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FLORIDA NEWS POST

Politics | Business | Technology | Travel


FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST: A SHORELINE ITINERARY

There is no shortage of ways to get out and play in Destin, Fort Walton Beach,
and Okaloosa Island, collectively known as the Heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast.
The area’s 24 miles of shoreline include powder-white beaches, emerald green
water, and a portion of the pristine Gulf Islands National Seashore, plus
protected bays and bayous, five beachfront parks, and 12 beach access ways.

Beyond the sand and surf, this section of the Emerald Coast is home to eight
championship golf courses and country clubs, as well as outdoor retail and
entertainment centers like Destin’s HarborWalk Village. Family-friendly
attractions include Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park, Gulfarium Marine
Adventure Park, and Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park, a nonprofit
sanctuary housing native wildlife and abandoned and abused exotic animals.

GETTING THERE: Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, and Destin are situated near
the center of the northwest Florida coast, an area stretching from Pensacola
east about 140 miles (225 kilometers) to Port St. Joe. The closest airport
is Destin-Fort Walton Beach, located 16 miles northwest of Destin. From the
airport, rent a car or take a taxi or private shuttle (call for reservations) to
Destin, Fort Walton Beach, or Okaloosa Island.

STAY: With more than 13,000 lodging options—including Gulf-view condos,
high-rise hotels, private vacation homes, bed-and-breakfasts, and
campgrounds—there are accommodations available to fit any budget.
Family-friendly resorts such as Seascape typically include beach access,
multiple pools, kids’ programs, and full kitchens. For a quieter, adults-only
property, choose the Henderson Park Inn in Destin. The luxurious 35-suite
bed-and-breakfast is styled after a classic Victorian New England seaside inn
with a spacious porch overlooking the Gulf. In addition to daily gourmet
breakfasts and boxed picnic lunches, guest amenities include free use of bikes,
beach chairs, and beach umbrellas. Beginning in September 2016, families can
enjoy a similar level of pampering at The Henderson, a hotel with 170 rooms and
suites opening across the street from the inn. Both properties are near
208-acre Henderson Beach State Park, home to one of the Emerald Coast’s top
campgrounds. Reserve a site several months in advance of your visit. Insider
tip: It’s easier to find a campsite on short notice at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou
State Park campground, located on the north shore of Choctawhatchee Bay in
Niceville.

EAT: Try grilled yellowfin tuna, steamed shrimp, fried oysters, hot crabmeat
dip, and other Gulf-to-table dishes at either Dewey Destin’s location—the
Harborside Restaurant on Destin Harbor or the Seafood & Restaurant overlooking
Crab Island. Owner Dewey Destin’s family has been selling fresh seafood since
the early 1800s (great-great-grandfather Leonard founded Destin, then called
East Pass, in 1835). If you fish, bring your fresh flounder, grouper, red
snapper, wahoo, or other daily catch to Dewey Destin’s and they’ll cook it for
you. (Price varies depending on the fish, preparation, and side dishes.)

HIT THE BEACH: Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Okaloosa Island regularly rank
among the best on national and regional media lists of family vacation and beach
destinations. Okaloosa Day Use Area east of Fort Walton Beach is part of
the Gulf Islands National Seashore, named “Best East Coast Beach” in the USA
Today 10Best 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Okaloosa location offers an
unspoiled beach, calm waters (ideal for family swimming), picnic tables,
restrooms, and a boat launch. Other public-access beaches are located
at Henderson Beach State Park, James Lee Park, John Beasley Park, and Newman C.
Brackin Wayside Park. Many vacation properties also have private beaches or
beach access.

PLAY: Get out on the water to sail, paddle, go on a Buccaneer pirate cruise, or
zip around an airboat. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at Fred Gannon
Rocky Bayou State Park, home to an aquatic preserve where you might spot
dolphins, otters, and waterfowl. Several outfitters such
as Cattywampus catamaran ecotours and Destin Snorkel offer dolphin-viewing
cruises and snorkeling excursions. Destin also has the nation’s largest for-hire
fishing fleet, according to the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Charter a boat with Gulf Angler or another local captain to try deep-sea or bay
fishing. Before your trip, purchase a Florida fishing license online.

