Friday again

Yes, it seems that people enjoy working on Fridays. The weekend is almost here, thoughts of cold frosty adult beverages are common, people seem more relaxed. Only 76 more minutes, YEAH!!
Even though it is the kickoff for the weekend, that does not mean that work quantity or quality should decrease. Relaxed dress codes does not mean relaxed work standards. In my case, I have worked in three of my assigned duties, from 2GoMedia, Future Vacations Product Development, and Damron Vacations. Mostly just updating the week's work, some promotion at a chain of resorts, and trained one agent on 2GoMedia. I have sat in both of my desks today, I wear several hats at my job.
Tonight I will participate in happy hour at The Alibi, my favorite watering hole. The drinks are good, the videos entertaining and it is a no smoking establishment. I may wander over to Bill's or Sidelines. The Drive in Wilton Manors is the center for gay life in the Ft Lauderdale area. It is full of shops, restaurants and bars, all with in walking distance of each other. I cannot stay out too late since I am heading to Key West in the morning, I know, poor thing.
Tonight I believe is Art Walk too. Local artists will have their pieces on display at a collection of establishments tonight. So as customers walk from dinner to cocktails or the gym, they will have the opportunity to purchase. Never know when you might buy a future FAMOU$ artist. The nice weather in south Florida is conducive to many outdoor shows. Maybe a quick visit is in store for you? The agents at Damron Vacations can help with everything from flights and hotel to tickets to a gay Tea Cruise is you are here the first Sunday of the month.

More sloths, canals but now add bananas

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Capital of Limon Provence. Stretching from Panama to the South and Nicaragua to the North, Limon Provence encompasses the rainiest part of Costa Rica, and also its most geographically diverse. From a mountainous western edge to coconut palm lined beaches.
The small town of Puerto Limon cascades down a small hill to the enhanced port. The wharf area is full of vendors with handicrafts for the cruise passengers. Deeper in the town, the streets were lined with shops featuring items for daily living, with the occasional souvenir shop. In the center of town was the main Mercado, an enclosed shopping area featuring produce, meats, and dairy products. I'm sure my local health department would have shut it down, but the variety of products was mind boggling. Cuts of meat that are never seen in my local Publix, were available; sides of pork, hindquarters of beef, chickens with head and feet still attached.
Up until recently, Puerto Limon, was a major port for the export of bananas. Just a short drive from town vast plantations grow the fruit. The fields are full of canals with banana 'islands' filled with plants. Though bananas love water, they don't want too much. Each plant has three shoots, one will produce a bunch this growing season, then die. It will be chopped off and replaced by the oldest stalk for next year, and a new shoot will be allowed to grow. Since it takes three years to produce, there is a mature, adolescent, and toddler stalk on a plant.
The bananas are covered with a bag to protect it from sunlight and insects, weekly inspection keep the harvesters ready to cut the bunches. After they are moved from the trees, they ride a cable that suspends as on the tree and takes them to processing. There the bananas are sprayed, inspected for animal life, then cut into bunches. Or what the public refers to as bunches, technically the whole unit is a bunch, we purchase a hand which is made up of fingers(individual bananas). After another bath, off to shipping and a grocery near you.
Tortugero National Park is just to the north of Puerto Limon. It is known for the large stretches of beach where sea turtles nest. It also features a system of canals that offer great opportunities for observing wildlife. More sloths, large iguanas, monkeys, and a large variety of birds. Originally the canals were used to transport lumber, but now they are used by sightseeing boats. Don't forget your camera and keep a watchful eye out.
Costa Rica offers an wonderful opportunity to experience nature as it was meant to be. With a high percentage of national parks it leads the way for eco-tourism. It has also become a destination for retirees from the United States. The western coast is more popular destination then the east coast due to the proximity to the volcanoes in the central region. If looking for some intense eco-tourism with volcanoes, rain forests and zip lines, call an agent at Damron Vacations. With their extensive knowledge, planning your trip is a breeze. Who knows, after one visit you may be looking for a retirement villa.

More close to home

When people think of Miami and Ft Lauderdale, visions of white sandy beaches, glamorous hotels and Art Deco buildings come to mind. While all this is true, the 'settled' area is just a narrow band stretching only a few miles westward from the tranquil waters of the Atlantic. The major north/south routes are A1A, US1, I-95, the Turnpike, the Sawgrass Expressway and farthest west, US29. The Sawgrass as its name implies is the last road before the Everglades, the River of Grass.
This area of sawgrass plains, shallow marshes, small islands with trees and slow moving rivers used to cover almost the entire area south of Lake Okeechobee. Low ridges along both coast diverted the slow moving water into the Florida Bay. As development encroached, houses and subdivisions sprung up on the eastern border, sugar and farmland advanced from the north. There is currently a major push to restore the natural flow of water to the area. many plans are in the works with the purchase of vasts amounts of farmland from a major sugar company the latest.
Along the western fringe of the cities are a few businesses catering to the exploration of the Everglades. Due to the the shallow water and many dense patches of grass, air boats are the predominate for of travel. Just a 5 minute ride away from civilization, one is surrounds by swaying grass that blocks the surrounding view from the channel. Wildlife proliferates here, birds, alligators and mosquitoes.
The alligators lounge on the muddy banks and swim lazily in the currents. The air boats will drift up close for many good photo-ops, so keep your camera handy. On the small hills that are really islands in the wet season, camps have sprung up to attract tourists. These camps usually feature information on the native Indian population, and wildlife displays. And since this is 'gator country, some wrestling with the reptile is almost required.
On the more tranquil and laid back western coast is Naples, a quick hour plus drive across I-75, Alligator Alley, as it is known. The interstate cuts across in an almost straight line. The view is mostly sawgrass and trees on the islands, an occasional building can be spotted. The drive at night is phenomenal with the abundance of stars.
One in Naples there is always the beach, more family oriented than the eastern relations. Sanibel and Captiva are known for the shelling done. There is also the Naples Zoo, though not in the big leagues, it is a nice experience. A water tour of the canals in the area is a great way to see Florida as it was.
So if South Florida is calling to you, especially those of you in the frigid north, call Damron Vacations and get the process going for a warm weather break. With accommodations from gay guesthouses to oceanfront resorts, the options can fit any budget. Just remember the sunscreen and insect repellent if visiting the River of Grass.