Everglades and Swimming with Dolphins

Florida - the home to CSI: Miami, Disneyworld and the Everglades. Yes, those Everglades - the ones just outside Miami and quite the feature when you delve into the heart of crocodile and snake territory.

State Flag of Florida.

Most of the history is tied into that of its tribal peoples it hosted throughout the years since the Prehistoric period when a tribe of period into the area hunting for sabre-toothed tigers and giant sloths. Remind you of anyone in recent times? For those who can't quite remember - think Ice Age! The food sources at that time had to cope with a variation of the desert climate, which also lead to the wildlife in the area adapting to the temperatures - and later the risen water tables that brought reptiles like the Crocodiles to the Everglades. Recently, the Everglades became protected and formed its own National Park in South Florida.

One of the crocodiles, who made their
home in the waters of the Everglades -
got warned to never disturb them.

When I visited the Everglades as a nine-year-old child, who'd just experienced the magic of Disney, and who'd only seen the Everglades on TV. My mum and I were - and still are - massive Crime Drama fanatics and so CSI: Miami was a popular choice in our house - it was a surprise. All I saw was grass and swamps. Nothing else! Green grass and blue-brown water - it wasn't that exciting but then, what do you expect from a place that acts as a conservation centre for freshwater and american crocodiles. Also I didn't know this at the time but I do now - but the Florida Everglades is the only place in the WORLD to be home to both crocodiles AND alligators. Did you? Scary thought....

Anyway....

The most exciting part of the Everglades trip were actually two parts. The first was I got to travel in a hovercraft. Top tip, if you're thinking of going - take earplugs - preferably noise cancelling earplugs. They will supply them - or at least they're version - but take some just in case. THEY ARE SOO LOUD! It's actually ridiculous how loud they are. You can't hear anything except the engine and fan. Why they bother with tour guides for that part of the experience is beyond me.

Hovercraft which takes groups across the
waterways of the Everglades!

Second most exciting part...

Holding a giant snake!

I GOT TO HOLD A MASSIVE SNAKE! Not sure what species it was but it was HUGE! Bloody thing was yellow with white markings and rather docile. Thing is - before all this kicked off I'd inadvertently volunteered myself to handle baby rattle snakes. Yeah, yeah - I know. My daring *cough* reckless *cough* side won out before my more rational but what I like to call my 'hang on here, stop' side kicked in. So there I was - stood next to the tour leader, who was holding the bag and panicking at handling baby rattle snakes. But I go and grin widely as I have a huge snake draped over my shoulder.

How insane am I?

Moving off topic.

Map of Key Largo, Key West and the
Everglades National Park.

The Everglades are located in the South of the State of Florida, right outside the metropolitan city of Miami. I wish I'd gotten to experience the city more and in the sunshine. When we went it was pouring it down.

Of course before all this kicked off - I travelled to Key Largo, which is located in the Florida Keys, just off the southern tip of the state. You know what I'm about to say - I can see the excitement and the impatient looks on all your faces.

A dolphin at the Key Largo
Marine Sanctuary.

I SWAM WITH DOLPHINS!!!!!!!!!

Every kids dream come true - to swim with these beautifully intelligent mammals. The dolphins I swam with were named Samantha and Sarah - nicknamed Princess Sarah. I loved it! Though at the time I needed help - and would gladly go again if given the chance - I couldn't believe that I - a 9 year old hemiplegic was being given the chance of a lifetime.

The Dolphin Trainer and Me with
the two dolphins Samantha and Sarah.
(Samantha in photo). 

I loved every second!

Much like the week before, when I was in Disneyworld - I could forget that I had a physical disadvantage when compared to my friends and everyone around me. I could forget that my future prospects were bleaker than my friends.

I could be a normal kid on holiday to Disneyworld Orlando and the Marine Sanctuary in the Keys having fun!

As such - I implore those parents or guardians or even those who have simply stumbled on to the blog to seriously consider this. Thank you and adios amigos.