Fort Lauderdale: The Segway

One of the more peculiar sights of Fort Lauderdale has to be the Segway Police. Forget the animal cruelty of horseback, the doughnut laden car or the gas guzzling mighty beat motorbike; times have changes, it’s environmentally friendly staged across two wheels with a maximum speed of 12.5 miles per hour – let me introduce to you The Segway.

The Segway has slowly been emerging as a favourite new vehicle across the world in recent years and the Americans seem to be taking it very seriously – so too the tourist market. Throughout Fort Lauderdale these funky machines can be found; especially in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park; this protected reserve was the escape of Chicago attorney, Hugh Taylor Birch, in 1893, by 1940 at age 90 he donated his 180-acre estate to be used as a public park to preserve the subtropical paradise within a bustling and growing city. His art-deco-style home, Terramar, still stands on one of two original sand dunes in the area; the rest of the city was dug out from the massive waterway system of the river.

M Cruz Rentals in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park has a selection of the generation 4 and generation 3 models – little difference except the steering. If you haven’t ridden one before it will take you at least 5 minutes to get used to it. First it’s all about balance, then it’s all about control. For me the experience was like handling a pogo stick but once I had the knack I was cranking the Segway up to its full 12.5 mph and doing a few spins on the spot – however I was the first and only person to be too confident to then go flying into a nest of trees, head first! I even have video proof.

The tour will take you through the nature reserve, observing a selection of birds and tortoises along the way as well as incredible specimens of plants trees. In 2007 the area was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina which sliced the heads of many small trees leaving a much more exposed habitat. Multimillion-dollar properties lie just beyond the reserve and a ride along the beach exposes the full brutality of the midday sun hammering the golden coastline cooled by the gentle ripples of the azure blue Pacific Ocean.

This is a highly recommended afternoon activity for two or a group of you. It is great fun and you feel the freedom as the wind blows through your hair.

M Cruz Rentals offers to rent: Segways, Bikes, Canoes, (954) 235 5082, www.mcruzrentals.com (Segway tours run 10am, 12pm, 2pm,4pm 365 days a year)

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, South East Florida,  - paradise in urban Fort Lauderdale, www.floridastateparks.org Open 8am til sunset, 365 days a year. Entrance fee required.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas

A big thank you for reading my blog, following my Facebook and watching the video series. What a year it's been with videos completed of Iceland, Argentina, Cuba, Fort Lauderdale, London and Brighton Gay Pride and with much more to come in 2012.

Follow the Journey - Honest Omissions by Ryan C Haynes

Cuba - Traveling the Che state

Cities of interest:

Havana

Santa Clara

Trinidad

Santiago de Cuba

Cienfuegos

 

During the 1950’s Cuba was the next big thing; splendid resorts lined the coast just east of Havana; brightly painted chalets filled the country hamlets and Chevrolets ruled the roads. Today, the resort Playas del Este is nothing more than modern ruins with the occasional working property; the beaches are reminiscent of a wealthy bygone era. The chalets, much like the inner city 19^th Century Spanish mansions, are dilapidated while the Chevrolets are fighting with Ladas on the road.

 

White beaches and glorious crystal blue seas frame an island steeped in history clinging to itself for success. Its heroes in Fidel Castro and Che Guevara are emblazoned across every street, in every town in every region; the people, committed to a life of communism with an income stream from the capitalist tourists of the North.

 

The country opened its borders to travel in the early 1990’s as their Sugar Cane exports ran dry. The need for better technology encouraged them to trade directly with both Russia and China; the main cities certainly do not go without all the mod-cons of the developed modern age – do we include the iPhone? Well, yes they have them too.

Follow this series as we explore Cuba.

Sightseeing - Old Havana, Centro, Costa Blanca,

Havana can be covered in two days. Exploring Habana Vieja will take about three hours where you will see the Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and may well stumble upon the odd Tourist festival.

Costa Blanca is just a short boat trip across the harbour where you will find a working 1950’s electric railway, a monument to the former president and the home of Che Guevara.

 

Centro Habana is the life and soul of the city, where you will find disused theatres, abandoned steam trains, and rusting American style school buses. Capitolio Nacional is an exquisite structure modelled on the Washington Whitehouse, in fact opposite you can find the most central gay bar – Prado Cafeteria. Only open until 9pm and serving canned beers, Cubans stop by this waterhole to exchange gossip and plan their evenings ahead. Tourists get a lot of attention!

Gay Havana

There are certainly areas in the Vedado area where you will find a thriving gay community. Calle 23 is the centre of gay life, near the Cine Yara (cinema), this street is frequented by gay people night and day – but don’t expect it to be anything like major cosmopolitan cities. The one gay venue on this street is more like a canteen than a party establishment, though get talking to one of the locals and they will invite you to the official gay party that evening.

If you want to join in the official parties you need to put faith and trust in the local Cubans who will order a taxi and take you to the chosen event. However be aware that you will most likely be expected to pay the taxi fair, entrance fee and possibly a drink for the guide.

Unfortunately as the gay scene is yet to enjoy the freedoms of North America and Europe, or even its South American counterparts, Havana’s gay nightlife is one of the best-kept secrets.