03/02/2010 - Panhandle - The Forgotten Coast
Florida received us with pure sun! Finally, we again had our wish weather - could begin the circumnavigation of Florida.
The western part of Florida, is from the border with Alabama to about to Tallahassee, Florida's capital, derived as Panhandle (Panhandle), of its geographical shape, called . This is the Forgotten Coast (Forgotten Coast), which has become a trademark for the original, in harmony with nature related tourism. Gently nestle to small hotels and holiday homes on the dunes - from swanky hotel buildings, great restaurants and nightlife no trace at all.
The landscape is rugged and genuine, it has its own charm. On our trip to the East, we experienced a beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida with the typical offshore islands, with snow-white sand beaches and pristine nature.
Many of the houses were in the past Years of rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 had caused unimaginable devastation. Today can be more stable and virtually all built on stilts, so the next tidal wave can not cause so much damage.
Here on the Panhandle, in contrast to the East Coast, the main summer season. Many of the private houses were uninhabited, and so no one bothered because we usually had our pitch for the night between the cottages and the protective dunes by the sea.
"In Apalachicola oysters you have to eat" the locals told us again and again. 90% of Florida's oysters are caught and processed here or come right very fresh in the little fish restaurants on the table. Twice we have made contact to try oysters, but then we decided each time for a freshly caught fish. We always have a say yet when it comes to discussions in gourmet oysters.
08.02.2010 - West Coast - Eco-tourism and nature
Lessons learned value the Panhandle sat down on the west coast of Florida on one more piece. In addition to the original landscape, it was primarily the many large sea birds, which inspired us. At first we had to use more often our ornithological travel book, but then it occurred to us more easily ibises, herons, storks can be seen, cormorants and pelicans, the ubiquitous and sometimes even determine its subspecies.
The metropolitan area around Tampa / St. Petersburg, ended the peaceful part of the coast and suddenly we had arrived at a coastal portion of business and mass tourism is characterized. In heavy traffic, we pushed ourselves through those of modern high-rises and hotels lined streets of St. Petersburg, the Old Tampa Bay crossed the Gandy Bridge and were very glad when it south of Tampa was more quiet and friendly mobile home again.
On at Ft. Myers located Sanibel and Captiva islands, we found ourselves in another world. Pleasant undeveloped and not yet of building fever affected the life here has its own clock. The islands are lush and even the few houses are hidden behind tropical greenery. Sanibel is famous for its shellfish beaches. Here are the most beautiful and largest shells all over the west coast are flooded. The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, we were able to admire the magnificent specimens and compare it with our modest yield.
A small bridge leads from Sanibel the neighboring island of Captiva. This is in many parts of one, only a few meters wide strip of sand that is currently the through road and the magnificent villas plots have room. Where in 1800 the pirate Jose Gaspar and his harem were held by the upper class now lives in Florida.
lies just 60 miles south of the fashionable town of Naples. Golf courses, villas and a Nobel-shopping on Fifth Avenue is true to the tastes of their wealthy neighbors, who fought successfully to date against giant hotels and mass tourism.
We would love to Naples quite well and so we made a two days of rest before we started toward Everglades.
14.02.2010 - Everglades - alligators Caution!
From Naples two highways through the Everglades to Miami, the Highway 75, also known as Everglades Parkway known, and known as the Tamiami Trail highway 41st older We chose the latter for our trip to the east, because it runs closer to the National Park can be experienced contemplative.
This decision was entirely correct, for the leisurely along the road moving River Tamiami Canal provides a habitat for many water birds, turtles - and alligators.
After a few kilometers I had discovered the first alligator in the canal. Petra refused to believe it and I nearly turned over, but then it was only really begins.
were in the channel hundreds of alligators lazily in the sun. It was incredible. We had hoped in the Everglades at least see an alligator in the wild and then this show. As far as it would allow the traffic and road conditions we stopped and watched the exotic reptiles. On, into the back country roads and paths outgoing random monitoring of dangerous animals was even more possible. With a beating heart I am a fine specimen up to about 5 meters range dares. The alligator was petrified at the shore - but his eyes moved and watched me very closely.
