Fortunately the damage is way above the water line.Next-they havent replenished the sav.blanc stocks.However the regular barman is back and service improves.Dinner is supposedly a pork chop but is ham steak.Has to be washed down with an Argentinian palamino fino.not too bad.
Now for the night transit to Espanola island.That is next.

 

[Keith009]

Excellent updates, drron. Your adventures make fantastic reading! I am glad you are having what seems like an awesome time in South America.

More please.

 

[drron]

Its now Wednesday and Espanola island.A beach landing at Gardner Bay-a picture perfect white beach covered with Sea lions including a just born fellow with placenta still attached.The mockingbirds are eating this.A few stupid tourists from another boat posing with newborn and turning backs to mum-fortunately for them nothing happens.Then snorkelling-not nearly as good as previously with less visibility and less fish but a few playful young sea lions.Lunch is thousand year old chicken-tough as anyway.
After lunch to Suarez Point.Sea lions,marine iguanas as always.As we leave beach there are 3 pairs of blue footed coughies doing their courtship dance-one pair only a foot away.Then Nazca coughies,nesting coughies,coughie chicks.Then to see the Wave gannets including chicks,taking off from cliff and then 2 couples doing their courtship dance with clashing beaks.Again one pair is a foot from drron-this is amazing stuff.
Getting back to landing and a sea lion is refusing to get off path.Onto slippery rocks and one goes down but manages to save his expensive camera.Back onto boat and dinner is shrimp-quite OK.
Next morning is Post Office Bay on Floreana island where whalers exchanged messages.Not really worth it.
Next instalment-drron's perfect moment and disaster strikes.

 

[drron]

After Post office Bay it was a short trip to the next snorkelling site at Cormorant Point.Very strong current around a group of rocks.We go in off the pangas.The first in saw some reef sharks but by the time I was in they had gone.I was with Marty from DC who was my snorkelling buddy.He had been unsure at first but by now was taking to it like a duck to water.Again many fish,rays and a fantastic coral garden.
i had also been asked by our guide to keep an eye on the young israeli as although he was a very strong swimmer he was slightly challenged and did tend to do his own thing.He did this again swimming off from the group.I went after him but he was too good so i signalled a panga in to keep an eye on him.I was now a fair way from group and as i drifted along a sea lion turned up to play.I did m,y best to imitate him which obviously amused him.He swam all around me finally coming up alongside and putting his flipper around me as if to say-"don't give up your day job."Absolutely fantastic!
Had to get back into the panga from the water-not a pretty sight.Get back to the boat and I am called to the top deck.Mrsdrron has taken a tumble out of the hot tub.A wave hit just as she was getting out and down she went.Nice egg on the head plus bruises to arm,thigh and back.Fortunately nothing broken.We notified Haugan cruises and they responded well.ringing us when back in Quito,sending a bottle of wine and fruit when in the jungle but most importantly saying they are putting in a hand rail when the boat goes into dry dock shortly.
After lunch I do the trek on Floreana and we see flamingoes,more coughies with chicks and scores of rays within metres of the beach.Drron is again first to find another form of life as a bluebottle wraps itself around my ankle.Dinner tonight is meant to be BBQ ribs but again is ham on the bone.Tonight we motor to Santa cruz-the next instalment.

 

[drron]

