Now Florida is quite nice, if I had the money all those years ago thats where i would be living, not some 3rd world country as I am now, sadly i didn't have the money, anyway you will find the weather forecast here.
Now Florida is quite nice, if I had the money all those years ago thats where i would be living, not some 3rd world country as I am now, sadly i didn't have the money, anyway you will find the weather forecast here.
Here is another helpful site you should visit before you think about living/vacationing in Florida.
The National Hurricane Center
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
The weather (for the most part) is wonderful (especially when I go back to visit during March and April). However, the hurricanes and property taxes (up 34.37% in the past 2 years alone!) might keep most people from retiring there.
Hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th of each year.
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/G1.html
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
If you ever get a chance to visit South Florida I have listed some places that I think are nice which are outside the mainstream tourist destinations.
Out on Key Biscayne there is Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park ( http://www.floridastateparks.org/capeflorida/ ). It is a nice state park with a beach, pavilions to rent, fishing areas, lighthouse (history), etc. However, there is a harbor with a restaurant that many South Floridians (except seasoned boaters) know about. It is a nice place to spend ˝ day walking/bicycling along nature paths (my dog loves the walk) and ending the day at the restaurant watching the boats come and go.
If you want to go to the beach while in South Florida, Hobie Beach at/on Key Biscayne is OK (not Crandon Park or Virginia Key Beach which are also on the Key). The beach has a nice sand bar (next to the Miami Seaquarium) you can sit on and watch the day go by. Mostly locals visit these two beaches on each side of the bridge.
On South Beach there is nice street you might want to visit for its bars and restaurants, that is outside the mainstream business/bar/restaurant area, it’s Espanola Way. There is a nice restaurant (Café Nuvo) on Espanola Way I frequent while in Miami that also caters to dogs (they have a dog menu).
Of course there is also Lincoln Road on the Beach ( http://www.lincolnroad.org/ ) that many tourists do not get a chance to visit, but it like South Beach is changing,…………..and not for the better in my opinion.
Some new places that seem to be doing better (than the South Beach area) are the Design District of Miami ( http://www.zagat.com/Restaurants/Miami/DesignDistrict ) and the Mary Brickell Village and surrounding area of Miami ( http://www.marybrickellvillage.com/home.asp ) for its night life and restaurants. If you get a chance to visit either one of these areas you should,...but please be careful in both neighborhoods,………..the wrong turn will/might take you into an area of town you shouldn’t be in.
Florida is not Americans, it is part of the USA
Key West and the Disney/Orlando area are common for many visitors.
Bahia Honda is a state park near Key West where you can rent cottages/camp sites and even tents by the night ( http://www.bahiahondapark.com/ ) and still be close enough to visit Key West (driving) but not have to spend the type of money needed to stay in a hotel in Key West. However, the park seems to stay booked, so you might want to think about reserving early if you intend to stay there. At Bahia Honda they have a nice family beach area and you also schedule snorkeling trips, rent kayaks, go fishing, etc.
We went on the snorkeling trip (ferry you out to a reef and let you explore) while driving down to Key West on this trip. A murky picture is posted below of some fish we saw while out over the reef.
The best time to visit Key West, I think is towards the end of October every year for Fantasy Fest ( http://www.fantasyfest.net/schedule.cfm ). It can be a good time,….however getting a room in the area is difficult and you have to plan early if you intend to visit. The place gets packed! A lot of ˝ naked women, in the streets.
Key West has a lot to offer a tourist, but mostly beer and fishing. If you like both,…..you would be in heaven here.
Just a suggestion if you plan to visit the Key,………I have stayed in a few places in the Keys but so far the Pier House ( http://www.pierhouse.com/ ) has been the best.
Below are other places you might want to visit while in Key West.
Bahia Honda Snorkeling Trip
Southern Most Point of the Continental United States (it seems everyone who visits the Key has to get their picture taken here)
View from the Room at Pier House
If you have kids,……..
