Field Trip: Jungle Island

"Beware: The Orangutan Spits"

(not an orangutan, just a cute squirrel monkey (and yes, I took this cool picture!))

Jungle Island (Formerly known as Parrot Jungle)
1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
Miami, FL 33132
Located between Downtown Miami and South Beach

Admission: $32.95 Adult (Annual Pass: $42.95)
Parking: $8 (Parking Garage)
Open 365 days a year

Brief Description: A small zoo with an emphasis on birds
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (I would go again)
My Experience: I decided to go the Jungle Island because a friend from work, who has lived in Florida for 20+ years, recommended a few locations that he thought I should explore in Miami. One of these locations was Jungle Island. It is located right off the highway, so not too much inner city driving, which is great. I went on a Wednesday, so not too much of a crowd.  I would recommend going on a weekday if you can, the area is small, so I think it would really be crowded on the weekends.

At the entrance, there is a staging area where the staff will take pictures of you with parrots.  They will put the parrots on your shoulders and lay them down on their backs in your arms.  There were a few people in line to do this, so I went on and by the time I got back at the end of the day, the parrots were all put away.  When I go back, I will get my picture taken (not sure how much it costs). 

The area is beautiful.  A lot of trees, coy ponds, and birds throughout.  The primate area is really cool. The Gibbons are cool.  They swing around really fast and make a whooping sound that sounds like singing.  Then there is the orangutans...They are in these big cage domes that are made like a maze with a bunch of toys inside.  They weren't doing anything, so I stood alone and waited to see if they were going to move.  One of the orangutans was at the very top of the cage.  After a few minutes, we locked eyes. She used stealth to slide across and slide down a rope.  Then she real casual-like swung over to the side of the dome that I was on.  It was like..."If I move real slow, will the human stick around long enough to mess with her?"  Her plan worked. She was halfway up the dome right in front of me and then buzzed her lips. A drop of spit landed a foot away. I should have known that was a test shot or a warning shot (not sure which)...but no. As proof that an orangutan is the smarter of the two of us, I stayed where I was. The second shot hit my shirt..."kill shot, that's a kill shot!" Then, I moved away...the orangutan looking at me in defiance and victory as I moved along with a spit shot tattooed on my shirt.  So "Beware: The Orangutan Spits!"

There are 3 shows that they put on, Dr Wasabi's Wild Adventure, Winged Wonders, and Tale of the Tiger.

Dr Wasabi's Wild Adventure: Various reptiles and primates showcased with audience participation at the end.

Winged Wonders: Various birds featured. Arrive early and you may be asked to participate in a demonstration (for kids).

Tale of the Tiger: Baby tigers, a wolf, and a skunk (no really, a skunk)

Overall, this was 4 hours well spent.  I am glad that I got the Annual Pass, and I got a $10 discount because I am "local".  It was an overall great day.  80 degrees and sunny on February 2, helped too!

Lesson 4: No Florida Fruit in Florida

The search was on almost as soon as we arrived in Florida.  We had dreams of rows and rows of roadside fruit stands, with fruits and veggies fresh from the farm. We thought this was the land of endless bounty and harvest. 

First, we tried in "normal" grocery stores...the infamous Publix.  All of the fruit there was overpriced and shipped in from other countries and states.  Even the grapefruit was imported from California.

Next we tried a Farm Market...note, this is not a farmer's market.  This place had more potential because they were specialized...again, no.  There was weirder fruits and veggies, but when looking at labels, they were all imported!

Finally we tried an actual farmer's market that again had potential and even the ambiance with the tent and screened in shack.  The only things that were from Florida were oranges and honey.  All other fruits were IMPORTED!