Friday begins with a visit to the Darwin centre to see the giant Galapagos tortoises and land Iguanas.This unfortunately is the only time we can see the large tortoises up close.See Lonesome George the only remaining Pinta tortoise who has finally mated with 2 females at the age of 100 approx.Poor old fellow grew up alone and didnt know what to do.
Walked back through town and the myriad of souvenir places to the dock at the other end of town.There barges are being unloaded but despite this a dozen blue footed coughies are doing co-ordinated dives for fish right there.
Back to the boat and travel to Isla Plazas.We see land iguanas in the wild as well as their marine cousins,the ubiquitous sea lions,coughies,tropic birds and nesting wave-tailed gulls.
It is then off to anchor at North Seymour Island for our last night on the boat.Dinner is a cook out on the top deck-this is really good and should have been done more often.After dinner we have to settle our bar bills.They make this complicated.To the quoted price is added 12% tax,10% service fee and if you use a CC an extra 10%-common in Ecuador.Fortunately we were aware of this and had plenty of cash-using cash the 10% service fee is taken off so in fact you end up paying 20% for using a CC.
When you get back to the cabin the envelopes for tips are on the bed-they suggest at least $80pp for the crew and $50pp for the guide.A rotten US bit of ?culture that has been taken up enthusiastically by the Ecuadorians.Beware your envelopes are coded and will be opened before you get off the boat-from talking to others on different boats this seems to be commonplace.Our envelopes had a different animal or bird image for each of the cabins.
Next instalment-our last excursion and back to Quito.

 

[drron]

It is an early morning start before breakfast for our last excursion.After making our way around the sea lions the first thing we see are nesting frigate birds with many of the males puffing out their red neck pouch to attract a female.Towards the end of the walk 3 of us saw a male blue footed coughy kill a chick.The mother then returned and chased him off.Message to PETA-nature is cruel.
Now a short run to Baltra port and finally disembarking.A short wait for a bus to take us to the airport.No lounge access this time-must not have tipped enough!Share a bottle of sav blanc with our new friends from Mexico.Sitting on the steps to the restaurant-full of germans sitting and not eating or drinking.
Finally on to Aerogal0035 to UIO via Quayagil.This time a 737-200 with rows 1-3 premium seating.We of course are back in row 10.Once again lunch served to Quayagil and a snack to UIO.The FA's were the same as going to GPS.Now they didnt recognise drron-guess it is a case of seen one gringo seen them all.
Landing uneventful and soon taxiing past the vintage planes again.Very quickly to the Hilton Colon picking up our luggage from the Swissotel on the way.At checkin we are redirected to the Exec.lounge for checkin.Great an upgrade and lounge access.I will sum up the Hilton after our return from the jungle.
Next our VIP airways flight to Coca and the trip to the Napo Wildlife Centre in the Amazon Jungle.

 

[drron]

Monday morning and picked up after breakfast and taken to the airport.Checkin is done for us as well.Security is a shambles.Taking only our normal carryons and am assured they will be able to be taken in the cabin.Everyone gets into the "lounge".Very exclusive.They have rolls and sandwhiches as well as juices,coffee etc.
Time for boarding comes and goes and everyone is told we will board as soon as we find the plane-I have visions of a team going around the airport saying i know we left it here somewhere!Plane finally arrives and we board-Dornier 328 with 1-2 seating though 2 seats only in rows 1 and 12.It becomes obvious our bags will not fit overhead or under seats so they spend the flight sitting in row 12.Only a 30 minute flight.FA is buckled in the whole time.
Soon land,collect my bags from row 12 and out to the"bus".A row of covered seats on the back of a truck.Mrsdrron has difficulty getting up to the seats with her bruises.The first step is a beauty.5 minutes and we are at the Napo river and transfer to the motorised canoe-has a cover overhead but no side protection and as we gain speed everyone gets wet.Pass numerous oil company camps,large barges with trucks and drilling equipment.Definitely not virgin territory.After about 2 and a half hours arrive at the "warehouse where we are divided into smaller groups of 6 and assigned a guide.Once again there is "the family" with 2 fairly noisy kids.Everyone is crossing their fingers.We are fortunate again.Then into a fibreglass "dugout"canoe.Before long our first wildlife-a 3 toed sloth.Then a solitary squirrel monkey.An amazing assortment of birds of every size.
Arriving at the lodge and the first impressions are good.Met at the dock by Marcello the barman with a fresh juice.Then up to the dining room where we are assigned rooms.Once again no checkin.
The room is nice-our own cabana.Comfortable bed,shower and a spare room.On the balcony a hammock.Unpack and back to the dining room for a briefing and dinner.
That is for the next report.

