Aloha Everyone,
One of the "must things to do" while visiting Everglades National Park is to go on a boat ride. At the Flamingo marina, we signed up for an authorized boat tour where they would take us Back Country through the mangroves. We joined a group with 5 other passengers.
Coots Bay
Captain Jim and his mate, Roulrex gave an excellent introduction to the ecosystems.
They also made sure that all of us get to see crocodiles in the wild. We actually saw a very large female laying her eggs on the boat deck then saw very small to medium sized reptiles.
The boat ride took a total of 1 hour 45 minutes at the cost of $30 per person plus tax and gratuity. It was definitely well worth the time and the money we spent.
Gumbo Limbo is an indigenous trees of West Indies. It is unique and beautiful as its bark is red then it peels like sunburned human skin.
Gumbo Limbo trees have thick branches that grow close to the ground offering shade from the hot Florida sun.
The wood of Gumbo Limbo tree is soft and can be easily carved. However it is considered one of the strongest trees and can withstand hurricane winds.
Today we had our picnic lunch inside Honu under the shade of a Gumbo Limbo tree.
Aloha -- Cathi
