Day 314, 14 May 20, Airboat ride through the Florida Everglades - saw the 'Gators. Also saw turtles, herons, egrets and gallinules... known collectively as 'Gator Food! James and I have what some people would call a bucket list. As we travel we try to do things each of us have yearned to do and we definitely do things both of us have yearned to do. Airboating in the Everglades was one of those "definitely" things - probably as a result of far too many Miami Vice and CSI Miami shows over the years. We decided to go with Coopertown Airboats - been in the business since 1945 so pretty sure they knew what they were doing. It became clear once we were on our airboat why they are called airboats - it's like a small, flat, barge with a jet engine attached - airplane / airboat - similar -right? And very, very cool - just not nearly fast enough to catch bad guys. Probably something to do with not scaring off all the wildlife. We saw a 14 foot 'gator sunning himself at the side of the river and while we were staring at him, another massive one snuck up behind the boat and was staring at us. Little bit creepy... Luckily these were relaxed, cool dude American 'gators. If we'd been silly enough to try this caper in Australia with our crocodiles, they would have been in the boat in a blink of an eye and we would have joined the crocodile's food group. So first up we saw the 'gators... when we got back, still full of adrenaline, we held a baby 'gator (check out the photos for proof and meet Smiley). Last but by no means least, we ate 'gator tail. Sad life really.... shoes, handbags and lunch is how the average 'gator resume would have to read. You guessed it... tasted just like chicken. James also tucked into some Florida frogs legs. Also tasted like chicken - just sweeter. Has it occurred to anyone else to wonder why no-one ever says "Tastes just like frogs legs" when they eat chicken. No? OK. Just me then. Moved on and made the drive to South Beach Miami, super keen to check out the historic Art Deco buildings that it's famous for. South Beach is officially cool. Cool in a shiny, neon, fairy light wrapped, loads of bling (or maybe the real thing) kind of way. We love it - we're a block back from South Beach (or 'SoBe' - because it's cooler). We came out at sunset and strolled down Ocean Drive just taking it all in. Bars and restaurants were giving it their all trying to lure us into their webs. Live latin beats and flamenco music was being played by musicians at the restaurants and hotels and there was a great vibe. The offer of free champagne finally did the trick for us and we had an inexpensive dinner on Ocean Drive watching the Palm trees sway in the breeze and listening to the crash of the Atlantic. Going to enjoy chillin' here for the next few days. Bad guys or no bad guys!
(Pictured is Rick our guide with Henry - his semi-tame Purple Gallinule - the Prettiest Bird in the Everglades... so sayeth the Audubon Society).