Venice

After a yummy breakfast we chose a beach for morning tea from the map, and headed off. Today it was Fort Myers Beach, not far from the hotel. It was actually white sand today, and lovely to walk along. Warm, gentle breeze etc etc. Lots of people about, but none near the specially groomed area of one hotel that wanted to charge you to sit on their sand, sit on their chairs, and probably for using their spade to make a sand castle.

Anyway, we had a lovely walk before heading down the coast road reasonably slowly to Venice through the heavily populated beach areas of Fort Myers. Venice was quite up-market and yuppy - there wasn't a place for a sandwich shop or take away for lunch. Oh no. Just swanky cafes and restaurants. Kind of like a cross between Rodeo Drive and Noosa. Found a Starbucks tastefully hidden, and got some fruit and panninis for lunch.

Then a 100 mile drive south past all the Indian villages and visitors centres of the Everglades National Park which we will catch up with tomorrow. Slow in parts as it was only a two lane road (in America!), but we got to see lots of scenery that we wouldn't have seen from the Interstate. Arrived at our hostel in Florida City about 4:30, and checked in. We've come back here as it was a funky little hostel when I was here 8 or 9 years ago, and it hasn't changed at all.

Walked a fair way in the warmth of the afternoon to Home Depot for supplies, then Applebees for dinner.