 

[Driver]

Once again I am enthralled! What amazing experiences - can't wait for the next installment!

 

[drron]

At the briefing an outline of Napo is given.It is now 100% owned by the Anangu community part of the Quichua ethnic minority.Since inception they have collected National park fees from visitors from other lodges-previously these were ignored.The community is responsible for 82 square miles of the Yasuni National Park.The rest is exploited.
So on to dinner-fish cooked Ecuadorian style.Quite nice.Fortunately they have a good supply of Chilean Sav.blanc.Not much to do after dinner so off to bed under the mosquito net.Wake up call is 5am,breakfast 5.30am and off to the parrot licks at 6.Unfortunately they combine 2 groups for this excursion and we are with "the family".Although the parrots are around they all take off before coming down to the clay lick.So off to the second-not as good a view of the parrots but a guide makes sure there is silence so we do experience hundreds of parrots coming and going.
Back to the warehouse for lunch-much better chicken than on the boat washed down by the local beer.After lunch a demonstration of community life,a demonstration by a sharman(picked up a few pointers),see their handicrafts and then off to see the smallest monkey-the Pygmy Marmoset.In the canoe on way back we see at least 100 Capucin and Squirrel monkeys.Also the sloth,an electric eel,caiman lizards and then a large caiman.Also again a variety of birdlife including macaws,vultures,herons and kingfishers.Back to the lodge and there is Marcello again waiting with the fresh,cold juice.
Mrsdrron because of her injuries spends most of the time stretched out on the hammock.Marcello calls by at regular intervals with a cold juice-he is a real asset to the centre.Dinner tonight is Garlic prawns-again very nice.
Next instalment-day 3.

 

[drron]

Day 3 and another 5am wake up call.The group has decided on the 5 hour hike through the jungle.As always it starts with a canoe trip to the trail head.Along the way we see Golden Tamarin monkeys.A short way into the endurance trip(drron has a ****y knee),we see 2 groups of 4 blue and yellow macaws-magnificent.Thanks to our native guide we get close up to 3 different groups of spider monkeys-1 group feeding and 2 traversing the jungle-a privilege indeed.soon however drron is doubting the wisdom of this pursuit.Several times he has to put in the hard yards to catch the peloton.Although the ups and downs are minor hillocks they are starting to feel like the Pyrenees.Just over 2 hours and my shirt is totally soaked.3 hours and so are my pants.By now I start to realise that i have only been going through the foothills of the pyrenees.Now these little rises are really like mountains.We have a rest and are refreshed by Ecuadorian passionfruit.another hour and drron calls for another break.Now I can empty the sweat out of my wellies-our native guide has never seen anything like it.
2 of the group are Dutch police officers and they cant believe this trick either.Our native guide decides to look after me by stopping for every frog and insect.By now the peloton has to wait for me.I am in survival mode.30 minutes later the cramps set in.Pity they dont have scales in the jungle-I must have lost kilos.fortunately another 15 minutes we are back at the canoe.On the way back to the lodge we see the biggest local caiman-he is blind in the left eye.
Back at the lodge and Marcello is waiting with the juice.he quickly works out that drron needs 2 glasses.A shower and up to lunch-chicken salad,fillet mignon and a banana and cheese dessert.Fortunately a lazy afternnoon as the cramps now set in big time.Recover in time for a canoe ride on the lagoon at sunset.

 

[drron]