How dangerous alligators are really explained to us by an Indian tribe of the Miccosukee / Seminole. These natives of Florida in the 19th Century displaced to the west and have been living in this time of the Everglades marshes, among hundreds of alligators. Incidentally, it is also the only Indian tribe that was never conquered by the white invaders. The taming of alligators has in this Indian tribe tradition and is now presented as a show. Without fear of the Indians tore the dangerous animal on the mouth and put his arm between the sharp teeth. Alligators are common and dangerous and it surprised most of what these Indians dared. Even his head was in the powerful jaws of the animal.
In the Indian village, then Petra's wish was granted, she could hold a baby alligator in the hands and feel the heartbeat of the excited little reptile.
course to visit the Everglades, the trip was a Airboot. With a hell of a noise, like at the start of an aircraft, it thundered practice the grassy river. Without earplugs, we could not stand the noise. The next day we rented a canoe at the Flamingo Point and enjoyed the full contrast to Airboot. Silent and contemplative, we glided over the river and were in addition to many other animals, some manatees (West Indian manatee) observed. The trip by canoe to us then but like better, despite our sore muscles, we strained after 5 hours of paddling had.
18.02.2010 - Key West - self-assured and somewhat defiant
The Florida Keys are an archipelago of over 800, sometimes very small islands are inhabited, of which only 45th The name Key has nothing, as we would only English word with the key to doing, but the English Cago (islets) are derived. The development of the Keys began in 1912 when Henry Flagler's rail line from St. Augustine, Miami and Key West extended. In 1935 the railway line by a hurricane destroyed - in the stable bridges then the Overseas Highway was built. Today, this highway in Florida City begins at mile 126 and runs over 42 bridges to Key West Mile 0, the southernmost point of the United States.
A ride on, like pearls on a chain is beaded Keys a very special experience. While the distance from Key Largo to Islamorada is obstructed so heavily with tourist shops and hotels that we on the highway could not even see the water, the islands were little more south and original. The view was free of the turquoise water and palm-lined Beaches. Fishing seems to be the main occupation, the many bridges are ideal.
Life here has a different rhythm than on the mainland and sits down in Key West, continuing the goal and culmination of a journey through the Keys. Everyone said that Key West was a bit crazy - it's always different.
place to meet freaky types and originals. At the roadside an old woman stood with long tangled hair, floppy hat and cigar in mouth. How the extras of a pirate movie, she was quite real and not uncommon for Key West.
meet in a small bar in the old port we Peter - a Key West veteran. "People here live on their own terms," he explains to us. "A hundred years ago was the main occupation in piracy, shipwreck salvage operations, smuggling, and some fishing." Smuggled was even later, Cuba is closer than the mainland and the keys are difficult to control. And then Peter told us with pride and a smile from the events in April 1982.
"In the fight against drugs, smuggling and illegal immigrants the American border control authority 1982, a supervisory authority on the Overseas Highway from Key West has set up. The city government expected negative impact on tourism, the main source of income from Key West, and complained against the measure - but without success. Other cities would have gone to appeal - but not Key West. On 23 April 1982 Key West declared its independence and proclaimed the Conch Republic. The newly founded Conch
. Republic declared war on the USA, surrendered immediately, unconditionally and asked for help to rebuild "At this point in his story Peter could refrain from laughing no more and he can only stammer:" It was great "(It was great).
Although the Conch Republic existed for only one day resulted in their popularity, that the controls were recruited. The residents of Key West are proud of their Conch Republic, on this one day of independence, and they show it with flying flags outside their houses.
Key West is something special in every way and we liked it well to stroll through the old streets and narrow alleys, passing bars and restaurants, shops and cigar factories. The houses have their own style and the more we look away from the center, the typical, genuine and Caribbean, the residential area.
celebrated in a nice restaurant, we still Petra's birthday. It was so beautiful that we forgot the time and suddenly it was dark. Should we really have only 70 $ for the miserable campsite pay close to Key West - we stayed in this evening just stand on the wild car park at the Harbour Museum and the next morning we saw the red sign saying "NO RV's - TOW AWAY ZONE" (no RVs - Tow Zone) . That would have been a great birthday surprise.
21/02/2010 - Miami - dream city with customs bureaucracy
Miami has it all: beautiful beaches, great weather, great art deco architecture, art and dancing - to another population mix, which has influenced the lifestyle and especially the restaurant scene. More than half the population is from Latin America and in some districts is only spoken English.
We stayed in this wonderful city for a week, mainly in the more peaceful northern region and the unspoilt beaches of John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. The reason for the rather long stay was not only the city itself and the sunny beach weather, but primarily our daily conversations with UPS and customs. We had let us send some things from Germany and Miami, was well as the airport of arrival for this program is not a good decision.
