Fort Lauderdale's myriad charms focus on love of the natural world

AMID CITY LIFE, BUILDINGS AND BUSTLE, FLORIDA'S UNIQUE WILDLIFE THRIVES IN BIRD PARKS, EVERGLADES AND HISTORIC HOUSE

Flamingos frolic and show their lovely pastel coral shades during a recent visit to Fort Lauderdale.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

Flamingos share the spotlight with this peacock at Flamingo Park. 

THREE THOUSAND years ago, the Tequesta Indians fished the winding intracoastal waterways of Fort Lauderdale, probably enjoying the beauty of the waterlilies and living off the bounty of the agricultural land the waters nourished.
Perhaps they glided on their kayaks past flamingos and peacocks. Maybe they harvested or tangled with a fresh-water crocodile or two!
They could have enjoyed the friendly presence of the manatee, who still gives birth in the waters that are now part of Fort Lauderdale.

Hyatt Pier 66 is a landmark in Fort Lauderdale, with easy water access.

OUR BASE for a four-day sight seeing extravaganza was the lovely Hyatt Regency Pier 66,   which gives new meaning to "room with a view."  This elegant hotel in Fort Lauderdale is world renowned for dazzling views, resort-style amenities, enticing dining venues and on-site activities. We also love it because it's on the Water Taxi route we've written about.  It offers its own oasis, set amid 22 acres of gorgeous landscaping flanked with dozens of royal palms and a huge, Disneyland-style chess set.

The Flamingo Sanctuary provides sanctuary for  Yosh
and Shula Wickman, left, Cookie and Keller, right.

THE HYATT'S WORLD-class marina provides the ideal getaway in the yachting capital of the world and we sampled several of its five restaurants.
We were just a quick cab ride to Flamingo Gardens Botanical Collection and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary, where we spent a relaxing day with friends who'd flown from Israel the week before. The lovely Botanical Gardens are a showcase for over 3,000 species of rare and exotic, tropical, subtropical and native plants. The Arboretum contains some of the largest trees in the state of Florida.

Hyatt Pier 66 offers dining, rooms
with gorgeous views.

Florida's moist, warm climate provides an abundance of  lovely flowers.

WE ENJOYED a ride in a small open-air trolley that took us around the gardens, under imposing banyan trees and through carefully tended groupings of various Florida flowers. Then it was time for the wildlife lecture and show, featuring an on-site naturalist who introduced us to several critters in stages of rehabilitation.  This was a wonderful half hour, enjoyed by families whose children were attentive as the owl, raccoon, snake and others were shown and discussed to their wonderment.

THE 60-ACRE Flamingo Gardens is a showcase for over 3,000 species of rare and exotic, tropical, subtropical, and native plants. The Arboretum through which we drove boasts some of the largest trees in the state of Florida. The Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary within the expanse gives residence to permanently injured and non-releasable birds and animals, and is home to the largest collection of Florida native wildlife- including alligators, bear, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, peacocks and flamingos.

The crocodile, directly above,
 and the alligator, above him,
 co-exist in southern Florida.

Birds are part of the wonderful
landscape at the Flamingo Gardens.

  THE EVERGLADES Wildlife Sanctuary gives residence to permanently injured and non-releasable birds and animals, and is home to the largest collection of Florida native wildlife- including alligators, bear, bobcats, eagles, otters, panthers, peacocks and flamingos. You will also want to dip over to the Florida Everglades with its complex eco-system. Its myriad rivers, canals and lakes range from the Florida panhandle to South Florida, and several tours from Fort Lauderdale will take you there.

THE UNUSUAL merging of salt and freshwater is the only location in America where both alligators and crocodiles live together!  You can take an airboat trip in the Everglades, and see an alligator wrestling demonstration -- free with your airboat ticket.
Big husky fellas looking like extras in "Deliverance" wrestle down the gators, with techniques they supposedly learned from the Seminole Indians.

Artist Frederic Clay Bartlett designed  the unique home.

UP NEXT:  We take you to the extraordinary artistic wonders of Fort Lauderdale's Bonnet House, with its gorgeous gardens and art galleries.  The 1920 home and acreage sit in the middle of  Fort Lauderdale, a soothing surprise much like a country estate, right in the middle of a bustling city, and nestled below a skyline of condos and mansions.  We're all about exploration, adventure and learning, always with a sense of fun. Remember to explore, learn and live, and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com