periwinklepearls
Dec 2014
I booked the all-day tour to celebrate my 60th birthday with a group of 10 well traveled women from all over the country. We were blown away by this unique experience. Suzette was delightful in accommodating our various requests and needs, helping to outfit us in water shoes and quick dry pants. Garl and Geoff were outstanding naturalists, educating us about this delicate ecosystem and its flora and fauna. We started the day with a walk on the Anhinga trail where we saw an array of wildlife, including its amazing namesake bird. We then rode in a comfortable van to the Cypress Domes where we walked through knee deep water to an alligator hole surrounded by ferns, orchids, cypress trees and bromeliads. Next we went kayaking on a beautiful lake and through a mangrove forest. As the sun was setting, we gathered our kayaks in the center of the lake and Geoff broke open a bottle of delicious champagne. Simply wonderful. But the day was not over. We went back to the Anhinga trail, this time outfitted with flashlights for a night time hike to see the eerily florescent eyes of alligators, fish, birds, spiders and insects.
The experience provided was spectacular. The guides were in tune to the unique interests or needs of individuals in the group. We traveled at a comfortable pace. There were adequate bathroom breaks. We were well outfitted. With the exception of the first hike on the Anhinga trail, we ran into no other people. It was us, our wonderful guides and nature. This was the perfect way to fully experience the magic of the Everglades.