The Everglades

Whilst visiting Miami we took a day trip to the Everglades.

We paid $45 dollars for a tour that picked us up from our hotel. The trip takes about half a day, and you have the option of a morning tour and afternoon tour. We went for the morning so we still had the afternoon to do other things.

The trip included an airboat trip and an alligator show.

The airboat tour was brilliant. I was happy to be sat on the end of the row, so I had a good view. Our captain was called Tanya, and she took us on a trip around the waters, on the hunt for alligators. Now and again she went really fast, which was so much fun, and nice and cooling when it was getting super hot. I did lose my hat at one point but luckily it only flew to the back of the boat. And, we did get to see alligators! In fact we got really close to them. It took a while, and I was starting to thick we weren't going to see them. But then they seemed to be everywhere! The tour guide was great, and made sure people on both sides of the boats got a good look. 

The alligator show after was a bit bizarre. It consisted of a woman dragging an alligator round by its tail, and at one point, putting her head in it's mouth, whilst insisting that the alligator was not drugged it was just familiar with her. It was pretty uncomfortable to watch, and I didn't enjoy this part. There was an opportunity after to get your photo taken with a small alligator with it's mouth taped shut, however I thought that was kind of cruel, so kept away. I was also super hot and excited to get back into the air conditioned bus. 

The place had a souvenir store, a food bit (didn't have chance to see what kind of food but I assume the normal burger and chips etc.) and toilets. Pretty simple, but going on the tour you did not have time for any more. 

I definitely recommend this day trip to anyone going to Miami. It was very interesting, and there was lots to see on the boat tour. There were other forms of wildlife seen on the boat tour such as different birds and fish (I know, not as exciting as the alligator), and the tour guide sure knew her stuff and gave us some interesting facts. 

Before you go on the air boat tour, you get your photo taken, which they then print and let you have for free at the end - i thought this was pretty god, as I was expecting them to charge about $20 for it.