DISCOVER: See military aircraft from the World War II era to the present at the
Eglin Air Force Base’s free Air Force Armament Museum (closed Sunday). Learn
about local culture and history at the Heritage Museum of Northwest
Florida (closed Sunday and Monday) and at the free Baker Block Museum (closed
Saturday to Monday, except the third Saturday of each month). See a 1925 fishing
boat, a collection of antique rods and reels, and vintage photographs of boat
captains and their boats at the Destin History & Fishing Museum (closed Sunday
and Monday). Visit the Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse
Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum, Fort Walton Temple Mound, and the Civil War
Exhibit Building at the Heritage Park & Cultural Center (closed Sunday) in Fort
Walton Beach.

FUN FACT: A 3.8-acre mural of a United States flag is painted on the roof of
the Legendary Marine boat storage facility in Destin. The rooftop original
(thought to be the world’s largest flag mural) is the work of marine life
artist Wyland, whose Wyland Wall #88 (“Marine Life of the Gulf”) mural can be
seen on the facility’s exterior walls. Seeing the flag requires taking a scenic
flight.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/florida/florida-emerald-coast-shoreline-itinerary/

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


A YOGI’S PERFECT DAY IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA

Over the bridge from the island of Palm Beach is the city of West Palm
Beach, Florida. Known for its diverse, eclectic locals and its bohemian
atmosphere, artists venture here to feel inspired, and Palm Beach islanders go
to loosen their buttoned-up collars. West Palm Beach offers more than simply a
hopping nightlife, shopping, and entertainment, however. Thanks to an abundance
of health-food stores and yoga studios springing up, this beach town has become
a wellness hub.


MORNING

Before your (first) morning yoga class, switch your mat for a beach blanket and
head to the soft sand of Palm Beach Island. Make your way to the Worth Avenue
Clock Tower just before sunrise, and as the new day breaks on the horizon, close
your eyes, connect to your breath, and set your intentions for the day ahead.
You’ll be inspired by the invigorating smell of salt water and the mellow
rolling tide.

After meditating, you’ll be ready to salute the sun on your yoga mat. The heated
studio of The Yoga Society on Clematis Street, is a favorite local hot spot in
every sense of the phrase. It is a fun, powerful, positive space where yoga
practitioners can sweat to energetic hatha vinyasa flows.

If it’s a Saturday, most locals will be fighting over parking spots at the WPB
Green Market, located in the heart of downtown on Clematis Street. Vendors sell
organic fruits and vegetables, bagels, colorful orchids, quiches, and more. This
season, the market’s 90-plus vendors have made a sustainability pledge to oust
plastic straws, styrofoam containers, and coffee stirrers. Bring a reusable
shopping bag, and devour a cider doughnut while you explore.



On Clematis Street, you’ll also find a striking rainbow mural—created by
well-known muralist Eduardo Kobra—featuring none other than Albert Einstein. The
perfect backdrop for a brilliant selfie, this artsy wall will make you wonder if
you’re in the streets of Sao Paulo rather than West Palm Beach. Under Einstein’s
watchful gaze, you’ll find a lovely local coffee shop and roaster, Subculture
Coffee. Order a yogi’s favorite: avocado toast and a double dirty chai latte
with soy milk.


AFTERNOON

West Palm Beach affords plenty of unique shopping options. The Warehouse
District is an excellent place to begin browsing. At Elizabeth Ave. Station,
discover a plethora of local wares: vinyls, soaps, handmade cards, community
clothing vendors, and funky jewelry. When you get hungry, duck inside Grandview
Public Market, an eclectic indoor marketplace filled with local food vendors.
Since I’m usually going to another yoga class in the late afternoon, I choose
something light from the new “Grandview Green Collection,” a compilation of all
the vegan and vegetarian options from the market’s vendors. Other top choices
include The Poke Lab Eatery and Zipitios, a taco eatery that serves up delicious
vegan tacos as well as the meatiest burritos for your carnivorous friends. Be
sure to pick up a Thai rolled ice cream from Crema Rolls—watching the treat be
prepared is almost as much fun as eating it.

In the creative arts district of Northwood Village, filled with art galleries
and funky craft stores, a local store called Wanderer Bracelets sells darling
jewelry, hand-crafted by artisans in Bali. I recommend designing your own
coordinates bracelet. Pick out your preferred color, type in the name of your
newly discovered favorite spot in West Palm Beach, and voila! A store clerk will
etch the coordinates onto a bracelet for you.

