Ft. Lauderdale
The Seminole Indians were the original inhabitants of the
area now known as Fort Lauderdale. The city itself was named for Major William
Lauderdale, who led a group known as the Tennessee Volunteers into the area
during the Seminole War.
Fort Lauderdale began as an agricultural community, full of
citrus groves. By the 1960?s, the city took on a new identity as the place for
college students to come for spring break. Hedonism and public drunkenness
became the norm for much of the next twenty years, but the residents of the once
sleepy town decided to take it back from the rowdy youngsters. The police began
to make their presence known a little more, and soon Fort Lauderdale was off the
list of top Spring Break destinations.
Today, Fort Lauderdale is a little closer to its roots, with
a gentle breezy demeanor to it. You can still have a good time here, exploring
the 300 miles of waterways that led to the labeling of Fort Lauderdale as
"the Venice of America." There are places to rent boats, and plenty of
opportunities to take a boat tour around the city. Or, get really acquainted
with the water by snorkeling or diving in the Atlantic.
There is still plenty to do in and around Fort Lauderdale.
Take a water taxi to some of the area's best restaurants and bars. Stroll
along busy Las Olas and visit the eclectic shops and art galleries.
The sports enthusiast will get his fill here. Tennis courts
and golf courses are everywhere in Fort Lauderdale. It's just a matter of
deciding which one to play on. Choose from baseball, football, or jai alai. You
can even place a bet at the greyhound racetrack.
The nature lover can check out over 500,000 acres of Florida
Everglades, which are part of the Greater Ft. Lauderdale area. The Everglades,
which were formed by the constant overflow of nearby Lake Okeechobee, are home
to flamingos and alligators, among others.
Of course, if you're visiting Florida, chances are that you
will want to hit the beach, and there is ample space for everybody along Ft.
Lauderdale's beautiful coastline. There are over 3,000 hours of sunshine here
every year, so enjoy!
San Blas Island
The Comarca de San Blas is made up of 357 small islands, off of Panama's eastern coast. The entire region is under the autonomous rule of the Kuna Indians. The Kuna gained control of the region after the 1925 Kuna Revolution.
San Blas main industry is coconuts. Coconuts are practically interchangeable as currency here, with each coconut carrying a value of about ten cents. Amazingly, the Kuna harvest about thirty million coconuts every year! Most are exported to Colombia in exchange for clothing, rice, and other necessities.
Because the Kuna control Comarca de San Blas, tourists are reminded to respect local laws and customs. For example, every visitor to each island on San Blas is expected to pay a visitor's fee, usually around five dollars. The Kuna do not like to be photographed, and they expect to be compensated for each time that they allow you to snap a picture. In exchange for these small costs, the Kuna will allow you to experience a culture unchanged for thousands of years, and to partake in some of the world's last remaining truly pristine sights. Kuna women weave and sell intricate blouses, known as molas. The men hunt and fish, but only enough to provide for their families. And as for you? You will be content to relax the day away, taking in a perfect sunset while lying in a hammock on the beach.
Although San Blas is made up of over three hundred islands, only about forty are inhabited. The rest are left to coconut trees and wildlife. El Porvenir is the capital city of San Blas, as well as the gateway to the rest of the inhabited islands.
It's common to think that every white sand beach in the world has already been discovered, and that huge hotels have sprung up to exploit nature's beauty. However, there are some places left that have resisted the lure of commercialism, and where you can still enjoy the sights as they were intended to be enjoyed. This paradise can be found in San Blas.
Manta
Once you dock at the Port of Manta and enter the harbor, you'll realize that you are in for an enjoyable stay. The area around the harbor is bustling and full of activity, but as you travel inland, the city mellows into a relaxing place full of great restaurants and small communities. This contrast adds to the personality of the city, and incredibly enough, the port of Manta is the busiest fishing port on earth. Because of the inordinate amount of import and export, the variety of cultures within the city is remarkable. The Museo del Banco Central is a fantastic museum that displays countless artifacts that have all been found in the region. Photographs show the progression of the port through the decades, and by looking around you can tell that great time and care went into building the museum's astonishing edifice.
Manta's beaches are spacious as well as beautiful, and are home to a wide array of wildlife. Frigate birds and pelicans occupy some of the area, but keep to themselves enough that they will never spoil your afternoon. Instead, they will provide entertainment as they hunt for their prey come dusk. Soaring and then diving to catch fish, they shoot through the air at incredible speeds. The surf in Manta is usually pristine, and often the beaches of Murcielago will have waves roll through that would impress even the most traveled surfer. There are a few truly great restaurants in Manta, and the nightlife is fantastic.
Lima
Lima is an extraordinary city nestled on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It's an old city with an esteemed history. Ranging from fast paced activities to relaxing sightseeing, Lima has it all. In 1535, Francisco Pizarro founded Lima, and in its early days the city surrounded the Rimac River. For the next three hundred years the city was the capital of the entire Spanish South American Empire. Over the years, the city has mushroomed, and now Lima is home to around seven million people.
The hustle and bustle of Lima is found in the downtown sector. The area surrounding the Plaza Mayor is the most popular and busy region. This is where you will encounter the most aesthetically pleasing architecture, artwork, and museums. Other portions of the city are more entertaining and exciting, but this is the district that houses the educational and historical sights of Lima. They exist elsewhere within the city, but not in nearly as much of a concentrated fashion as they do here by the Plaza Mayor. Miraflores and San Isidro are the two nicest neighborhoods in Lima, as they are located by the sea and quite affluent. The restaurants and shopping in these areas are probably the best in Lima. The nicest parks are definitely close to the ocean, and a few in particular are absolutely gorgeous. In between the beautiful towns by the sea are small working-class areas of Lima such as Rimac, Brena, and La Victoria. Lima is a city best enjoyed by walking, and during the day it is safe to travel anywhere within the city. Peruvians love the outdoors, and on weekends you will see what seems like the whole country gathered in the Plaza to enjoy the warmth.
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