Miami Beach and the Everglades (Part 2)

We went to visit the Everglades Safari Park during our Miami vacation. I was forced to take a boat tour through the Everglades to see a bunch of alligators that I’m scared and disgusted by. That was my husband’s wish.

Surprisingly, the airboat ride out to the marshes was pretty exhilarating. I wish I had taken a picture of the airboat for you. The scenery was beautiful. We saw a few alligators out there. I took only one good picture of the alligators for you below. I did not do any close-ups of them.

Inside the park are nice palm tree-lined walkways where you can view alligators resting lazily in the water.

Back at the hotel along South Miami Beach are these amazing views of the sky.

KEY WEST

The 5-hour bus ride to Key West, Florida was really exhausting. We crossed that off our bucket list and never again. The return trip took about another 3.5+ hours. The tour company left us on the island for 5 hours to enjoy ourselves but after 3 hours of 95 degrees heat we were dying to get back in the bus but they won’t let us. So we loitered outside a store for about 45 minutes until it was close to the pick-up time.

Gross-looking iguanas were hanging out by our bus.  It’s very common for them to hang out in public areas in Miami and Key West. I didn’t want any pictures of them but my husband got plenty for the boys to see.  I don’t like reptiles! I had terrible memories of geckos and snakes in Vietnam where I was born.

I got reprimanded by the trolley driver for putting my arm out to take this picture. Beautiful blue skies and neighborhood nearby!

Below is the picture of the southernmost point of Key West Florida. There was a line just to take a picture there, so we skipped it.

ORCHIDS

I saw a ton of orchids I love out in Key West. It was hidden behind the famous Kermit’s Key West Key Lime store. They are a feast for my eyes!

That’s all the pictures for this trip. I have more garden pictures soon.