Manatee snorkeling safaris in Florida
Thousands of manatees frolic in Florida’s rivers. It is very popular among tourists to get close to the gentle giants. But the state in the southeastern United States also offers vacationers a lot of fun outside of the water.
In two seconds to 110 km/h – new roller coaster in the US film park
“America is back,” said US President Biden at the G-7 summit, and in fact many shops, restaurants and theme parks in the US have already reopened. A fast-paced attraction has now been added to the Universal Film Park in the US state of Florida.
FFor the more than 96 million vacationers and winter refugees (“snowbirds”) every year, the sun, 2000 kilometers of beach and Mickey Mouse are reason enough to visit. As soon as the Germans are allowed to travel to the USA again, Florida will be at the top of their wish list again.
Before Corona, 2019, 403,000 guests came from Germany. Most visit Orlando with its theme parks in the middle, Tampa and the beaches to the west, and Miami and Fort Lauderdale down at the tip of the peninsula.
Only a few travel 42 bridges further on the Overseas Highway to Key West, the southernmost city in the USA, on the Florida Keys island chain. Or take the ferry 100 kilometers further: The coral banks of Dry Tortugas are among the best snorkeling spots in the Gulf of Mexico. Camping is allowed – you’ll have the islets to yourself once the day visitors have gone.
Those who prefer to look for shark teeth will find what they are looking for at Venice Beach. Or should it be a photo of Florida’s highest mountain? Then on to Britton Hill near the capital Tallahassee. It measures 105 meters.
Source: Infographic WORLD
3000 manatees live in the rivers
They like it warm, not below 22 degrees water temperature. That’s sympathetic, Florida vacationers are not much different. 3000 sea cows, called manatees, live in the rivers. Snorkeling safaris to the harmless and playful chubby ones are allowed under supervision. Then the animals like to nudge you, nudging back is forbidden.
Manatees are harmless herbivores and very sensitive to cold
Quelle: picture alliance / imageBROKER
A golf course with a treacherous hole
There are now 1,481 golf courses in Florida, more than any other US state. For comparison: Germany only has 720 places. In principle, everyone in Florida can swing a golf club, because almost all courses are public, cheap (from 20 dollars green fee), and mostly without annoying minimum requirements such as handicap or handicap.
The most famous: TPC Sawgrass near Jacksonville with the treacherous hole 17 – on an island. This is where professionals constantly sink their balls in the water.
There’s a party atmosphere on the island of Key West
There’s always a reason to celebrate on the feel-good island of Key West, but 2022 will be the party year par excellence. Because then it will be the 40th anniversary of a particularly strange event: the proclamation of the Conch Republic, the symbolic and not entirely serious separation from the USA, named after the native conch shell.
The fun motto is: “Relieve world tension through the exercise of humor”. In the “Drag Race”, for example, drag queens with shrill wigs and incredibly high heels race against each other, there is a curious bed race and a parade for everyone.
The bed race on the island of Key West is curious
Quelle: Getty Images
Sour fruit
The real lime grows in the Florida Keys: the Key Lime, as small as a foosball ball, even more aromatic than the normal lime. Aunt Annie, a legendary Florida Keys cook, used it to conjure up Key Lime Pie in the late 1800s: a pie made from lime juice, shortbread, and sweetened condensed milk.
You can get it for dessert in pretty much every restaurant. Because since 2006 it has even been the official state cake (“Florida State Pie”). Better as a souvenir: Key Lime Jelly, a tart, delicious jelly.
Fly screens at the pool
Vacationers like to sit outside in the evenings, but in Florida people prefer to stay under gauze. Countless pools, ponds and terraces are protected with black fly screens, which often span half the garden. Luckily. Mosquitoes, tiny sand flies (“no-see-ums”) and marsh flies (“love bugs”) then stay outside.
Living in Florida: Greenery and water are desirable, but mosquitoes are not
Quelle: Getty Images
The quote
“The state with the most beautiful name, floating in brackish water held together by mangrove roots”
Elizabeth Bishop (1911–1979), a travel-loving poet and Pulitzer Prize winner, liked to send sea grape leaves, parrotfish scales, and poetry from Florida to her friends around the world. Your Key West wood deck mansion has just been restored to its original state.
Bizarre, record-breaking, typical: You can find more parts of our regional geography series here.
The elephants are loose – in Florida
Florida is known for many things: beautiful beaches, great weather even in winter, amusement parks. Not so far for elephants, but that could change now.
Source: WELT/Steffen Schwarzkopf