If you find yourself back on Palm Beach Island in the afternoon, pop on over to
the Royal Poinciana Plaza where the flagship Lululemon store has just opened and
where you can attend non-heated Yoga Society Palm Beach classes. As long as
you’re already on the island, head toward the bright, well-curated Palm Beach
Yoga Shala for an early afternoon vinyasa class to wind down the day.


EVENING

For dinner, I recommend a restaurant that’s as green as it is delicious: Avocado
Grill. This farm-to-table, tapas-style restaurant is the perfect place to eat
after a day of wellness. You’ll definitely want to order ginger guacamole for
the table along with the avocado wedges. Had enough avocado? Order the stuffed
zucchini blossoms. You can ask your server for the secret vegan menu, created by
local vegan DJ Adam Lipson and executive chef Julien Gremaud. Add the large
curried veggie bowl to your order and get a—you guessed it—avocado-inspired
dessert.

Before hitting the town, relax at The Blind Monk on Evernia Street with a glass
of wine from their sizeable wine list and a delectable cheese plate, complete
with honeycomb and fig. Say salut to the night ahead!

On the corner of Clematis St. and North Rosemary Ave, O’Shea’s Irish
Pub promises an evening of fun as one of the local hot spots. Order a Guinness,
and dance the night away to the tunes of the live band. Feel free to keep bar
hopping, but keep an eye on the clock—there’s a Sunday morning yoga class at The
Yoga Society you won’t want to sleep through!

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/florida/west-palm-beach/yoga-vegan-things-to-do/

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories
Travel


HOW TO EXPERIENCE A ROCKET LAUNCH ON FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST

The NASA Space Shuttle may no longer be flying, but thanks to private
investment, Florida’s Space Coast is busier than ever with regular rocket
launches. Want to see one for yourself? These tips ensure you’ll be able to get
the most out of your launch viewing experience.

Experiencing a rocket launch on the Space Coast is so much more than it appears
on TV. The nervous energy as the countdown clock ticks down; that moment of
hesitation when smoke begins billowing out the bottom of the rocket; the burst
of flame the color of the brightest molten lava that begins to propel the rocket
upward; and finally, feeling the roar in your chest as it achieves lift-off.
It’s not just about the launch, though – it’s the entire experience. Meeting
first-time viewers and exchanging stories and trivia with fellow space
enthusiasts is all part of the fun.


WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE SPACE COAST TODAY?

In 2011, NASA’s space shuttle flew for the last time, but the Space Coast didn’t
remain quiet for too long. Over the last few years, companies like SpaceX, the
United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin have Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space
Center bustling with activity once again. In February 2018, SpaceX made
headlines when it launched the Falcon Heavy rocket; hundreds of thousands of
people gathered to witness this historic event, and it was the second biggest
live event in the history of YouTube. The Falcon Heavy is now the most powerful
operational rocket in the world, second only to the giant rockets that sent our
astronauts to the Moon during the Apollo program.


WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN CHOOSING YOUR ROCKET LAUNCH

If you’d like to see a rocket launch for yourself, flexibility is the name of
the game. While rocket launches are spectacular to view, they are missions, not
tourist events. This means that their schedules are variable; launches are often
delayed and rescheduled at the last minute because of technical problems or
weather. Dates are seldom set more than a few weeks in advance (unless it’s a
really big launch), which means that making plans to see them can be
difficult. Spaceflight Now has an excellent list of upcoming launches from
around the world, with a brief description of each – filter by location to see
the Space Coast launches.

Since the retirement of the space shuttle, the US has not had the ability to
carry its own astronauts to and from the International Space Stations (the
Russians handle that for us). This means that the recent launches out of Kennedy
Space Center and Cape Canaveral have been uncrewed: there are no astronauts
aboard. However, this will not always be the case, as both SpaceX, Blue Origin
and Boeing aim to launch demonstration flights carrying astronauts in 2019.

If you have a choice between a crewed and uncrewed launch and scheduling is a
concern, always opt in favor of a launch without astronauts. There are fewer
factors to consider in terms of launch conditions, and that makes it more likely
that the rocket will launch on time (but again, it’s good to prepare for delays
regardless of the type of launch). Additionally, avoid demo launches, like the
recent Falcon Heavy. While that rocket did take off on its first scheduled date,
it’s much more likely things will go wrong during a test launch.