Thus far, I am convinced, finding fruit that is grown in Florida and is sold in Florida is like finding a person that was born in Florida and still reside in Florida...it is rare and should be treasured when you find one. (I get autographs from these rare specimens...they will be worth something some day)

Reading online, it looks like a lot of farmers markets open in October here? So I am wondering if this is because the growing season starts in October down here because it is too hot in the summer, or is it because snowbirds come down here for winter, and therefore there is more demand for farmer's markets?  This question, I will have to leave unanswered until a later date...

Extra Credit: The Scientific Method

Quick thought that hit me while working out...There are a few ways to change things in your life...My mother loves to say "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result..."  She's a smart lady, but when you change something, what method do you choose?

There is the Biggest Loser Method, which says when something isn't working in your life, change everything. Abandon all that you were doing before and change it  NOW.  I guess this is due to a sense of urgency.

There is the sales man method, also known as my dad's method...what will you do differently TODAY.  Change some sales approach that you do to see if the results change...however, as one of my favorite business professors told me, in sales you have to be like a ninja and dodge the rain drops.  Constantly changing direction and approach to maintain the ever changing competitive advantage.  As soon as you stop, the rain will hit you and you are done for.  In other words, change fast and change often.

I am going to try the Scientific method...(it might not be "scientific" at all...so it might be "My method that I am going to try this week until I decide otherwise...") is that I could not have possibly messed up so completely that I have to abandon ALL that I am doing (the Biggest Loser Method).  I also am, as my favorite blues singer in New Orleans sings, "built for comfort and not for speed" so changing fast and continuously is difficult and taxing...(I think the slow pace of Florida is finally getting to me, haha) and some changes take longer to see the effect.  So I am going to change only 1 thing a week and see what the result is.  Then the next week, I will keep that change and add another.  Testing what combination will work.  Moderation is key...or so all of the weight loss programs have told me...

Lesson #3: Rain Happens

The attitude that Florida residents have about rain can be summed up in 2 words: "Rain Happens." 

The biggest example of this attitude is seeing a landscaper (landscaping is a huge business in Florida) cutting the grass in the rain.  It was a down pour and I was picking up my mother from a car repair appointment.  By "down pour" I mean the streets were flooded to the point that the water was over the speed bumps in the apartment parking lot.  On the 10 mile journey, I see a landscaper cutting grass in this down pour and a construction crew busting up the sidewalk.  In Indiana we don't even think about cutting the grass if it has rained in the past 2 days.

Rain in the rainy season (those are the only seasons South Florida has it seems, wet and dry) usually only lasts about a block or two...no really, one block it is dry and sunny, next block a down pour, then dry and sunny again.  So I guess, the old Indiana saying of, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute and it will change," is similar here...but reversed, "If you like the weather, wait and minute and it will change." According to a co-worker, one of the few people I have met that actually was born and raised in Florida, if you don't do things in the rain during the wet season, it won't get done.  That is why they cut grass soon after rain, but he agrees that cutting grass in the rain is extreme.

We are heading toward the end of the hurricane season and therefore the rainy season, so we shall see what the dry season will be like.

PS: Got my Florida Driver's License today...the process was not as scary or as difficult as many Florida people were telling me...

Lesson 2: Registering Cars in Other States

How could moving get more difficult? Somehow Florida figured out a way. I contacted my insurance company and figured out that insurance in high because of the no fault state thing (which I will explain in a moment) and because 1 in 4 drivers in Florida are uninsured.

No fault as my friend commented on an earlier post is a state by state law. Indiana was a state that based accident claims on the percentage of fault each person had. This can lead to more lawsuits. Florida decided, along with other states, that to avoid lawsuits they would make personal injury (pain and suffering, inconvenience, etc) no fault, meaning the auto insurance company will pay for medical expenses (that is the injured person's own insurance company.) The actual damage to the vehicle is still always based on fault.