Today, Miami is a drug transshipment point and the customs authority is very strict. Our package was confiscated by customs and thus began the odyssey. As a precaution, we were informed immediately on first contact with the customs of the terms of 2 years in jail, $ 5,000 fine or both waiting for us when we resist the instructions should. With many forms had the content and origin of our mission to be declared - we were suddenly no longer the recipient of this package, but importers. All forms had to be made by a professional costume broker. The customs officials were extremely unfriendly and arrogant - was friendly but our broker, then he collected almost $ 300 for his services. The contents of our package was then approved by a stamp for import and we are angry about the unnecessary additional expenditure.
Miami and especially the quiet and clean suburbs just off the coast of us keep good memories and even dealing with the customs authority for us was a new experience. Now we know that our German bureaucracy is far exceeded by the United States.
05.03.2010 - Cape Canaveral - Space Hands
By enforced stay in Miami we have the rocket launch the Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket from Cape Canaveral at 25.03. missed. The impressive space station we have then, without rocket launch viewing.
The 500 sq km area is located on an island off Tittusville, located in Merritt Iceland Nature Wildlife Refuge. Home to more endangered species of wildlife than anywhere else in the U.S.. The protection of these animals and the careful treatment of nature has been shown in several presentations at the Visitor Center at JF Kennedy Space Center - the core of the wealth of information, however, was the development of rocketry and space travel, the 1949 the first launch attempt on Cape Canaveral by the team of German rocket expert Wernher von Braun began. Very well understood here, the successes of the American space program and to present after the Sputnik shock, founded NASA.
The race with the Russian space program seemed to the lunar landing of Apollo 11 on 20 July 1969 won. Up to this milestone in the American space program is the presentation of very large and impressive - everything after is some under-represented.
the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, there are not only information but also space to touch and experience. For the latter was developed by an astronaut, the Shuttle Launch Experience. The advertisement for this simulated space flight promises an imaginary speed of 28,000 mph and a feeling like the start of the Space Shuttle. For us, it was thrilling and exciting - whether the simulated flight into space close to the reality may well be assessed only very few people.
10.03.2010 - St. Augustine - the oldest city in the U.S.
On the trip to St. Augustine we happen to Daytona Beach. This car-crazy city is also known as the birthplace of NASCAR racing. The first races were still on the hard sand beach instead built up the Daytona International Speedway was. The city beach can still ride on a length of 37 km, only just a little slower. In this city, cars are religion and so it is not surprising that there are in Daytona Beach a drive-in church after the model of the drive-ins - crazy America!
few miles north you live in St. Augustine is proud to be the oldest city in the United States. Founded in 1565 by the Spaniards, the city has played an essential role in the colonization of Florida and the entire South. English and English provided here bitter struggles for the Castillo de San Marcos and the associated dominance in Florida. The fort is now a national monument and a very good life and the military conflicts of the last centuries dar. During a two-month siege by the British in 1702, lived 1200 residents of the city and 300 soldiers are in a tiny space in the fort
from the English era, many buildings in the charming old town. The city has opposed many modern trends and benefits of it today - it has a special charm. We strolled in the evening through the English Quarter, the old city of St. Augustine, and feel almost like the "old world". In the traditional bars live music is played, Tapas and oven-fresh pizzas were on the road served for tasting and some historic pub looked like a few hundred years.
The oldest school and the oldest house of the U.S. you can visit as well as the two, the railway pioneer Henry Flagler built grand hotels. These include but even more in the modern history of St. Augustine. These hotels and the railway began in St. Augustine, the development of Florida's east coast to a vacation paradise, but for now only for the wealthy upper class. The former luxury hotels are now a museum and as Flagler College. Here the students live in the best principal dormitory in the world.
This authentic St. Augustine has us very much. Well we had liked the beaches near the city, so we spent three days here until we caught up with reality in the form of our schedule again.
left with very fine impressions we had Florida and very happy that we have this "detour"'ve treated by the West Coast.
Florida offers so much vision and experience value, we also certainly not the last time.