PUBLIC (AND FREE) VIEWING LOCATIONS FOR A ROCKET LAUNCH

Launches are public, so you don’t necessarily have to spend any money to make it
happen beyond your travel and lodging. However, there are some factors to
consider when choosing your free viewing location. There are multiple launch
pads dotting the Space Coast, so the optimal spots are never the same – they
depend on where the launch pad is located (you can find launch pad assignments
on Spaceflight Now’s calendar). And you’re subject to the hours of your chosen
viewing location: many public beaches in the area close at sunset. The Space
Coast tourism board maintains a page of launch-viewing sites with information on
the amenities and opening times of each location.

If you’re viewing a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Launch Complex 40, Playalinda
Beach in Titusville is your best bet, while Space View Park in Titusville is a
great choice for launches like the recent Falcon Heavy from Pad 39A. Cocoa Beach
Pier in Cocoa Beach is a good choice for most launches. Remember, there’s a lot
of traffic on launch day – more than 100,000 people viewed the Falcon Heavy
launch from Cocoa Beach, for example – and parking can be difficult. Make sure
you get to your chosen viewing area very early.


THE NO-BRAINER: PACKAGES FROM KENNEDY SPACE CENTER VISITOR COMPLEX

If all of this sounds complicated, there’s a way you can make it much, much
easier: the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) sells inclusive packagesto take the
planning out of a launch visit. Though the cost per person isn’t cheap, KSC can
get you closer to the launches than any other option. (Plus, the breadth of
experiences and activities there are a pretty great backup if your launch is
cancelled last minute.)

‘Our proximity to the action, and relationships with NASA and private companies,
allows us to create unique experiences for our guests on launch days,’ said
Therrin Protze, the chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitors
Complex. ‘This includes things like guest appearances, expert commentary,
engaging activities, access to our exhibits, special tours and more.’

There are three tiers of packages offered at KSC. Your $57 ticket for entrance
into the complex ($47 for ages 3 to 11) includes the ability to watch rocket
launches in front of the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, which is about 7 miles
from launch pads (the distance varies, of course, depending on which pad the
rocket is launching from). There are bleachers set up, and KSC provides live
commentary about what’s happening.

If you’d like to get a little closer, the Apollo/Saturn V Center is about six
and a half miles from the launch pads. Typically a bus ride to this portion of
the KSC is free with the purchase of your day ticket, but on the day of
launches, these tours are often suspended due to security and a bus ride costs
an additional $25. Launch commentary and bleacher seating is provided.

For a truly front-row seat, the Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry is the way
to go. This location is so close – just three miles from Launch Pad 39A – that
it’s actually closed for some launches for safety reasons. You’ll pay $49 in
addition to your admission ticket, and you get similar live commentary and
seating as well as some refreshments and a t-shirt included with the cost of
your purchase.


KSC LAUNCH-VIEWING PRO TIPS

There are a few things to keep in mind about these packages. First, as
previously mentioned, launches are unpredictable. Launch viewing tickets with
KSC are primarily for transportation, not the actual launch. If a launch is
postponed or canceled before you’re on the bus to the site, then KSC Visitors
Complex will provide a refund. If you’re on the bus, or already at the viewing
site, you’re out of luck. You’ll have to buy tickets again for the next launch
attempt.

These tickets sell out very quickly, so snag them as soon as your plans are in
place. Often, KSC Visitors Complex will begin selling launch viewing tickets
before the exact date of a launch is announced. Space fans are enthusiastic,
after all! For special launches that generate significant interest, such as the
Falcon Heavy (and the upcoming first crewed missions), the details of the
packages, including pricing and viewing locations, are likely to vary. Once
again, you’ll need to both be as flexible as possible and plan ahead.

Yes, planning for a launch can be tricky, but once you are there and the energy
begins to build as the clock counts down, you’ll know that it was worth it.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/florida/space-coast/travel-tips-and-articles/3-2-1-how-to-experience-a-rocket-launch-on-floridas-space-coast/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d276a1be

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


FLORIDA’S FRESHWATER ACTIVITIES

Florida’s tourism identity is intimately tied to water, and for most visitors,
that water either means the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. Fair enough –
Florida is a peninsula, after all, and if anything defines the state’s
geography, it’s the fact that the state is surrounded by water on three sides.
But flat Florida is also cut through with green rivers and dotted with crystal
blue springs. The interior, freshwater waterways of the Sunshine State have the
potential for as much adventure as her exterior oceans.