Key West Butterfly Conservatory ( http://www.keywestbutterfly.com/conservatory.htm )
And the Hemingway Home
http://www.hemingwayhome.com/HTML/main_menu.html
Most tourist visiting the Central Florida area visit Disney World. The girlfriend wanted to see the Disney Main Street Parade and Fireworks Display at Disney World while we were in the Central Florida area, so we stayed one evening at the Grand Floridian ( http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/grand-floridian-resort-and-spa/ ). One day, visiting Disney (rides are for young kids, we did not do) and the next day visiting Universal (the rides here are great!). I don’t think most people need any more than two full days to do both parks, if the parks are not too busy.
Disney World Main Street Electrical Parade and the Fireworks Display, seen from the Grand Floridian. These videos (if you have kids they might enjoy watching these) are extremely dark, but you can make out the characters and the fireworks.
Part 1, Disney World Main Street Electrical Parade
Part 2, Disney World Main Street Electrical Parade
Part 3, Fireworks display
Here is a video of the Grand Floridian
Here are a couple of random shots taken around Florida (Southern portion).
Port of Miami Miami-Dade County - Port of Miami
Stiltsville http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiltsville_(Florida)
Florida Everglades (she saw the gator and wanted a picture next to it) Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Florida Sandhill Crane Sandhill Cranes
Cypress Head Cypress Swamps - Stillwater Swamps - Bottomland Forest Ecosystems - Forest Resources - Florida Forest Stewardship - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension
Two Bald Eagles in flight (upset because we are too close to their nest, you can hear them complaining over the wind if you listen closely)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bald_eagle
hurricane season is "officially" june 1st to november 30th but tell mother nature that. this year we have been very lucky no major storms "yet", touch wood. there is a tropical storm (Ida) today off the coast of Nicaragua which could bring some bad weather to Florida in a few days, hopefully it will not be too bad.
I'm planning to be in Florida roughly two weeks from now, Delray Beach. The best English pub I've ever been to in the States is in Delray, even if it is owned by a scouser:
The Blue Anchor British Pub...... 19th Century Pub Imported From England
Of all the cool off-the-beaten track places in Flawda, I like the springs the best; crystal clear water and abundant fish and wildlife, including manatees. My two faves are:
Alexander Springs
Blue Spring Blue Spring State Park Ranger Photos » Florida State Parks
When I go to the Keys I rarely go south of Key Largo, because most of the good diving is there. If I do venture south I go to Big Pine Key, home of the tiny Key Deer:
Key Deer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Otherwise, the Everglades during the winter (dry) months offers a stunning variety and volume of wildlife. I'd post some photos but can't seem to get links to my Picassa album to work here.
“You can lead a horticulture but you can’t make her think.” Dorothy Parker
Cranes near Alexander Springs:
Baby gators in the glades:
With mum:
Eats baby gators when mum's away:
Butterflies in Glades:
Last edited by robuzo; 05-11-2009 at 02:45 PM.
Looks nice. You can move there. Prices crashed in a lot of areas. Lots of trailers but hey you can live there.
one property
Office Website Property Details
UNitedCountry Realestate
Search Rural & Recreational Property By State - United Country
Another place to visit while in Florida is Daytona Beach (you’re allowed to drive on this wide beach). Besides racing there are other events that take place during the year there,……..for example, Bike Week and Spring Break (not like it once was).
If you are in Miami during the month of March, I suggest visiting Calle Ocho if they are having the street party that is held every year. It is 16 city blocks of dancing, music and food.
Along 8th Street (Calle Ocho) they set up different stages with different bands playing throughout the afternoon.
Plenty of good food.
Links:http://www.miami.com/calle-ocho-lets-get-this-party-started-article
http://www.carnavalmiami.com/home.html
Now if you look at this photos I must say, what a beautiful place. Lets you wonder why so many Amis are coming over to Thailand
^Not enough Asians?
Many people have heard about the beautiful beaches in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida,..
but if you are ever in Ft. Lauderdale you might want to stop by East Las Olas Boulevard, also. Las Olas Boulevard is the downtown (business center) of Broward County. Besides being the hub of the business center it is also a nice outdoor shopping area (higher end) with some nice restaurants and bars.
Some art work in a gallery along Las Olas.