I was tired of looking at all. A stop at the roadside was not possible, because by the constant rain, the earth was soaked. We noticed that there are many old cork oaks - but not young, renewable. Instead of olive trees are planted. Too bad! In the area to Castro Verde was working on almost any power poles with a stork couple set up a cozy nest. In the Mazury there are many storks, but here in the Alentejo, there are a lot more at home. Whether this has always been so, or only in recent years that winter brings much rain? At a Repsol petrol station, which lies on the route, there are supply and waste disposal for recreational vehicles. A pictogram on the street the way forward. In Beja we spent the lunch break, but then went on to Monsaraz. The remaining route proved again fantastic. Gradually, the clouds tore open and the sun spitzelte through the curtain. The green of the meadows and trees had all the shades. Them are the yellow dots of color that has been painted by the nodding sorrel in this landscape. 
At Portel we turned east to Barrragem de Alqueva. Here the Rio Guadiana is dammed. A beautiful water landscape has been created here. The Lake Inari in northern Finland emerged with its island network in my memory. And high tem of this dream landscape perched like an eagle's nest Monsaraz. The site for the mobile homes located about half way up on a terrace. It's a bit steep climb - which could lead in the rain in front wheel drive vehicles to difficulties. 
From that one has to pitch against the backdrop of the dam's vielen Inselchen und dien verbindenen Brücken. Im Horizont erblickt man bei schönem Wetter die Berge der spanischen Estremadura. 
Dieser Ort ist das Zuckerstück der Region um den Barragem de Alqueva. 
Der Schritt durch eines der historischen Stadttore ist eine Reise in die Vergangenheit. Gassen aus geklopftem Schiefer, spitzbögige Granitportale, in Stein gelassene Fenster, blendend weiße Häuser, die sich innerhalb der Burgmauern eng aneinander reihen. 
Steinerne Wappen und elegante Herrenhäuser erinnern an die noble Geschichte der einstigen Templerstadt. 
And again, there is beautiful views of the landscape lying at the foot 
and the reservoir. Only a few old people live here. At each corner and in every street there was so much to see. A lot of photos were taken - I found the selection very difficult for the travel blog. 
The next "gem" waiting for our visit. Evora is my absolute favorite city in Portugal. 
62nd - 64 Day Friday, 26 February - Sunday 28 February 2010 
repeatedly showed beautiful valleys of rolling hills were limited. By the constant rain, the meadows are particularly juicy green. Them are the orange and almond trees. When we got to the campsite, we were amazed how it changes us presents. A group of Dutch have also arrived and were about to position their caravan on the muddy places correctly. On Saturday it was 
In a small café, you can leave it at Black Forest cake, Frankfurter Kranz, poppy cuts, bee sting etc. go well. There are also whole grain bread, rye bread, rye bread and pretzels to buy. Not only German countrymen shopping here, no, Europe is represented. The local people love cake and bread recipes for German. I can only recommend this bakery. 
In the city there was a shipyard for caravels, from here many explorers sailed into the unknown world. 
They brought gold, precious stones, spices and the first slaves. Thus, Lagos also developed the first slave market in Europe. The house of the slave traders can still be seen. 
Assuming the slave market to the sea, one comes to the ramparts and from there to Fort Pau da Bandeira 
and the old fishing port. Here the wall is very well preserved. Lagos has the longest city wall from the time of King Manuel I in the Algarve. 
as protective ledge is the Ponte da Piedade, the bridge of piety, Lagos upstream. From these cliffs it was the last visual contact with the leaking vessels, from where the lighthouse keeper on the returning ships notify the waiting relatives. From above, a plateau of rock, the beauty is only at the descent of the stairs. are tens of beach bays between Lagos and the Ponte de Piedade. 
was first the landscape to the west still lovely, hilly and green. The trip turned out to be very windy. Once in place, we did not find a suitable location. After lunch we went to the Fortezza Sagres. After 
Vila do Bispo to change its face. Only crouched plants keep the eternal wind from the Atlantic was it was too stormy, than that you could spend a night. It's really an uplifting Feeling of standing at the southwestern end of the European mainland. Here was the navigator of the school Infante Henriques. Up to 43 m in diameter, large "wind rose" in the courtyard all comes from the period after the earthquake. For 40 years Henry has lived here and made plans for the discoveries of the unknown world, surrounded by the specialists of the time. Henry the Navigator's never been to sea. 
Odemira was our ultimate destination today. At Rio de Mira, we are in the parking lot. There is no wind. A couple from Holland in the Hymer Gold spent the coffee break, but then went on to Milfontes. 