DOWN UPON THE SUWANNEE RIVER

The Suwannee River is primarily known to most folks as the subject of ‘Old Folks
At Home’, the Florida state song, now sung in a revised version that eschews the
plantation minstrelsy in the original version. But what you should know the
Suwannee for is its excellent paddling opportunities. This is a true Southern
blackwater river; the dark color derives from the tannins dissolving off of the
vegetation that forms a corridor around the waterway. A great point of access
is, unsurprisingly, Suwannee River State Park.

And man, what vegetation. Cypress trees, live oaks, and groves of pine web
across limestone outcroppings. Vines trail in the water and birds flap overhead.
If you’re curious to learn about the folkways of the people who live near the
river, which runs through Northwest Florida, make sure to stop by the Stephen
Foster State Folk Cultural Center. You’ll learn plenty about the Big Bend region
– the area where the Florida Panhandle begins to curve into the state’s
north-south peninsula.

 


BEAUTIFUL BLUE SPRING STATE PARK

Blue Spring is popular with humans, sure, but it’s also notably a big draw for
Florida manatees, who flock to these consistently 72-degree waters come winter.
When the manatees depart around March, you can go swimming at Blue Spring State
Park again.

In a state with no shortage of excellent places to stick your head in the water,
Blue Spring is a clutch swimming hole. The water has a consistent temperature,
and if you’re into casual water recreation like tubing, there are plenty of
concessionaires around to help you get started. Said concessionaires can also
hook you up with a canoe, kayak or boat tour. A paddle into the St John’s River
watershed, which Blue Spring is part of, is not to be missed.

 


WILDLIFE WATCHING AT SILVER SPRINGS

Head into the water from a launch at Silver Springs State Park, in Marion County
in North Central Florida, and the experience might not feel vastly removed from
other Florida inland waterways. Jungle-like vegetation hems in on either side,
as your boat paddles over remarkably clear waters. Most noticeable: a
proliferation of wildlife anywhere in Florida (certainly a rarity at any state
park). Among the animals you may spot are eagles, herons, foxes, alligators, and
otters. There are even a few rhesus monkeys living in the park. All this, and
you’re only a quick drive from college-town Gainesville.


THE EVERGLADES

The ‘Glades, also known as ‘the River of Grass’, are the home of a vast,
waterlogged prairie and acres of hardwood swamps. All that makes for perfect
paddling adventures near the southern end of the state. There are several places
to launch from, but we find Hell’s Creek, a narrow corridor of vegetation and
tannin-heavy black water, to be one of the most evocative. While you’re paddling
down this narrow waterway, you can camp on raised platforms with thached roofs
called ‘chickees’. Other paddling adventures in the Everglades include boat
trips around the area’s primeval hardwood and cypress swamps.


OLETA STATE PARK

Oddly enough, in the middle of Florida’s most iconic city, one can find a
paddling trail that takes a deep dive into South Florida’s ecosystems. Oleta
State Park is barely minutes from some of Miami Beach’s glistening high rise
condo canyons, yet it feels a world – and an era – utterly removed from all of
that modernity. This is the largest urban park in the state of Florida, and a
local outdoor center can get you hooked up with the equipment and gear you need
to take to the water.


WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS

This fantastically named blue freshwater spring is best known as the home of a
band of resident performing ‘mermaids’, but Weeki Wachee is also one of the
better paddling springs in Florida. Located in Hernando County about an hour
north of Tampa, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park encompasses the eponymous
springs, where the flow of water is so powerful it replaces itself every 60
minutes or so. The crystalline water is an attraction in and of itself, but so
are the human ‘mermaids’ and manatees that Spanish explorers mistook for
mermaids. This is a popular destination, so expect crowds, especially on
weekends.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/florida/the-everglades/travel-tips-and-articles/floridas-freshwater-activities/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2755f0e

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


GO SKY SURFING IN ST. PETE/ CLEARWATER!

Did you enjoy your flight? Well then take off again during your stay in
Clearwater with Sky Surfing Aviation!
Hop aboard a super-unique aircraft, sharing a likeness to either a motorcycle or
a boat depending on which variation you choose to fly on, and skim the skies in
an incredible flight over Clearwater Beach’s gorgeous coast.

You can enjoy this once in a lifetime experience no matter if you’re a fearless
flyer or an anxious aviator, as you’ll hop aboard with an experienced pilot who
will show you the beautiful scenes of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Thrilling and
wonderful in the same breath, you’ll be skimming the airways like a magic carpet
ride.