There’s a nice neighborhood around East Las Olas,………canals (that will lead out to the intercoastal waterway) behind most every home. Seems there’s a boat in every back yard.
East Las Olas home page: http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/
If you’re ever in Florida and would like to see a sporting event, there are many teams to pick from. Tonight we attended Open Night (2012 Season) at the new Marlins Park.
first pitch at the park,………..
Professional Sport Teams in Florida:
Miami Marlins (baseball) @ The Official Site of The Miami Marlins | marlins.com: Homepage
Tampa Bay Rays (baseball) @ The Official Site of The Tampa Bay Rays | raysbaseball.com: Homepage
Miami Heat (basketball) @ THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE MIAMI HEAT
Orlando Magic (basketball) @ THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE ORLANDO MAGIC
Jacksonville Jaguars (football) @ Official Site of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Miami Dolphins (football) @ Official Website of the Miami Dolphins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football) @ Official Site of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Florida Panthers in Miami (ice hockey) @ The Official Web Site - Florida Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning (ice hockey) @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Each year Florida also holds the,..
Sony Ericsson Open (tennis) @ Tennis - Sony Ericsson Open - Home
Doral Golf Tournament @ http://www.miamiandbeaches.com/doral...tournament.asp
Daytona 500 @ DAYTONA 500 - Daytona International Speedway
I am sure I have missed a few events.
Now, if you are bored spitless by baseball (who isn't?), come to Delray Beach for the tennis:
Tennis - ATP World Tour - Tennis Tournament - Delray Beach International Tennis Championships - Delray Beach, U.S.A.
And the best English pub in Florida (interview with the scouse owner):
A wonderfull place for a holiday and now the wife has a UK passport were off there next year ,, I shall be doing the Richard Petty raceday at Daytona whilst I'm there.
Thanks for all the pics and tips SL
You’re awful
But hey, let me know when you’re (with son, cause he might enjoy the game even if you don’t!) in town and I will send you a couple tickets.
Let me know now, before I start giving them out and I’ll set aside any game (Marlins Schedule | marlins.com: Schedule) you would like to see when you’re back home visiting.
You might enjoy yourself and especially the view (the seat right behind you and the four seats just to the right of you in the next row up).
I hope you both enjoy your stay while in Florida and hope you’ll consider posting at least one picture on this thread (with description) of the event (Richard Petty Race Day in Daytona). I have heard of it but have never experienced it.
Fastest I’ve been in a car (I wasn’t behind the wheel) was 126mph (maybe 128?) and that was more than I would consider doing now-a-days, even if it was Mr. Petty doing the driving (or someone from his team).
^LOL, thanks!
Thanks SL I will do a thread on it mate ,, probably for the 2 weeks were there ,, so it will give the usual suspects on here the chance to throw rocks at me
Couple of other places to visit when in Florida,………..
We recently had some guests (with teenagers) in town and took them to visit Universal in Orlando (Universal Studios Orlando) for a few days. We had great weather the entire time and the kids loved it. These rides are fun, even for adults. There are height restrictions with most of these rides.
Another place I used to visit a lot when I was younger was the Coconut Grove area in Miami (Coconut Grove – The Official Coconut Grove & BID Website). It has gotten a little uppity since the 70’s but still a nice place to visit if you’re in South Florida.
Dinner at Scotty’s Landing (SCOTTY'S LANDING - Casual Waterfront Dining Miami, FL) next door to the Miami City Hall, in the Grove.
Looking forward to that thread.
Yesterday we visited the Wat in South Florida for their Songkran Festival for a short time. We were there for the festival a few years ago and there was a crowd of about 100 to 150 people. At this years event there were at least 400 and maybe upwards of 500 people there by the time we left, at about 11am.
Anyway,.if you do visit South Florida with a Thai there is a Wat she can visit during her stay: Wat Buddharangsi of Miami
I retired in Florida. I worked and lived there for over thirty years. It's all that's been said above and more. It is a great and beautiful place, the best of the USA. For a vacation, if you have the money, it is a must. If you are rich it is great for retirement. If you are just an average Joe as I, then don't even think it. TOO EXPENSIVE.
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