Another day in the jungle,another 5am wake up call!Off to the viewing tower in the middle of the jungle-38M up in a kapok tree.The others are really keen and soon we see macaws,toucans,capucin monkeys etc.Poor old drron though is rather fragile today and after an hour I requisition the one seat up in the tree and retire to the shade.
Now drron has this peculiar belief-he can talk to the birds.Sitting by myself i start imitating the various bird calls.Over the next 2 hours at least 25 different species come and sit on the branch near drron including 2 rare sightings and 1 species that is not supposed to be here.The highlight though is a little flycatcher who decides to catch a cicada half his size.Bangs it around a bit then flips it head first and swallows it whole-sits on the branch for the next 45 minutes-now this I can relate to!
On the way back we pass million of army ants and leaf cutting ants.Then a nest of marching wasps-everyone makes a loud noise and from the nest is the unmistakable sound of a thousand marching feet.
Lunch again is a very nice fish dish.Late afternoon a canoe ride around the afternoon and down a small creek.One of our dutch police spots something-the canoe stops and drron finds his head is about a foot from the head of a 4M Anaconda-its body the size of my thigh.Snakes are not my thing but fortunately it takes fright first,backs up then slithers off quickly into the water in front of the canoe.
After this we head off to see the night monkeys-nocturnal feeders-we are in luck and see them depart their daytime hiding place close up.This is all exceeding my expectations.On the way back as it is now dark out come the lights and we see a myriad caiman eyes-and they said it was safe to swim in this lagoon.The only disappointment is not seeing the giant river otters-they have a matriarchal community and unfortunately a few months ago mum went and got herself eaten by a caiman.
Dinner that night is buffet style and again quite nice.
next back to civilisation.

 

[drron]

Well it is time to leave the jungle.Celebrate with a 6am wake up call.Unfortunately today it is raining.The canoe trip down to the warehouse is not nearly as pleasant even though again a large troop of squirrel monkeys go overhead as they cross the creek.Also see a freshwater stingray.The motorised canoe back to Coca on the Napo river is even worse.With the speed the rain comes straight through the vessel and everyone is saturated.Thank goodness this is the dry season.As our guide says it really should be the Wet Season and the Very Wet Season.
Back to Coca,up on the back of the truck and packed in as our bags are in the last 2 rows of seats to be out of the rain.Amazed at the 2 fellows that are on each side of the bus-one arm on each of the 2 rows of bags but didnt flinch as the "bus"speeds around the corners.Back to the VIP lounge.This time we insist on our bags being checked in.This time mrsdrron and I are seated next to each other.Before we have time to blink we are back in Quito and off to the Hilton.It is great to be able to put the paper down the toilet and have a soak in the bath.
We go straight back to the Exec lounge and checkin.This time 1 floor higher on 16 and a mountain view.The Exec lounge is very good-a good breakfast spread with hot items.Good range of snacks at night and good Chilean wines(as well as beer and spirits).There are 2 free computers in the lounge though whilst we were there kids were playing on them.However internet access is only $10 per day and both stays they gave us 48 hours for $10.For the rate we paid I thought our stays were good value.
At the Hilton they have recently opened an Executive Towers-but only 6 floors so how come Towers?On the second stay the place was empty so we had breakfast in the Towers lounge-very well appointed but much more limited offerings than the exec lounge.The second day we were able to have breakfast in their ordinary restaurant-The Cafe Colon-do they know the implications of that name?This opens at 4.30am for breakfast so convenient for early starts.
On our first night on both stays we had dinner at the Hilton's Sushi bar-it was excellent and pretty cheap.The other 2 nights we did with the Exec floor offerings.The Hilton is well situated-fairly close to the Old Town.Opposite a park which we heard had a Sunday market-in fact it was there the 5 days we were at the Hilton-just larger on the weekends.On weekends there were also artists and musicians around the park.The market was great and prices really cheap.There is another market about a block behind the Hilton and yet another about 3 blocks away.We talked to a few people who went to Otavalo for the Indian markets-over 3 hours by bus away.The prices they paid were higher than we paid in Quito
On the Saturday we went to Telerifico-where you get a cable car up one of the mountains-now a word of warning-Quito is at 9,300ft and the cable car goes up to 15,500ft.We were feeling it in Quito but at the top mrsdrron started to turn purple so we didnt stay long there.It is worth doing though with a great view.Farming goes right up and there is an Alpaca corral and church right behind the upper viewing area.Going up you go through a large area of gum trees.Thoughts of home.
At the bottom of the cable car is an amusement park so we spent a while just watching the locals have fun.Next a taxi back.We were warned of taxis in Quito and to always ask them to turn the meter on-we did leaving the Hilton and were charged $4 though we were told fare should be less than $3.Coming back I just said hilton-$3.The driver agreed and we came back a different but much quicker route.Passed a local hospital and in the next block were at least 4 burial places-gives you great confidence.
Mrsdron pampers herself with a massage-says it is good and reasonably cheap.Lunch in the Cafe Colon-with a beer less than $20.
Next Florida here we come!