You’ll have the chance to choose between 20, 40, 60-minute flight lessons, and
even a two & a half-hour Advanced Flight Lesson where you’ll get to learn the
ropes of flying these amazing machines which will see you surfing the
stratosphere.

Take your holiday to new heights in one of these fantastic vehicles where you’ll
get to have a truly once in a lifetime experience. With affordable rates too, a
flight on one of these machines is always in reach when you’re holidaying around
St. Pete / Clearwater.

https://www.ocean-florida.co.uk/blog/sky-surfing-st-pete-clearwater/

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


LOOKING FOR SOME WET FUN TO ESCAPE THE HEAT?

Looking for a fun summer attraction that won’t have you melting after a few
minutes because Florida feels like the surface of the sun?

A new social media-themed water park, called Island H20 Live!, opened on Friday
in Kissimmee, next to Margaritaville Resort Orlando.

It’s not your everyday water park. Much like Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon
Lagoon, all the slides and attractions in the water park follow a strict theme.
For this park, the theme is social media.

The park features eight slides, Chat Creek lazy river, two kids’ zones and an
adult-only (21-year-olds and up) zone called Private Domain. Each slide and zone
has wacky social media-related names like Follow Me Falls and Reply Racers.

The theme doesn’t show up only in the names of attractions, it’s woven into the
whole park experience. Guests can customize music play lists, color themes and
water slide experiences, according to an Island H20 Live! release. The park
achieves this through its app and an RFID Smart Band all guests are given when
they enter the park, the release said. The wrist band allows them to connect to
their social media networks and create a park profile.

Because the park is brand knew don’t be expecting a fast-pass-type system for a
little while. “Speed Keys,” which will give guests front-of-the-line access and
the ability to reserve time slots, are “coming soon,” the park said.

General admission for the park is $49.99, plus tax. You can buy a reduced price
ticket online for $39.99 that is only valid till June 23.

While the water park doesn’t have its Speed Keys yet, it does have annual passes
ready for purchase. It usually costs $89.99, but if you buy one before June 24
it will be $69.99.

https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article231822068.html

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST

Whew, what a relief!

I’m glad I left all of my South Florida glamor behind when I decided to travel
some 645 miles to vacation along the Emerald Coast’s shimmering green beaches.
Here, I get to flaunt like a flag my old Bermuda shorts and worn-out sneakers.

I also don’t need to bother styling my hair or watch what I eat.

According to the spirited self-help rants in the “Emerald Coast Guide” I picked
up at the Gulfarium, this is key to enjoying myself and blending in with the
natives.

Frump is proudly in vogue here, the guide boasts, listing “perfect hair” as a
South Florida hang-up you won’t be enduring here.

The laid back attitude, however, ends at fashion and health.

There’s a language code: English only.

According to this tourism guide, which doesn’t mind offending a segment of
Florida’s population — or international tourists — this is not the turf for
“foreign language translations” like you-know-where.

Not to be confused with an undocumented immigrant in need of forbidden sanctuary
in this, Congressman Matt Gaetz’s territory — and the place Gov. Ron DeSantis
chose to sign Florida’s anti-sanctuary bill into law last week — at the Okaloosa
County line I stopped saying to the kids: “¡Vámonos!”

It’s “let’s go, brats” only from here on out.

Easy enough, but the rules get weirder.

You should not confuse the glitter in the water as permission to showcase
perfect bodies, nor behave like brothers and sisters and husbands and wives who
“happily get along.” None of this having the entire family “walking along the
beach all dressed up in the latest styles,” as the anonymous guidebook author
believes happens all the time on South Florida beaches.

Equally so, rich viejos verdes beware: There’s no appetite here for “a guy in
expensive fishing gear catching a game fish with a pretty girl, half his age in
a bikini cheering him on.” (Forgive the bad grammar, it’s not mine.)

While vacationing in this paradisaical Panhandle, you NEVER (their capital
letters): “Weigh yourself. Eat dinner without dessert. Complain.” At a
respectable seafood establishment I ate, they served an adult a cup of Goldfish
with a salad.

And no need to bring a chair to the beach, the guide advises. Just dig a hole in
the sand — and drape a towel over it. I don’t know what they do to accommodate
malts and milk shakes-enhanced butts on that sandy “chair.” It’s not included in
all the helpfulness of page 50.

Visiting here you confirm that there really are two Floridas.

It’s as if the I-4 expressway through Orlando were a cultural equator with
progressive Gainesville being a geographical aberration, those border nooks you
sometimes see on the maps of the developing world.

