Sunrise on my last day at Fort Lauderdale strip.
Day 29: I leave Fort Lauderdale at 10am after the morning commute, destination Fort Meyers Beach and Sanibel Island. On TripAdvisor I find a beachfront hotel, Neptune Inn. It’s a boutique hotel with only 2 levels (3 levels for ocean front rooms) which I like, not those massive ugly concrete buildings that destroy the scenic beauty of the beach. It received great reviews and I like the website, so I book it for a night.
Neptune Inn on Fort Meyers Beach
Originally I was going to head to the Keys, but since I had a major panic attack going over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge I thought otherwise. It’s getting close to Christmas and I’m spending a week with my friend Cate in Tennessee, so I have less than a week to cruise up to see her. I take highway 75 aka Everglades Parkway. Boy this is one boring flat road with no trees, and nothing to write home about. I wouldn’t want my car to break down here. The trip takes 2.5 hours. I was thinking about stopping at Marco Island and Naples but I didn’t. I just want to hang out at the beach and soak up the warm temperatures and the sun. I arrive early, but they allow me to check in, which is nice.
I don’t want to spend a fortune for a room especially when it’s just for sleeping, but since it’s near Christmas the rates are more expensive. For $164/night including taxes, I get a corner King size studio with no views and apparently no windows. The only light comes from the glass on the door; definitely not spending any time in here, I feel like I am in a cave. I put on my bikini and sun-dress and head for the beach.
Fort Meyers Beach is wide and long with grey powdery sand which feels nice under foot. I survey the area and head towards the pier. My stomach is calling for food, but I want to find a cozy beach bar. In the distance I see the crowds. I see this little shack with tables and a deck, so I head for it. Not a lot of people, I like that. It feels like a surfers bar, laid back. I like the vibe.
Mango Daiquiri, Hurricane Tina’s Beach Bar & Grill
The name is Hurricane Tina’s Beach Bar & Grill. They don’t sell hard liquor so I get the pre-mixed mango daiquiri which is refreshing. I order a house salad and chix (marinated chicken) kabobs, both are delicious. Adam is my surfer dude waiter, who is very attentive and very cute. I hang out for a bit having a few daiquiri’s and then give him a great tip.
Around 3pm, I head back towards the hotel. I find a little piece of tranquility and settle down for a siesta. The sounds of the waves lapping the shore and the sounds of seagulls lull me to sleep. When I awake the sun is low in the sky.
Sunset at Fort Meyers Beach
With iPhone in hand I video tape the sunset. Peace.
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