 

[drron]

On our final night in Quito there were only 5 people who came to the lounge for the drinks plus snacks-sure was empty.Breakfast at 6am and off to the airport at 6.30.Only passengers allowed in to the checkin area-security keeps everyone else out.Lined up at the business class checkin and once again the locals dont believe in queuing-stand off to the side and beat you to the counter-when you tried to stand behind them you were told to stand behind the yellow line.They didnt count on drron ingnuity who created a barrier with his 3 checked pieces.
Next you have to pay departure tax-everyone does.$40 plus tax!Then you go around through an expensive craft market and checked that you have paid your tax before being allowed to line up for Immigration.Even though you fill a card in on arrival and a copy is in your passport you have to fill out virtually the same form on departure-the old copy is left in your passport.Then through security which seems cursory.As usual you come out into a duty free shop but most of it was empty of goods.
At UIO there appears to be only one lounge run by the airport.No OW lounge despite AA,IB and LAN operating there.Fortunately the lounge is also a Diners Club lounge-but free only for the cardholder.Fortunately mrsdrron has a supplementary card so both get in.Not a great choice in the mornings but if needed there are showers and free wifi.
Next to gate-here AA do their own security and all carryons are opened up and hand searched.After going through the gate you are once again asked to show your deparure tax receipt.Finally get to board.Seats 1a,B.On a 757 these are not great seats as limited legroom.It is a domestic configuration with the front cabin now called business.Get our omellette for breakfast served with a corn polenta type slab of roughage.
Try to settle down to sleep but with the mountains,skirting south of hurricane Gustav then west of hannah there is a lot of turbulence.
Arrive on time in MIA and not looking forward to our encounter with Immigration here-very slow on past encounters-however are through in 10 minutes.of course have to wait 20-30 minutes for our bags but 10 minutes after picking up our bags are in our alamo rental.First time that it has happened as soon as the paperwork done we are told-"just go to the full-size lane and pick any car you want".unfortunately all are dirty and dented-all recorded and off we go.
next-retail therapy for mrsdrron.

 

[drron]

After a couple of wrong turns we got onto the right road to the Sheraton suites Plantation.When we arrived I was told that my status was not in the system.Strange it has been every time before.Still put on the club floor and given the choice of platinum amenity.At checkout I ask the fellow to check my status and he says it is platinum.As an all suites hotel at a low price it is still good value.We have picked it because it is close to Sawgrass Mills-an outlet mall.If there is a keen shopper in your family keep them away or apply coolant to your CC.Actually here drron is able to pick up some new shirts and shoes.I shop at Rockport now for my shoes-always second pair 50% off or if you buy 3 pairs one is free.In addition to that as a member of AARP I get an extra 20% off.Also applies at Reebok and for Greg Norman gear.So drron gets his second pair for free.Anyone over 50 can join AARP.
As it is Labor day weekend it is very busy so we end shopping early and go to Legal Seafoods for dinner.The lobster roll and Sea scallops are great.
The next day we are off along I 75.It is called Alligator Alley.However none is likely to be seen these days.It is a rapid transit so we can get to another 2 outlets before we check in at the Hilton Marco Island.This time mrsdrron finds a lot more to like-fortunately for drron she hasnt found her "jungle jewellery".
Checkin at Hilton Marco Island and an Australian at desk.Get upgraded to 10th floor and gulf view plus breakfast as well as discounts at restaurants.Told occupancy is 15%.After our big day just go to the coffee shop.The calamari appetisers are really good but the seafood mains are ordinary.The wait staff are all from the subcontinent so drron has a long discussion on cricket-they all love Shane warne as in the IPL he played for their State..
Next Marco Island.

