Category: Florida

Florida16 Comments

East Coast Sunset

Kongo

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During August, the monkey took a well deserved break from travel and pretty much stayed close to home.  Well, those days are now in the rear view mirror.  This week Kongo spent a few days at the Marriott Sawgrass Resort and Spa in Jacksonville, FL for some monkey business meetings.  (Honest, there were no golf clubs in Kongo’s carry-on).  After enjoying several recent sunsets on the the West Coast, it was interesting to see the differences to those on the East Coast of Florida. Continue reading “East Coast Sunset”

Florida, Travel5 Comments

Unexpected Tampa

Kongo

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The University of Tampa in downtown Tampa, Florida is host to one of the most unusual architectural buildings Kongo has seen in some time and was completely surprised to discover it during a business trip there this week.  The  former Tampa Bay Hotel was built by railroad magnate Henry Pant in 1888 as one of the premier anchors to his hotel line.  The unique stainless steel minarets are fascinating to observe. Continue reading “Unexpected Tampa”

Florida, Travel8 Comments

Finally, A Few Florida Birds

Kongo

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Kongo spied this Great Blue Heron strolling along Redington Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida. What magnificent birds these guys are. Kongo also spotted a clutch of Brown Pelicans, some cormorants, and some young gulls who were as curious about the monkey as he was about them. Florida beaches really do live up to the advertising hype. Wide, white, powdery, and well groomed. Next time Kongo is in the area he’s going to bring his flip-flops.

Continue reading “Finally, A Few Florida Birds”

Florida, Travel1 Comment

Sponge Monkey

Kongo

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Kongo briefly visited Tarpon Springs, Florida today and checked out the sponge docks in this famous spot that self advertises itself as the “Sponge Capital of the World.” The sponge docks are about a quarter mile long. After a red tide algae bloom in 1947 wiped out most of the sponges in the area, the ships switched to fishing and shrimping although there are a few local sponges still harvested. Most of the sponges sold at the sponge docks today are actually imported. Continue reading “Sponge Monkey”