While speaking to the insurance agent, he says that he will give me a temp card that will allow me to get my car registered...I thought he meant the plates... No he meant to get my car title changed to Florida. You have to take you title from the other state (In my case, Indiana), you registration from the other state, proof of FL insurance,and $127.60, to the tax collector's office. With further investigation, you also must have the vehicle VIN verified by a notary public or police officer! The tax collector (no really, there is a building that says tax collector, and the tax collector's name on the building itself...for some reason thing struck me as strange. We do not have this in Indiana.) will change the titles from the other state to FL and issues licence plates. Registering your vehicle must be done within 10 days of when you become a resident...ie, you sign your lease. 10 days!

Then at the DMV, you take your passport or birth certificate, your SS card, and 2 forms of Proof of residency and get your drivers license. This is of couse not in the same location, or even close to the same location as the tax collector. The insurance agent recommended making an appointment because generally you don't take something that you need and you have to wait forever in line as well. So I guess you make an appointment so that your first trip is a quick rejection of your paperwork and then you make another appointment? I did try to make an appointment and the first available was October 11! You are supposed to have the new license within 30 days...hmmm, interesting.

In Indiana, all of this can be done by 1 visit to the DMV, title, plates, and license.

Extra Credit- The Drive

1130 miles of driving alone...really?  Yes, after a few near misses, we finally arrived safely to FL.  Georgia people are crazy drivers and really it is just the Atlanta drivers and a 30 mile radius around the city.  If I had to live there, I think after just going around the city I would have turned back and said, "just kidding." 

We took a mini break to St Augustine since we were waiting for the furniture to arrive.  Note to self:  Don't go during Labor Day Weekend.  Crazy busy and we could not find a place that was close to town.  So it was difficult to get to all of the places we usually like to go.  We (my family) came up with our top 3 places to go.

My List:
1) Trolley Ride:  I recommend the Green and Yellow trolley (not sure the name, but once I have internet in the apartment I will get it).  I think they stop at the most places and very frequent (every 15 min there is a new trolley).  The passes last 3 days (so the price seems a little high, but when split in 3 days, they are not that bad).  They tell the history of the city and stop at most of the top locations.  I recommend, your fist time in the city, ride the trolley around one time fully to get all of the history and get a feel of all of the locations in the city. There is also a red and black trolley group that is produced by Ripley's Believe It or Not.  I have not gone on this tour, but the parents have and they like the Green and Yellow better...for the money, I will have to believe them.

2) Ferry ride:  I have only gone on one of the Ferry tours, but there are a few available that will take you around the Matanzas and close to the Atlantic.  There is a Pirate Ship that is fun, but you have to sing and dance, so if you like that kind of thing, try it out.  There is also a larger ferry that has been operating for 4 generations (the one I took).  It is great for scenery and is low on talking (giving history).  I would have preferred a little more history in my tour, but I got enough history from the Trolley ride that I could fill in the gaps. There is also a sailboat tour (none of my family has taken) and Eco tours that has kiak and regular boat rides to find the dolphins and wildlife that is in the area (also a tour none of us has taken yet).
3) St George Street:  Pretty good shopping and some really good ice cream.

Parents: (they have been to the city more that 2 times, something like 5 times)
-they would add the following to my list

1) Old Jail:  A good place to see the old history of the place and get a feel of the 1880's time frame (I have never been to the Old Jail)

2) Flagler College (the tour): happens at 10am and 2PM every day, student run tours.  Great way to get the history of the college back when it was built by Henry Flagler as the massive, state -of-the-art Hotel Ponce de Leon in the 1880's.  See the Tiffany glass in the dining hall.  You will get a lot of the history of the Flagler era on the Trolley tours but to see the inside detail, take the tour. (I have never taken the tour)

3) Alligator Farm:  It is on Anastasia Island, across the Bridge of Lions.  If you take the Trolley tours, there is a shuttle that can take you out once an hour to the Farm and the Lighthouse, or you can drive.  You can hold the baby alligators and learn all about the creepy crawlies.  (I have never been to the Farm)