 

[drron]

3 days R and R now.after breakfast each day it is down to the beach.As we are walking down the beach the first day a dolphin heads south just off the beach.Millions of shells.Several large live conches-possibly stirred up by Gustav.Many brown pelicans catching fish.As drron is swimming the dolphin heads back north.A lazy day exploring the area today and for dinner go across the road top Konrads where mrsdrron has the lobster and I go for the duck-nearly the whole d*mn bird.Reasonable not great.
The next morning as drron is in swimming 3 dolphins swim lazily north.Drron does some of the tricks the sea lion taught him in the Galapagos and 1 dolphin heads in to investigate.About 10 minutes later the 3 are heading back to drron and at a distance of about 15 feet put on a show-leaping out of the water,somersaults and swimming upside down.This lasts until 2 goons on jet skis head in and off the dolphins go.A little later a manatee surfaces about 50 feet out from drron.All this was totally unexpected.
That afternoon we drive back down US41 to the Everglades for an airboat ride.Something I've wanted to do.Well there are several operators.all charge about $35-40 for an hours ride.Basically wait for a boat to fill up so we were with 8 germans.What a disappointment.Sure we saw 3 large alligators-they swim to the boat and get fed-really natural.The captain obviously likes playing with his boys toy.there is a sign saying the captain works for tips-guess it just wasnt his lucky day.If you want to see a large alligator go to anyone of the cabins where the airboats go from-there is a large alligator at every one of them-wonder why?
That night we go to Almost famous Mel's BBQ just down from the Hilton.Now i know American portions are large but these are ginormous.The baby back ribs and the Texas brisket are great.Unfortunately no wheelchair to take us back to the Hilton.
Next instalment-Orlando and back to Miami.

 

[drron]

A glorious day as we begin the commute to Orlando.No wonder the US has an oil consumption problem.Florida interstate limits are 70mph at which I set my cruise control.I am the slowest car on the road.My buick I see has been averaging 21mpg but with me at 70mph I am getting 29mpg.Obama/Mccain-it's not going to make a difference.
A stop of course at Ellenton-another factory outlet.Here though yo could do a detour to St.Petersburg and the Dali museum-it is one of the best collections of his work around.Always check out whats around whereever you go here as there are always surprises.
To Orlando and check into the 4 points.This is really cheap so I know not to expect much.Put onto the top floor.Big room but what a cigarrette smell-the place has been non-smoking since March supposedly.Also full of pommies.Naturally we are off to the outlets and malls.However we also go to the Morse museum in Winter Park-a wonderful collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.Not only glass but paintings and pottery also.A highlight is the recreation of the chapel he built for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago.A lot of the material is from the Tiffany home on Long Island.
Took the time to walk the upmarket Winter Park shopping precinct-very well done.That night however it is to Texas De Brazil.Now I am a meatatarian-it is a life style choice not for everyone.This is a meatatarians paradise.However I am surprised to find that Veggies could get along very well here to.The salad bar is one of the best I have tasted and the desserts of good quality.Once again though the belt has to be let out.The next night is a night of-a very small helping of some take-out sushi.
Our final night in Orlando we decide to walk across the road to Red Lobster.You find them nearly everywhere and can be very good value.Mrsdrron cant go past the lobster but I forget my previous discomfort and go for the all you can eat shrimp at $16.Tonight the cook has got it just right-they are cooked to perfection and I really enjoy this meal.
Get back and watch the weather forecasts.Friday had been wet and windy in orlando but they are discussing the possibility of Ike coming close to the keys and have plans for a mandatory evacuation of Southern Florida on Monday-the day we are to fly LGA-MIA.We do the drive down the Florida Turnpike on Sunday morning.In fact the only problem from Ike is that all the tolls have been suspended.We thank Ike-but later he extracts his price.That is for later.
Next we leave Florida for the Big Apple.