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.
Guayaquil
In the 16th century, the Spanish conquered the indigenous people of the beautiful coastal city of Guayaquil. The legend of this exciting town has is that, before being defeated, the prince and princess of this close-knit community committed suicide to avoid being forced into slavery. He was called Guayas, and the girl's name was Quil, and Guayaquil gets its name from this immortal pairing. More than two million people live in the city, making it the most populous city in Ecuador. It is the economic and social capital of the country, and the port has been busy ever since Francisco de Orellana arrived here in 1537.
Industry and commerce rule the coastal portion of Guayaquil, and the interior is quieter, yet the energy of this bustling town remains very contagious. The more of Guayaquil that you explore, the longer you will want to stay. The area is incredibly diverse, and home to some of the best museums in Ecuador. Museo Municipal features wonderful paintings and sculptures. The Ecuador Antiguo Museo Arqueologico contains fascinating relics, some that date all the way back to 3000 BC. The Metropolitan Cathedral is an exquisite site with incredible stained glass windows, and La Merced is another magnificent religious monument.
The dining engagements in Guayaquil are fabulous, and there is a wide variety of restaurants for you to choose from. There are numerous great shopping facilities, and the nightlife here is blazingly active.
San Andres Island
San Andres Island is the biggest of a collection of islands in the Caribbean Sea. While Christopher Columbus was the first European to actually discover the islands, English Pilgrims settled them in the early 17th Century. Their ship, the Seaflower, landed at approximately the same time as the Mayflower found its way to Plymouth Rock. Over the next two hundred years, the archipelago was a constant source of conflict, as the European powers fought over which country ruled the islands. In the meantime, the infamous pirate, Henry Morgan, used San Andres Island as his base for attacks all over the Caribbean. In 1793, the dispute was finally settled, as England recognized Spain's sovereignty over the islands in the Versailles Treaty.
Although San Andres Island is only eighty miles from Nicaragua, the archipelago is a property of Colombia, which is almost five hundred miles away. The island's economy used to center around cotton until slavery was abolished in the mid-19th Century. Coconuts became the main source of income for the locals, until a plague destroyed the entire coconut crop in 1930. Now, San Andres Island uses its status as a duty-free port to attract tourism and industry.
San Andres Island is only eight miles long, and never rises above two hundred feet in elevation. The Caribbean Sea that surrounds San Andres is particularly resplendent, with seven shades of blue water easily visible around the island. About 60,000 people call San Andres home today. They are blessed with year-round temperate weather, warm water, beautiful sunsets, and a laid-back lifestyle.
Key West
Key West's reputation has certainly undergone a makeover over the years. When Ernest Hemingway called the island home from 1931-1961, Key
West was a quiet, laid back port town with its own character and a unique charisma. To visit Key West now is to find an island that has been almost
completely commercialized, with small pockets of the old Key West disappearing
fast.
Not that this is a terrible thing. The confluence of people
into Key West makes for a more diverse atmosphere and a fun-loving destination
365 days a year. Key West still embodies a true "laid back" spirit and
a quirky self-deprecating humor; even the cemetery is a source of offbeat
amusement. Think about it, how many places have you visited that actually
celebrate the sunset?
Key West has been an inspiration to countless authors and
artists. Among those who have called the island home, besides Hemingway, are
John James Audubon, Tennessee Williams, and John Hershey.
While over 1.2 million people visit Key West annually, only
30,000 people call it home on a permanent basis. But those 30,000 are fiercely
loyal. Nicknamed "The Conch Republic," Key West even has its own flag!
Most permanent residents have called Key West home for generations, and many
would confess that they have never left the island. Can you blame them?
Festivals and celebrations dot the calendar year-round in Key
West. From Hemingway Day in July to Fantasy Fest in October, your visit has a
good chance of coinciding with a local event.
Of course, over time, the secret of Key West has gotten out.
The amount of hotel rooms has tripled, and the delicate balance of natural
beauty has been threatened. The only living coral- reef in North America is
found here, and steps have been taken to ensure its continued survival.
What will never change is the beautiful weather and
breathtaking scenery you will find in Key West. The island is only twelve square
miles, easily covered on foot or bicycle. With all its commercialization, Key
West has managed to maintain a unique flavor all its own.
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