All things Naples, Florida

I thought Naples might be the last city on Hwy 41, but it appears that the highway goes even further south to Everglades City. I have just found out that Everglades City is part of the Naples/Marco Island metro area! That metro area goes from Fort Meyers, in the north.

We decided while eating breakfast yesterday, to take a Tiki-Tour on 41 to Naples, stopping first in Ft Meyers. Hwy 41 took us through all the suburbs, traffic lights etc and along the water, which is one of the main reasons for going that way, of course.

Waz managed this photo going over the bridge to Legacy Harbor. We saw the Yacht Basin and decided to go find us some more Loopers!

Looking back to the bridge we had just driven over.

We walked out onto the pier and first boat up was about to leave the harbor. Mitch and Carol are Harbor Hosts in their home area in New Jersey. We swapped boat cards and got instructions to look them up when we are in their neck of the woods...or in this case, the ICW.

 

Their lovely dog Annie was a celebrity in the marina, we found out, as people stopped by to say Au Revoir to the departing boat and her occupants. Annie got her photo taken plenty, and seemed to enjoy all the attention.

 

Here they are casting off. These folks have lived aboard for four years and are on their way back home, but leaving the boat in Brunswick, Georgia.

 

We parked  beside this lovely public park and walked along the sea wall.

 

There were some gorgeous boats in the harbor...the "I just won Lotto kind"!!...one of them was called "I got this"...hmmm...in what? lotto? Divorce court?? lol

 

A couple of our favorite Flemings, and some other lovelies with no names.

 

 

THAT is a serious anchor on a serious SHIP!, my friends...

 

 

 

After our harbor visit we went looking for a coffee, even though it was lunch time. Asking around, we were told to go to Ben's, just down the road. After a couple of false starts, we found Ben's and got a reasonable coffee...Latte...but the beans were a bit burned...don't you hate that?!

 

Setting off again down 41, we seemed to take forever to get to Naples. Strip mall after Strip Mall...gosh, doesn't it all look so much the same!! (no strip malls are not for strippers....they are malls built along the highway).

Our destination was the Naples Botanical Gardens. As you know, we are rather partial to these places and the opportunities they present for photography. This garden, or series of lovely gardens have wonderful hardscapes, children's garden, a butterfly garden, Asian garden with gorgeous shade house...

and a lily pond. It was late afternoon when I took these photos, as we didn't get there until almost 2pm.

Lovely sculpture on the lawn, and a Labarinth with Japanese Gong.

This waterfall was especially nice with a lighted  fountainhead.

This garden was the nicest we have experienced so far. Yes, you DO 'experience' these places. The walks were well laid out and thoughtfully planted while showing each plant/tree/shrub to the best advantage.

 

I love this idea of recycling old handbags:)

Waz enjoyed the partial shade on what was an 85F day! Nice design for these swings!

Pleasant patio design

Lovely mosaics around planters

Lego gardeners

I love water running through a garden...the idea of my own stream, some day, is most appealing:)

A large Lego Wasp hanging from a shade house roof.

The large pond with waterfall was the piece de resistance in the middle of the gardens.

Peace places for contemplation

Lego Dragonfly

the ever beautiful colors and startling shapes of the Bromeliad flowers

A Kapoc Tree

The central pond from the top of the waterfall.

I want my own home to have this at the entry next time...glorious!

 

This stunning flower is from the Double Buttercup Tree. We saw the first flower in a scrawny tree in the parking lot...WOW! What a show stopper this is. The second one we saw in the gardens proper, and it was covered in blossoms. Not leaves, just glorious Snowball sized floppy blossoms. Of course the perfectly blue sky was the perfect background for them:)

At the entry to the gardens, after paying our $13 each for entry, was a display of orchids. I have probably overdone the orchids, so I will just share this lovely mauve one with you.

Down the trail was this entry to the Butterfly House, complete with Lego Butterfly. These sculptures are down by one man. They were everywhere, and quite exceptional in all ways.

I don't remember the names of the butterflies, sorry, you will just have to enjoy them without the name!

We couldn't get behind this swallowtail, but it's wings look like stained glass from the under side, with the light behind it.

Strange and wonderful vines that look like carnivorous plants, but aren't!

Bunny was being hunted by the fox...both Lego, of course.

Simplicity itself!

Kapoc pod and fluff.

 

Waz enjoyed the shade and serenity at the top of the waterfall. The mozaic was superb. Colors and design!

Lego Waterlily

I have no idea what this pod is, but isnt it extraordinary?

I am most taken with this water feature...having built one myself, I truly appreciate the work that goes into making them appear natural, or in this case, NOT natural, but totally at ease with the surroundings. Lovely!

WOW! This blew us away, this vine flower.

Again, we were too busy photographing it to take note of the name! duh!

A Lego Koi in the Asian Garden lily pond.

I was rather taken with this light!

...and for heavens sake!!!! how many bananas are there here???

This garden entry was closed for renovation, but the statuary was great:)

Colorful mosaics behind reflecting pools...

Mosaic pillars, and the central feature is a light fitting which looks like it might be a bell...not!

How peaceful is this?

...and the lovely blossom of the Orchid Tree.

 

My next garden (That we build on our 10 acre property when we win lotto...is there a theme here??) is going to have arbors like these...:)

Cactus gardens are always fun and bright

That was about the extent of it, really, and I cannot possibly fit too many more photos into this blog! Well, I could try, but....

We parked he car just before the Historic District of Naples and walked down the street to the docks and shops/restaurants. It was dinner time, you see.

 

Sheesh...I forgot to tell you about lunch....

 

We stopped along the highway at Bonita Springs, and found a Thai/Sushi restaurant.

Waz had a Thai sweet and sour Pork, and I had possibly the best Rainbow Roll Sushi I have ever had! seriously. To die for!!!:)

 

Back to Naples....

We strolled the dock, along with many other sightseers...late afternoon cocktail hour and all that:)

The charter vessels were just in and cleaning their catch. Plenty of people walking by with baggies of fish that had been filleted for them.

These are the boat captains, usually...cleaning and throwing the remains over the side to the pelicans...or in this case, the 'children at heel'

They take the sides off and leave the guts and heads. easy!

Then throw the remains...guts and tail portions...over the back to the waiting squabblers...

This boat load of 17 yr olds was fishing alongside, and getting plenty, at that.

 

We ate dinner 'At the Bar' in a local French Restaurant. American girl in Paris meets French boy and they come to America and open a lovely French Bistro, as the story goes. Delightful couple!

We ordered 'little plates' which included the Pate de Maison (with cornichons and bread), Tagine of Lamb, and Croquettes de Fromage....little breaded balls of cheese...with sauce...very yummy. Finished off with a Mille Feuille (Napoleon, in the USA) with fresh berries and two Café Latte...made properly...YAYAYAY!!!

 

Sorry..too posh to take photos in!:( but we sat in comfy chairs/sofa, with cushions, by the open French doors, watched the world go by, the sun set and the pooches being walked, and thoroughly enjoyed the indulgences. Who wouldn't?

 

Refreshed, replete and feeling like it was time to get on the road, we went in search of Hwy 75. Our GPS tried to tell us otherwise, but we soon silenced him!  Home in an hour and 15, and feeling pretty good for our lovely day out. Shower off the back deck helped too. It was cool temps, but warm water under the 1/4 moon. Perfect end to the perfect day.

And now it is time to wash the dishes...bah! I got so into showing you all the photos and telling all about the day, yesterday, I neglected my duties, and his honor is snoring already! :(

 

Then it is bed time...11pm! Night Night.