Day 12 - continue;
Flicked the Sat nav to “use urban routes, avoid motorways” and set off to Fort Myers. [msnsmile2] We drove through some delightful small towns and villages that had more of a Caribbean feel to them. Would love to tell you where we were but honestly haven’t a clue![msnembarrased] I think we were around Cape Coral, Pine Island?? The houses were all painted bright pinks and blues and the telegraph poles on the way into town had been painted like totem poles, with gators and pictures of the wild life on them? Any ideas where I was anyone?? Would love to go back and visit!! [msncool]
Finally drove onto the causeway to Sanibel Island 4 O'clockish and found the chamber of commerce / tourist information. No other visitors around apart from us, the people in there were really helpful. I picked up loads of information on the Island, and they gave us a print out of all the accommodation that was available that night. They then told us that the West Wind Inn had just been on the phone to say they were doing a Walk In Rate of $169.00 per night (I later discovered it is usually $364!!!!!). [msnoo] The kind people from the Chamber phoned on ahead to let the Inn know we were on our way.
Driving around the island you can see all the shops and restaurants, but you can’t see the sea or beach, because the road is in the middle of the Island. We liked the look of the place but really hadn’t made that much judgement. Got to the Inn, looked very nice, receptionist were really chatty and asked us a bit about why we had come and if we had visited before - told them no but we were planning on retuning for a longer trip.[msnsmile] So they gave us the key to room 101, so we could go take a look before we decide. The main reception is facing the road with the blocks of room built at the back. Found the room, opened the door to a small kitchenette, beautiful bathroom, large spacious bedroom with patio door, opened the curtains……….there was the beach - OMG this only happens to other people, or in films - never us!![msncool]
Ran back to reception, paid - receptionist was laughing - knew we would take it, jumped in the car, back to the room, quick change and out the patio onto the beach. We felt like we had found a little bit of paradise.
Unfortunatly I've got visitors so can't finish - I'll try and get back later,
Sorry about that rude interruption,[msnembarrased] now where was I?? Oh yes, we had just discovered Sanibel beach. For those of you, like us, that haven’t been here before, the beaches are soft white sand, the sky is bright blue, the breeze is warm and the sea is the sun kissed gulf. - Simply heaven.[msncool] Both Sanibel and Captiva beaches are covered in literally tons of shells, washed ashore with each tide. You will notice on most beaches people collecting shells, we were even given shell collecting bags at reception, and the term for the bent over collecting is know as the Sanibel Stoop. However the removal of live shells is strictly forbidden to protect the ecology of the island.
So after a stroll up and down the beach, we headed back onto the island for dinner. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant but it had a fish counter in the middle of it, where you could buy fresh fish. Had an excellent meal of crab cakes, but couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel. So after another explore around the beach we went back to sit on the veranda, listening to the sounds of the waves and thoroughly enjoyed a bottle of wine purchased from the local store.
The next day, we were up and off back to the beach, we had the room until 11am, so spent the morning wa
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