We were reserved for 30th Dec but it was my mistake and I double booked with my scuba tour. We called on 30th after realizing our mistake and Bakky (hope not pronouncing her name wrong) answered and was really helpful and friendly to talk to. She postponed us to Jan 1st 2016 as we requested without any questions.
She sent us email explaining every process and preparation needed before hand. We reached there at 10, It was Robert is here fruit market........ ohh love this place. fresh and tasty fruits, they even cut it and salt it if needed...anyhow the meeting place is right next to it, ITs a fenced entrance and your guide for that day comes around 11AM as explained in the email.
We had the pleasure to spend a wonderful day with Erin (apologize if spoiling the name again), she was very informative about everything
(everything that counted :) ) on glades and fun and friendly. They also sent an email requesting to fill a form needed online to save time at apoointment time, but we couldn't do it before so Erin helped us submit it at the location. There are available water shooes and full pants for anyone to borrow but we came prepared mostly. There was another couple from Switzerland, Karen and Roger, nice pleasing company anyday...... we all 5 started in Erin's vehicle, she explained us a quick plan for the day and what could or could not be covered and will depend on time and weather at site. She showed us few gators on the way, she knew all the locations. we even get to see mom & 3 baby gators, thanks to Roger's eagle eye, gators were literally camouflage in the grass and were hard to find but we had our own natural super existed binocular. Then we parked on the side of the road to take a quick walk in glades. My wife was having doubts and bit scared but it was also thrilling and existing at the same time. Erin informed us about the host couple in that area.....Studdy or something big gator and lover Princess. There were few other birds and owl, which we couldn't find unfortunalty but were able to see Princess, she swam by in front of us hardly 10 ft. away while we were coming back to our vehicle, will remember the looks on wife's :)
Erin informed us that one of Garl's friend will be joining us midway for rest of the activities and he found us while walking in the glades. It was knee deep water at places but not to dangerous, don't forget to take your insect repellents.
We then reached for fresh water kayak, Site was aweeeeeinspiring (I'm just making up my own words), Erin guided us for beautiful narrow mangrove paths and a Monster gator, said to be around 15ft or so, showing off his white big teeths all around his face, just relaxing in sun bath, we were able to get close enough from kayaks but the wind were pushing us towards the gator. Erin was making sure we are close enough to see and take photos from kayaks but still far enough to not disturb or come in dangerous situation. I would have to applause for Erin for her experience and care for nature and wild. She made sure we do not disturb the wild animals in their natural habitat and still able to experience some amazing moments with them. We even tried a "nothing here just watching wild flowers excuse to other vehicles so they don't start gathering there and disturb the gators, but din work that well :)". We then came to Flamingo state park, had our lunch, nice place for sunset, it was windy and in wrong directions then we would like for safe salt water kayak as per Erin's experience, but she was able for a quick kayak tour up-to short and safe distance in salt water for wonderful sunset, she brought some wine with her and shared with the group........Thank you for that. while coming back, it was already dark, Erin stopped couple of times for snakes, we were able to sight 2 nasty little water snakes and 1 dead one.
Our last stop was for night walk, Again thanks to Erin, she brought stanley flashlights for everyone to spot gators in night, she was telling about her experiance few weeks earlier when she got to glaze on a gator dining on another gator, but our luck was able to afford a big spider dining on something, few shining gator eyes (looked like diamonds in the water....literally) and one very stealth gator lurking just at the right spot for one last sight for the day. We then headed back to our meeting places and said out goodbyes.
It was a memorable fun day with Erin and Garl's Kayak and wild yet safe tour experiance.
A heartfelt thanks to Erin and Bakky and whole Garl's team for this wonderful experience.