Gloria's Travel Blog

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Those of us who live in South Florida, should be aware that only one hour away,  our environment changes and we can enjoy a mini vacation at  THE FLORIDA KEYS.

The Keys are 42 islands, almost all,  linked by bridges , places are indicated in Miles Markers (MM)  starting in Key Largo  MM 106) to Key West  MM 1. Key West was relatively isolated until Henry M. Flagler took the train there in 1912, but the hurricane of 1935 destroyed most of the tracks, and killed hundreds of residents, many of them veterans of WWI, who works there. The government repaired the rails and made a way for automobiles to be completed by 1938, which to date is the US-I.  There is also a monument to those killed in the hurricane in the MM 82, in Islamorada.

1935 Hurricane victim’s monument

KEY LARGO  is known as the Capital of Spearfishing.  It is the first key from Miami, this whole area has no sandy beaches, but instead, many reefs with marine life and just a short distance from the coast, you can dive or go snorkeling, we instead went to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the MM102 .5, the entry was $ 9.00 and in there you have it all.  It is prepared for those who want to go snorkeling, and they will rent you all the equipment, also you can  rent canoes or paddle boats, we prefer to take the glass bottom boat for 2.5  hours at $ 25.00 per person, but if you are a  AAA or Aarp member, they will give you a small discount.  Ask for it, since it is not advertised anywhere.

Glassbottom Boat

Photo from the glassbottom boat

From the Holiday Inn Marina at 99701 Overseas Hwy, a casino cruise leaves,  more information at (305) 451-2121. Key Largo.

You can “SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS”  at Theater of the Sea, 31 Corrine Pl, Key Largo Fla 33,037  Tel: (866) 860-7946.  It is located  in a channel joint to the Atlantic Ocean, and it has dolphins and seals.  If you like, you can take different one day classes, but I found it a bit pricey at  $ 560.00 per student.  But indisputably it is a great experience.

ISLAMORADA.

The five islands of Islamorada offers beautiful sunny days, the beach at Siesta Beach, or shopping days in the various souvenir shops, grocery shopping at Winn Dixie, and  God forbid, a good hospital if you need one.  You can rent a house, apartment or a nice hotel like the Hampton Inn that has a small beach, good pool, and the Outback Restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner at reasonable prices.

The ISLAMORADA  islands are: Tea Table Key, Lower Matacumbe Key, Upper Matacumbe Key, Wendley Key and the last  to be  incorporated Plantation Key.  They all as well as the rest of the keys are part of  Monroe County.

As in all keys, enjoy the beach, rent jet ski, go fishing one day, and at night there is always fun, you can enjoy a good meal at any of the many good restaurants, and in some of them you can enjoy the music too.  There is something for everyone…………

MARATHON.

As in all the keys, there is everything, but for me it has something special called, “Sombrero  Beach”.  I attached some pictures to give you a better  idea of how it looks, and as of Sep. 2009 it is FREE.  Another thing it has plenty of free parking too.

Don’t miss my other article of Key West, I hope that you have a better idea of the Florida Keys and don’t hesitate to explore around in any of the keys, you’ll find very nice houses and excellent restaurants, especially seafood and fresh fish.  The key contrary to big cities are friendly and safe.  HAVE A GREAT TIME THERE.

Photos by: Gloria and Vily

More Photos of the keys at: http://gloria305vacaciones.com/key-largo-islamorada-marathon-florida/

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Key West is prepared for the tourist, has an international airport, hotels of all prices, and some old houses that are remodeled bed and breakfast.

It also has an interesting history.  The Spanish used this key as a step port between Cuba and Spain, so several galleons were attacked by pirates and some other were sunken in the Straits of Florida by bad weather to the extent  that today you can visit the “TREASURE OF THE GALLEON ATOCHA ‘, or go to the KEY WEST MUSEUM – ART & HISTORY.

KEY WEST MUSEUM – ART & HISTORY

In the past, several presidents has visit Key West.  Harry Truman had his “White House” for winter there, and Roosevelt built a military base in 1939. Also visited by John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter.  Not only visited by US presidents, also VIPs such as Tennessee Williams  “A Streetcar Named Desire ” and Ernest Hemingway who built his house in 907  Whitehead St. and is now a museum enjoyed Key West.   It is said  that cats at Hemingway museum are descendants of those he had there originaly.  Hemingway lived there between 1931 and 1939, he built a $ 20,000 pool there around 1930 and buried a penny in cement since he said that building the pool took him ”up to the last penny” he owned.

The San Carlos Institute was founded in 1871 by Cuban exiles as a civil center, educational and patriotic heart, it is now a museum, library and school, but it was considered the cradle of the independence movement in Cuba.  Jose Marti  united the exile community  in 1892 for the final phase of the campaign for the Independence of Cuba.  Marti  loved San Carlos so much, he called it  “La Casa Cuba” (Cuba’s House).

SAN CARLOS INSTITUTE

Duval Street, is one of the most famous places of Key West, there are hotels, restaurants. Cafe, and  the Sloppy Joe’s Bar, which was made  famous by Hemingway.

Entering Key West on US-1 turn left, continue about 2 miles and on your left you’ll find a series of beaches, where you can rent a jetski and continuing in this area you’ll find the southernmost point of the United States, which is 90 miles from Cuba.

 Mallory Square is another very famous place to visit, it is close to the port, where the evening is filled with tourists, watching the jugglers, dancers, or whoever is performing that day.  There  is a very very famous sunset, at this point.

If you go by automobile, the parking is not cheap, some have devices that you pay by hour (Automated Parking), and they accept cash and credit cards.  There are also other parking announcing $ 10.00 and $20 parking per day, and if you don’t mind walking some distance, there are parking meters which charge $ 0.25 per each 10 minutes.   Also mopeds and mini cars can be rented.

There are many restaurants of all types, certainly the most famous food there are fresh fish, shrimp, lobster, the  ”conch fritters”,  and the “Key Lime” pie for dessert, but if you prefer sushi you have the Ambrosia restaurant, La Trattoria forItalian food. If you want to have a few drinks while enjoying the sunset, go to Turtle Kraals and then enjoy the delicious food there.

The official website of Key West is: www.fla-keys.com,  I hope  you  have a wonderful holiday.

ENJOY.

Photos by:  Gloria and Vily

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