A ‘Quick Flit’ Through Florida

Port Canaveral

We will remember Port Canaveral as the ‘lucky’ port – at least, it certainly was for us!  We took a boat trip through the mangroves along Cocoa Beach hoping to see some wildlife.  Our very knowledgeable guide pointed out several different types of cormorants, herons and ospreys along with the multi-million-dollar houses along the opposite shore.  A manatee came close enough to the surface for a photo!  But the highlight (for the boat’s captain and guide as well as us!) was coming upon a ‘feeding frenzy’.  A shoal of fish must have gathered in one particular area . . . . .pelicans from all sides descended, and began ‘dive-bombing’ the fish!  Several pods of dolphins got in on the act, nipping round in circles, surfacing for just long enough to draw air and then giving us a real show of acrobatics as they dove in all directions for the fish.  Sorry! No photos of all this – it was one of those moments to savour, without trying to snap a photo at the same time!

But our luck was doubled on our return to the ship.  A rocket launch, delayed from the previous day, was due to take place shortly.  You can imagine the excitement as people gathered on every possible outside space of the ship.  Borealis was conveniently moored facing towards the Kennedy Space Centre.  With fingers firmly crossed, we held our breath and were rewarded with the flash and up it soared.  Space X Falcon 9 has four Europeans on board, on their way to the International Space Station.  Five minutes later the booster returned, and we glimpsed the blaze of flame as it landed just out of our sight.  And then the Sonic Boom!  Luckily, we had been warned to expect it, as it shook the ship!!  Incredible experience. 

Fort Lauderdale

We were sharing the port with three other enormous cruise ships, so any ideas of a ‘quick shifty’ into town to the local mall were put on the back burner!  However, we enjoyed a journey out to the Everglades where we were treated to an airboat ride. Powered by enormous motors which propel two big fans, there are no operating parts below the waterline.  An exhilarating 35 mph ride took us to different areas where we then quietly looked for wildlife.  Amazingly the wildlife seems to be quite used to the noise!

This preserved wetland stretches for 1.5 million acres across the southern tip of Florida.  Very slow-moving fresh water makes its way through estuaries to the salt water of the ocean.  Crocodiles live in the salt water near the coast whilst alligators prefer the fresh water.  Sadly, it was a cool day with no sun (again!) – alligators like to bask in the sunshine, but otherwise tend to keep themselves warm underwater.  However, one graced us with his presence by showing just his eyes above the water – apologies for the bad photo, but at least I proved we saw one! 

We also spotted plenty of bird life – vultures, osprey, cormorants, and the little purple gallinule.  The yellow flowered Spatterdock serves as a floating perch for the gallinule, but also makes good cover for an alligator’s head – hence the locals call it Gator Bonnet! 

Key West

Sunny blue skies greeted us in Key West – hurray! One of the many islands that make up the archipelago (known as the Florida Keys) on the southern tip of Florida, Key West is a winter haunt for many North Americans who flock down from the cold northern states for a bit of sunshine and warmth.  Known as Snowbirds, they double or triple the local population and boost Florida’s economy substantially.  Borealis was able to moor within five minutes’ walk of the centre.  We were greeted with a plethora of restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, beach shops, clothes shops, museums, and churches.  The streets were awash with tourist trains, open sided tour buses, golf carts, and bicycles all tussling for a space amongst the enormous American pick up trucks.  Live music lambasted us from popular local cafes, whilst commentary from tour buses slated us from the streets. 

Quieter side streets were just as full of people happily sauntering along enjoying the atmosphere.  Houses here are mostly timber framed, but all with regulation tin roofs, as there is such a huge fire risk.  Palm trees and lots of greenery protect the houses from the fierce summer sunshine. 

 

On two occasions we were asked where the ship had come from. . .”Geez! You’ve come all the way from England? No kiddin’!  How long did that take you? Wow!”  Just to rub it in, we mentioned that we were continuing Around the World . . .”No Way!! All the way around?  Where are you visiting?  How long is it taking?  Geez, you guys are lucky! Oh Wow!”

Just about sums it up really – but I must admit, we’d had enough after a few hours.  Oh, to be 30 years younger!

And so, we sail on . . .two days at sea now until we reach the Panama Canal.