This is something we have never seen before, but the reason became very clear not long after I took this photo from the boat at it's dock in Green Turtle Marina, Tarpon Springs.
A fisherman was throwing fish into the water from a nearby dock. There was a flurry of excitement and many wings took to the air as these huge birds descended on the morsel that might have fed one of them at a pinch. It didn't look like any of them took up the offering before re-alighting in the mangroves.
I had sworn that I would not go up or down any more skinny little shallow canals, but this one sure was both. We had to go there, down the Anclote River, or we wouldn't have a dock or indeed and anchorage for the night after the crossing.
We were so tired and hungry by the time we tied up at the dock, we immediately made a cup of coffee and some food and sat on the fly deck to consume and take a deep breath. We both felt a bit like aliens, to be honest, in that "I have just flown 30 hrs and you want me to do what?" kind of fashion.
We were finishing our coffee when one of the marina staff turned up to prompt us that we were expected in the office, as everyone was waiting for us. For what?
We turned up with wallet in hand and joined the other loopers from our group to pay for the accommodation and join the 'tour'.
The tour consisted of all of us boarding (including a 9 yr old VERY large Lab. dog) an 8 seater Golf Cart thing with off-road tires, touring the town of Tarpon Springs and back to the Club House which was so far away from the actual Marina as to be a joke. We didn't see anyone of our group go there for ablutions or laundry. Waz says the only toilet in the Mens room was in the same cubicle as the shower. So someone wanting the loo would have to wait for the person in the shower, if that was the case. Duh!
The upstairs portion of the club house included a lovely Bar and TV and games room, but none of them were open! Only opened on Friday nights, apparently. Not too good considering their normal rate for a boat our size is $2 per foot per night, That makes it over per night with tax on top! We did get a discounted rate of $1.50 per foot per night. I didn't think we wanted to stay a second night for $88, thanks, especially as the bathrooms were in the club house. NOBODY in their right mind would build a facility like the marina and not include bathrooms and laundry facilities on the same level as their docks. At a place the size of this marina (huge) they should have multiple bathrooms in different locations. We will write our review accordingly, on Active Captain.
The spa looked inviting, but at the end of the day, were we going to walk three hundred meters in our swim suits to enjoy it? Nope! 
It was a whirlwind tour of town, waving at the locals as we passed, and making note of just how closer we were to the 'Tourist Traps' in town. Not only were they all selling sponges (what the town is famous for, apart from the Greek aspects) but people were out actively hawking them, meals, discounts on dolphin tours etc, which was just horrid.
We decided to take the laundry (a full load) over to the club house, wait for the washer to finish..approx.. half an hour and then put the load into the dryer for the hour it took, and walk into town while the clothes cooked. It proved to be a good scheme!
Our first stop was the Ice-cream shop for a small scoop while we walked. Hmmmmm....What we hadn't banked on was passing...no, make that...stopping and looking in the window of...Hellas Greek Bakery!!!
Of course, once you have looked in the window at all the lovely looking pastries, you go inside to get a better look, don't you?:) Of course once you have had a better look, and smell the coffee and all that honey and cinnamon, which is so typical of Greek Pastries, you have to order! and THAT is what we did.
Waz ordered the Canoli, and I ordered the round thing with a name I cannot pronounce, let alone spell...sorry...pic up the wrong way!
The cappuncino was sprinkled with cinnamon, which was fantastic, and the coffee cut through the sweet of the pastry beautifully. It was good to get something else in our tummies, although so much sugar might not have been a good choice.
We all complained of feeling a bit 'At Sea' as we walked around the town.
A typical Florida tourist town. All the car parks were charging $ per day, and there were plenty of them. This town must be dynamite in the middle of summer. Glad we aren't going to be here!
The town wharf decorated for Christmas.
Sponges for sale everywhere.
The main drag
This was a bit freaky! Kitties alongside the alligator head?? The only non-fake thing in this display is the alligator head!
We walked back to the boat dragging our chains a bit and it was decided that the Capt. would take a nap while I went back for the laundry. I folded it all to fit it into a plastic crate, but it was rather heavy and I was exhausted by the time I got it back on the boat. I didn't put it away. By now it was 4.30pm and Waz had woken after an hour and a half sleep. He didn't really feel much better, but decided not to sleep the rest of the day away because then he wouldn't sleep as well that night.
We had a pleasant pre-dinner visit with Dave and Robyn at their boat for an hour before gathering Tom and Melisia from one of the other following boats to walk to town.
As I said in the previous post, we had all arranged to meet at 6.30pm and go out for dinner at Mykinos (sp?) Restaurant.
The food was tasty and authentic, and we enjoyed the company more than anything. All the others have almost completed their Loop and are crossing their wakes shortly, whereas we have yet to begin. Lots to learn and fun to hear all the 'stories'. We all turned in for a good night's sleep, hopefully.
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