4) Ghost and Graveyards Tour:  There are a number of ghost tours around St Augustine and the Lighthouse.  Some are walking, some are riding.  I took the one created by the Ripley Believe It or Not group, and it was okay, but it was very theatrical. They do give you an EMF detector to use on the tour and a disposable camera that you can use and keep to see if there were ghosties around that you couldn't see but your camera would capture.  The Ghost and Gravestones is produced but the Trolley group that I mentioned as my number 1 attraction.  I hear that it is even more theatrical but it does go to the Lighthouse but does not go in.  They also offer a 4 hour, 10PM-2AM, jail house investigation on the Fridays or Saturdays only (none of us have done this but are very excited it we get a chance to participate sometime in the future).

Those are the big places to go in St Augustine in our opinion.  I went to some new places that I will touch on briefly:

Fountain of Youth: Not updated since the 1980's, it seems, and there is very little that kids would find as interesting.  Needs updating

Government House (St Augustine Museum): Gives a lot more information than the St Augustine museum that is by the Old Jail will about the colonization period of St Augustine and the different conquests

St Augustine Museum (by Old Jail): Free...but not updated (but I guess how do you update history).  Gives more information on the pioneer period of St Augustine and Florida in general.

Casa Zeraga (I will check the spelling when I have internet in my apartment):  This is the first structure of poured concrete in St Augustine by Franklin Smith (who taught Henry Flagler how to do it to make his massive hotel).  Good audio tour to let you know what you are looking at.  Air Conditioned!  Someone had a thing for Moroccan "stuff".  (Go once...)

That is all for now from St. Augustine.  Now to get all settled in in the apartment.  The movers came yesterday and left way too many boxes at our apartment...I am sure they were unloading other people's "stuff" but they insist it is all our "stuff!"  Movers! Someone must have gotten in our "stuff" and added "stuff", I do not remember this much "stuff!"  So far, though, I recognize all of the "stuff"...so maybe I did pack all of this "stuff."

PS.  Movers are WAY worth it!

Lesson 1...Car Insurance

So I call up the car insurance and find out where the closest agent is in Florida and call there to see how to get everything transferred from Indiana insurance to Florida insurance so that I can get my drivers license, license plates, etc.  The agent takes a look at what I have and waits a day to tell me the news...for the same insurance coverage with the same provider...(dramatic pause)...DOUBLE the price!  Shocked! 

After I pulled myself from the floor and did the whole hyperventilation thing (this is a dramatization of actual events), I learned from a former Floridan that many people have dirt cheap insurance that is called (I think) "no fault", meaning if you get in an accident both sides just pay for their side of the damage and can basically just drive away.  This is one possible reason that the insurance is double the price in Florida.  According to this ex-Floridian, it is a really bad idea to get "no fault" insurance, because you get what you pay for.  However, due to so many people getting "no fault" insurance, the insurance companies hike up the price for those customers that actually want, and pay, for full insurance.

In Indiana, our version of "no fault" would be the opposite, call "liability only" where we pay for the other person's damage but are responsible for our own vehicle out of pocket. 

My second theory developed from our recent apartment hunting trip to the area.  After traveling to the West Palm Beach area, I realized that Florida drivers are crazy!  More than once in that week we had close calls with people almost backing up into us, tricky three lane merging, and even a boat sitting in the middle of I-95 (a five lane interstate).  There are also two left-hand turn lanes so that the inside turn lane can do U-turns and the outside turn lane actually turns left.  This was all experienced in the "off season" (read as: "before the snow birds migrate from heaven knows where to Florida and drive even crazier"). 

I am not even sure if this insurance would cover hurricane damage, which I will have to ask the insurance agent when I am finally through giving him the silent treatment and decide to finally talk to him again to make a decision...I am a girl...this is sometimes how we punish people who tell us disappointing information and make us mad...even if it is not the fault of the messenger.

No matter the reason, I value my car.  So I will be one of those poor saps that actually pays for full insurance.

Lesson 1 is Car Insurance...be prepared to pay dearly.