On this north side — where most of the tourists speak with a Southern drawl and
hail from Sweet Home Alabama, which recently surpassed Mississippi as the most
backward state in the union — all of the above stated no-nos are considered ills
endemic to the south end of the peninsula.

They don’t like us — and that explains a lot about Florida politics. For
instance, why Trump devotee Gaetz is our Florida man personified in Congress.
And why Gov. Ron DeSantis absconded away from his Cuban fans in Miami-Dade to
Okaloosa County to sign a bill that bans sanctuary cities that don’t exist in
Florida. He was in the company of some 300 enthusiastic supporters and only a
handful of protesters, according to the local press.

This is what people mean when they dub these here parts Floriduh.

The natives, however, are very nice.

They are helpful and polite to a fault, if ill-informed on politics, and
confused about the religion they constantly evoke. Jesus would not be happy with
their self-righteous attitude toward the less fortunate fleeing persecution and
poverty.

And the powers that be should worry more about overpriced hotels that could use
better housekeeping — and about the June grass covering the sand like stitches
on a quilt — than federal immigration law.

The algae gives the beautiful waters their green tint in sunlight, but in
excess, it also turns the beach water a muddy color. Memories of last season’s
unrelenting toxic red tide and algae bloom in Florida are still too close for
comfort.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/fabiola-santiago/article231639763.html

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


AROUND THE LEGOLAND WORLD IN 13 DAYS — FATHER AND SON’S EPIC JOURNEY ENDS IN
FLORIDA

If you’re a certain age, the word “Lego” immediately sparks fond memories and
joy. The fun brick-building toy captured the hearts and minds of a generation.

But it’s quite possible that no one in the world likes Legos as much as this
German father and son, who were the first to travel to every Legoland park in
the world.

In a span of 13 days, Dieter Deussen and his 5-year-old son Julian visited seven
countries and eight cities on their all-around-the-world trip.

“The key to this trip was to have fun and enjoy extensive time with my son,”
said Deussen in a statement. “It’s a memory that we’ll have forever.”

Deussen wanted to create a special experience for Julian before he started
school for the first time in September. Knowing that his son is a big Lego fan,
Deussen suggested a “Legoland World Tour.”

“It didn’t take more than a few seconds for Julian to say yes,” said Deussen.

It took Deussen eight months and many hours to plan for the trip.

Their first stop on the world tour from Dusseldorf, Germany, their home, was
Legoland Windsor Resort in the UK on June 27. After that they went to Legoland
Billund in Denmark, Legoland Deutschland in Germany, Legoland Dubai, Legoland
Malaysia, Legoland Japan and Legoland California Resort.

The final stop on their journey was Legoland Florida Resort, where they arrived
on Tuesday.

“Traveling the world and visiting all of the parks in just under two weeks is
the ultimate Legoland vacation,” said Shawn Mikus, Legoland Florida Resort
spokesman. “We’re really happy that Legoland Florida Resort could play a small
part in creating a lifelong memory for Dieter and Julian.”Legoland Florida was a
little different from the other stops on their world trip because the park is
the only place to The Lego Movie World. In fact, the movie’s main stars, Emmet
and Wyldstyle, greeted Julian at the park.

“100 percent it was worth it. To see Julian smile so much at every park and
interact with children from around the world, regardless of the language
difference, was amazing for me to see. I would absolutely do it again,” Deussen
said.

At the end of their 13 day trip it seemed like they visited all the parks. That
is, until Legoland officials realized the Deussen family world tour was not
quite complete.

Officials surprised the Deussens with complimentary tickets to visit the
Legoland New York Resort, which opens in 2020.

https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article232643557.html

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


HAGRID’S MOTORBIKE ADVENTURE IS REDEFINING THE ROLLER COASTER EXPERIENCE

Don’t fool yourself into thinking Universal’s new ride is tame because it’s
Harry Potter-themed.

As the longest roller coaster in Florida, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike
Adventure is a record-setting revelation that’s shattering expectations. Between
its record-breaking number of launches — a jaw-dropping seven — and an
unexpected surprise encounter with devil’s snare, rest assured, you’ve never had
this much fun at Universal Orlando Resort before.

