I’ve never met a Lemur I didn’t like. Actually, I never met a Lemur until my recent visit to Miami.
“Whoa, here they come,” I shout as several Lemurs come charging towards me. I’m at Jungle Island, a short drive from the city and one of the few places outside of Madagascar where you can get a personal experience with these rare species. Lemurs belong to a group called prosimian primates and are considered one of the most endangered species on the planet. They are also the friendliest characters I have ever met.. Within seconds these cuddly creatures are on my head, my lap and basically everywhere.
Lemurs, I was warned, have no sense of personal space. I kept my mouth tightly closed when I felt one of them going in for a movie star kiss. They were adorable with large eyes and a gentle touch, but I had to say no to the smooch. I was sad to leave them. https://www.jungleisland.com/
This was not a typical visit to Miami. My trips to this sunny destination usually entailed drinks with umbrellas, hanging around the beach and some retail therapy.
This was action, adventure, culture and history all wrapped up into four days that kept me energized and entertained. I was absolutely sold on the value of getting off my beach chair with my very first excursion of the trip – a kayak ride at Oleta State Park. https://www.floridastateparks.org/OletaRiver
As we meander through the peaceful Mangrove trails, it seemed a million miles away from the bustling city. Once we passed through the narrow portion and out into the sparkling blue waters of Biscayne Bay, I was beginning to feel pretty good about my paddling skills. The serene kayak ride and cuddles with the Lemurs may have lulled me into a state of serenity but a trip to the nearby Everglades had my eyes wide open. This is an unbelievable destination where alligators and crocodiles co-exist and there’s a smorgasbord of wildlife to feast your eyes upon.
An airboat ride at Everglades Alligator Farm https://everglades.com/ definitely added a splash of adventure. “You are going to get wet people,” announces the boat captain. He didn’t lie. The airboat spins hard. If we tipped, I was thinking we would be the lunch special for the alligators lurking everywhere. Miraculously, we stayed afloat but I suspected this wasn’t the boat operator’s first rodeo. I admit the Miami Vice theme song was running through my head as we buzzed through the water. Every guy looked like Don Johnson, that is until I wiped the water from my eyes.
We went from the adrenaline-pumped airboat ride to a more peaceful backwater boat tour hosted by Flamingo Adventures in the Everglades National Park, located at the Southernmost tip of the Florida Peninsula. https://flamingoeverglades.com. As we ventured up the calm waters of the Buttonwood Canal, our ranger pointed out a variety of wildlife including a Spotted Sandpiper, Manatee and a crocodile! I admit I was doubtful when told we would be boating through crocodile territory. Alligators of course but a “croc”? “This isn’t Australia,” I am thinking.
A short time later the ranger spotted an actual American Crocodile rolling by our boat. American Crocodiles, found in the Everglades, are apparently “shy” and prefer smaller prey as opposed to the more aggressive Nile and Saltwater crocodile found in other parts of the world. But I wasn’t going to dip my toe in the water to test that theory. For nature lovers this area is a must-see destination. After a relaxing bike ride, we were able to check out the Park’s new safari-style eco tents. This was my type of camping with comfy beds and electricity -not really roughing it - but close to nature. They call it glamping
While the outdoor activities kept me energized, there were many hidden gems found right in the heart of Miami. Wynwood Walls is one of those places. My fingers were aching from the Instagram/twitter frenzy thanks to the amazing photo opportunities. https://thewynwoodwalls.com/ Once a warehouse district, this stunning display of street art was conceived by the renowned community revitalizer Tony Goldman in 2009. Today visitors will come face to face with gigantic wall to wall murals in a rainbow of vivid colors, featuring the work of artists from around the world. A sensory overload but one that is impossible to resist. Even the nearby stores are funky and fun. Walt Grace Vintage is a unique gallery that showcases vintage cars and guitars. I came home with a retro ukulele.
For history lovers, Dr. Paul George is the man to see. We met up at the History Miami Museum. https://www.historymiami.org. As we walked along historic Flagler Street and other nearby side streets, he regaled us with tales of the community’s earliest inhabitants as well as commentary on local architecture.
Whether it’s art, history, adventure or a day paddling the Oleta River, this trip inspired me to think beyond the beach when visiting Miami. One confession, we did sneak in a shopping trip to the fabulous Aventura Mall, but hey, I am only human.