I drove all the way to Flamingo Bay back I 2002. But here was no flamingos just a  beautiful beach. I have learned that the flamingoes are long gone. I took the chance and I got on a boat that was taking us trough the canals that US navy built ad used for long time. We have learned a lot about the trees and birds, and listen some stories about the alligator jumped out from the water and grabbed a child off the boat. the mother jumped after the alligator and somehow she rescued her child. Also another story about the alligator and an anaconda fight that was taking 3 days. So it was a very interesting boat trip and at the end we were able to see American crocodile as well. 

Near at the visitor center I paid for the swamp trip on the air boat. I’ve done it 4-5 times and I’ve learned one thing,.. its all BS. They take you out to the sawgrass prairie to see gators. In the middle of the swamp they stop the boat, and they say to be quiet, but there never will be alligators. you can see gators on the canal where they get feed. However, I thing the sawgrass prairie is beautiful. I could stay there foe hours not only that 10-15 minutes that usually they stay. I love the view, the quietness and the fact that it could be so wonderful if there would no people around me. Or at least other nature lovers like me. 

After when the bat return the alligator show starts. Usually they start with a toad or a scorpion in hand, and then and old man walking along the gators telling bad jokes. The real show was for me when I’ve got bored I walked out and I find a gator in the grass waiting for prey. I could’ve be her prey if I would not see her on time. This wasn’t my last affair with gators but it was pretty scary. 

Not far from here you can visit Shark Alley. This is an excellent walking or hiking area if you want to see gators since they come out to the concrete walk path to rest. you able to see from gator babies to pretty large ones. sometimes I had to step over them, but have o be careful, they so quick you might cant get away from the,.

I also Visited the Indian village in the everglades. on the way of the road on the left side there is a huge cannel. In the cannel there was a dead alligator upside down and a bird were standing on it. In the village you can see enormous turtles, but pretty soon you find out its all built just for the tourist. where the natives lives you can’t really walk around. But you able to rent cabins on the swamp, and stay over night, and if you lucky you can see them to praise their god on the island, but you cant go there just see it from the distance. Here I was try the frog legs, that made by natives, It was pretty good. 

On the way back to Miami, On the right side of the road I always step by at the eatery, and I always order the very same thing: Gator meat! it comes with a spicy sauce. it real damn good, Somehow they selling gator ribs but they never have when I’m around. I will keep coming until I can try because I never seen another place to offers gator ribs on their menu.