The Everglades

Marita3
Mark & Helen Syrett
Mon 19 Dec 2016 01:18
25:57.522N 081:30.660W

We drove up from Key West to the Everglades with a small diversion towards Miami airport——signage off the expressways is not good!!
We entered the Everglades via State highway 41 and stopped at an Everglades Safari Park.
At first we did not see an alligator but suddenly he slithered up onto the grass bank.
We decided to go on an air boat ride——a flat bottomed boat with a big fan engine at the back which powered the boat; like a hovercraft
We saw various wildlife
as the boat sped over the wetlands. 

These are a bit like the Somerset Level or the Fens would have been years ago before more intensive farming——and perhaps should be now as the vast area over which the water is spread prevents flooding


We saw a few alligators


and back at base camp there were a collection of alligators and crocodiles


We then drove on to our hotel which was not as expected! In the middle of nowhere near the north west corner of the Everglades is the 
Port of the Islands hotel. A large and imposing building showing all the signs of going bust—there was hardly anyone around and that included staff.

the reception lobby
the karaoke evening
and breakfast in the dining room——we saw no staff at breakfast !
it was self service and clearance—the coffee was undrinkable.