As catch as the title seems, I clearly went for the less glamorous choice during my trip to Florida in February, 2016. Extreme winter chills in Boston drove away me and some of my friends all the way to the South of Florida. We had a few days to spare from the Master Thesis schedules in different labs and so we decided to have an adventure in the sun. Of course there are some fancy choices considering Miami has its beaches and is a party town of sorts, but my friends had already decided to start the trip in Everglades National Park. I must say this was the most interesting part for me that influenced my decision to join the trip just two weeks before...
We did the flight from Boston to Miami with American Airlines since the cheaper option through Spirit was only until Fort Lauderdale. We were welcomes by sunkissed Miami and it was a change from somewhere around -20 degree celsius to +20 degree celsius. We checked into our Airbnb which was one of the most different houses I have been to so far. There was a wonderful couple, a dog, a very large living room filled with a large amount of things- carefully picked. From there we drove in our rental car to the nearest Walmart to pick some important things for our swamp adventure in the Everglades. I had rarely done camping until then so this was all new to me. All of us got ourselves a head lamp and I didn't know at that point how much use it would have. It turned out- A LOT. After the shopping and a brief lunch, we drove our way to Billie Swamp Safari, Clewiston, FL. As sunny as it was, we were all surprised by how the environment was. So natural. We checked in at the counter and was directed to our "Huts"- literally!
By now we had got our footwear completely wet and right behind our huts was a visitor. We think we was old but huuuugee, a giant alligator! I haven't seen an alligator until then, nor up close.He was minding his own business, I was scared and amazed at the same time. The huts had all essentials - a table and two beds. That's all. Not to forget, a small lizard was waiting for me on the bed. Anyone who knows me would know that by now I would've fainted. But I didn't. I was just taking in all the adventure. In the evening we had to drive about 10 miles to get some fast food to eat because there were no )open) restaurants around. It was pitch dark in the area, which was an advantage. We mounted our head lamps and try to walk through the swamp to our huts. As one of my friend graciously asked us to look up and we did, all I could remember was having a starstruck moment. We saw everything- the sky was filled with stars, every little detail of the amazing universe was right up there. I have never seen such an amazing view yet. It was calm and beautiful. I would trade any party nights for such a night!
As our necks hurt after minutes of gazing at the amazing view, we found our way to our huts. It was too dark, the only thing we could see were places our head lamps could light. We gathered in one huts and talked about life and possibilities over a bag of chips. There was no phone network, just insects buzzing outside our hut. I don't know where Mr. Alligator was at the moment, but of course I wondered. Where was the little lizard? I cannot tell you how I slept that night but it was the most oddly amazing experience I had ever had!
Until the next day, when I held a baby alligator and cried my heart out. BEST TRIP EVER!
Cheers,
Swe
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