Wondering what those launches do, exactly? The second your motorbike or attached
sidecar — a brilliant seat design offering two different ride experiences —
would begin to plateau, it’s instead propelled forward, giving Orlando’s newest
and possibly best coaster a constant energetic boost that brings the thrills.
Those seven continual launches, the most of any coaster in the world, keep
momentum going for a journey that never lets up and a sensation as unbelievable
as the magic-packed “Harry Potter” films themselves.

You can ride a “broomstick” past Hogwarts’ Whomping Willow and take a rusted-out
mine train through Gringotts’ bank vaults on attractions elsewhere in
Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but only here, speeding past
Hagrid’s hut and overcoming otherworldly encounters does the ride technology
actually feel as mystifying as an Apparition spell.

The attraction itself takes place as a fictional Care of Magical Creatures
class, where guests shuffle into enchanted motorbikes (thanks to a charm by
Rubeus Hagrid and Mr. Weasley, Ron’s dad) to see the fabled Blast-Ended Skrewt.
Choose between a motorbike littered with knobs and switches for a real-life
experience out of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’s” opening moments or
an attached oblong sidecar — both offer different perspectives — and hold on
tight for a speedy trip through the Forbidden Forest packed with over a thousand
trees and the inventive creatures from J.K. Rowling’s best-selling novels.

You’ll zoom past a centaur, come face-to-face with that gigantic scorpion-like
Skrewt and even see his three-headed dog Fluffy — but not for long enough to
need music to subdue him. From Cornish pixies floating above the Weasley
family’s Flying Ford Anglia to getting stuck in Devil’s Snare to a Unicorn duo,
it’s a stand-out attraction worth buying tickets for. (For an added scare, give
it a go at nighttime, when the only light comes from each motorbike’s headlight,
making for a realistically wild time.)

For a ride that moves this quickly — Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike
Adventure hits speeds up to 50 mph — you expect it to end fast, too, but it
doesn’t. The nearly mile-long track, the longest in the state, carries
passengers through all ends of the forest and back before a shocking ending
that’s worth the lengthy wait in line. And speaking of that line — even in its
first few weeks, wait times have become so long that the ride has reached
capacity before day’s end. Be sure to utilize the Virtual Queue (or call ahead
to check the wait) and try your best to board earlier in the day before
Florida’s regular rain storms hit, when the ride has to close for thunderstorm
safety and does, regularly.

Universal Orlando Resort refers to Hagrid’s as a “story coaster,” and though
it’s categorically for families, encourage your littles to channel that
Gryffindor bravery as this wild ride sacrifices none of the fun adults are in
search of on a thrill-packed vacation. (Its height requirement is 48”, or four
feet.) This new Hogsmeade roller coaster perfectly bridges the gap between child
rides and aggressive thrill-seeking: it’s supremely fast but without inversions
and has familiarity in its most frightening moments and is unprecedentedly
smooth, making it approachable for all theme park guests and a brilliant
addition to the park’s other Harry Potter experiences.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/amusement-parks/hagrids-magical-creatures-motorbike-adventure-universal-orlando

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories
Travel


FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES RABIES WARNING AROUND DISNEY WORLD

Guests to Disney World’s Epcot park have been on high alert after learning that
a case of rabies was confirmed in the park’s area last week.

Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a 60-day rabies alert for
the area on Tuesday after a nearby feral cat tested positive for the disease,
according to Miami Herald.

The alert is for a two-mile radius around the intersection of Interstate 4 and
Epcot Center Drive. This area includes several resort hotels and Disney’s Epcot
and Hollywood Studios.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health told Newsweek that two Disney cast
members came in contact with the rabid cat. Both employees have since returned
to work.

“Contact with feral cats, stray dogs and all wildlife particularly raccoons,
bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes should be avoided,” the
Department of Health said in a statement. “The public is asked to maintain a
heightened awareness that rabies is active in this area of southwest Orange
County.”

Rabies is spread through saliva and humans can contract the disease through a
bite wound or scratch. Initial symptoms — including weakness, fever and
dizziness — may be mistaken for the flu.

If you come in contact with an animal in the area, wash the wound with soap and
water, seek medical attention and call Orange County Animal Services at
407-254-9150.

The health department also encouraged those with pets to make sure their animals
are vaccinated against the disease.

Rabies is a disease that can turn fatal if left untreated for just seven days.
For more information, here’s a guide to everything you need to know about the
rabies vaccine.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/florida-department-of-health-issues-rabies-warning-at-disney-world

Author webmasterPosted on July 17, 2019Format ImageCategories Travel


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