Key West ?

[jlawall]

What is a not-to-be-missed attraction in KW? Last summer we went on the kayak tour and had a great time but I didn't feel like we saw KW enough....What do you recommend?

 

[traycie2201]

shirley , can you answer this one ?

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello Jlawall,
I believe I remembered when you wrote about going Kayaking in Key West cause I could remember Norm and I asking ourselves
"WHERE" -- being born in Key West and 4 generations, it is so hard for both Norm and I to imagine all the "stuff" that is offered down there - Now Key West is so full of history and if you get past the tourist stuff, you can find a lot to do and see - growing up in Key West was a paradise - we were cut off from the mainland and news filtered in very slowly - we ran on Key West time -------you stay off the main streets like Duval Street for one and start wandering around - you have people like Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, President Truman, Mel Fisher and this is only naming a few that loved and lived in Key West - Anyhow the best I can advise I can give you is I have packets that I share with those going to Key West - it gives you an insight to Key West so to what to see and what to do - Norm and I will be heading "home" sometime next month and I will be picking up a bunch more information, you are most welcomed to send for the packet - there is no strings attached and nope there isn't anything in it for me - I do it just so that you are familiar with my hometown - I am just about out of Key West information but once I get back, I will have new stuff - you have to be very aware of stuff in Key West - it does have it share of conning down - if there is a way to part our visitors from their $$$, they going to find a way to do it. Guess I am always preaching.
Anyhow just drop me a note if I can help.
Always
Shirley and Norm
2 ol' conchs

 

[jlawall]

Thx all, I sent you a note Shirley!

We kayaked around a mangrove island in a bay area and we really laughed alot last summer. Then walked around the shops near the ship. We never saw Margaritaville, Hemingway's house, etc. Also, I heard you could jet ski somewhere in the marina. Does anyone have that website? I saw it here awhile ago.

 

[appink]

jlawall, Shirley sent us a packet and it is jammed full of great things to do in Key West. You will get everything you need to know. I can't believe we leave in a little over 2 weeks.

Patti

 

[jlawall]

Thx again everyone! I just signed up for the jet ski tour. That should be fun!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Who did you sign up with for the jet ski tour? If it is Key Kat - speak to Shelly and just tell her you heard about her from me and she will give you conch rates. She is great and she does stand by her word.
Have fun.
Always
Shirley

ps - it appears you went out of Key West for the kayaking and went somewhere in the closer keys - it is still very pretty up in the keys

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Hi!

Shirley, I am still having so much fun looking through the Key West pamphlets you sent. Thanks again!

I was wondering if anyone has done the Ghost Tours in Key West (departs from 430 Duval St). The info was included in Shirley's packet. We are interested in this lantern-led evening tour, but it lasts about 90 minutes. That seems long to me. I am wondering about getting back to the ship on time. Don't want to cut it too close. Anyone who has done this or can supply more info?

Oh, and one more thing -- would the Key Lime Pie Bakery be the best bet for delicious key lime pie? Or are all key lime pies created equal on Key West? Suggestions welcome and appreciated.

Tink

 

[5by5]

Wow, I've been so busy I never even thought of that! I must have copious amounts of Key Lime pie!!

Shirley, please advise!!

5by5

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

One of the things that I really wanted to do was buy some KINO sandals. We arrived in port, disembarked and walked right over and found the shop. Well, it was sooooooo busy that I never even got glanced at and it was still 3-4 people deep all the way around the counter. At least I am tall and I was able to reach over some heads and grab a sandal to look at and feel!!!!! Really wish I could have bought some, but the natives were restless and weren't about to wait for over 15 minutes, so I gave up. We are going back in Oct. for a week, so I will get some then!

 

[jlawall]

Shirley,

I booked with Island Tours (I think) b/e they would allow my DD20 to drive a jet ski (with certification). I went on the KW website and obtained their info there. (I only have 2 weeks to go!)

 

[snelsonbrown]

Hello Jlawall - do me a favor - when you speak to them again ask them if they will give you conch rates - tell them who I am and related to Jerry Abreu from Reid Appliance on Flagler Avenue also that we are ol' conchs - they may go ahead and give you the conch rates if you tell them this - you get quite a savings - everybody knows my cousin Jerry and he has quite a high esteem down there - I know he won't mind - also the best Key Lime Pie I have had in Key West was at Jose Cantina on White Street - the second best which is closer to Mallory Square is Tree Top Restaurant which is right accross the street from Kino's - also know that Vinny from Touch of Gold is right there by Kino's and he will give you conch rates if you tell him I sent you to him - I have known Vinny and his brother Gary for years and they have always been so honest with anyone I send to them - also Jay from Adorable Looks is accross the way from Vinny and he is also bee there for years and also very honest - these are the few that I endorse simply because they have never been closed down due to dishonesty - I will repeat this again NOPE I DO NOT GET ANY KICKBACKS ETC FOR SUGGESTING THESE COMPANIES - I know that they will be good to those visiting my hometown - when I use them, I get conch rates which is one heck of a savings -
anyhow if I can help any further, just let me know.
Norm and I will be back in Key West in August - we hope to plan our trip there when the Magic is down there so if anyone has any questions, they can call us - besides we will be there to really show you what Key West is really like.
Till later
always
Shirley and Norm

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by snelsonbrown
... the best Key Lime Pie I have had in Key West was at Jose Cantina on White Street - the second best which is closer to Mallory Square is Tree Top Restaurant

Thanks, Shirley - I will draw lime green circles around those locations on the cool maps you sent in the packet. Jlawall, please do return from your fabulous cruise with key lime pie reviews. Have a tasty time in Key West.

Tink

 

[Serena6010]

Has anyone tried the Key Lime Pie from a shop called The Blond Giraffe? They were mentioned on a show on the Food Channel called Unwrapped. The Key Lime Pie on a Stick dipped in chocolate looked sooo good.

 

[snelsonbrown]

the blond Giraffe does have great Key Lime Pie also but if you want a real conch key lime then those are the two places I suggest - Jose Cantina is a restaurant located on White Street - if you are interested in hanging with the locals this is a good place - you want to really try something different - go to the corner of Southern and Grinnell Street and hang out at 5 Brothers - try some Bolitto's - it is a fritter that the conchs were raised on - it is better than anything you have ever tasted - also you will notice large shady trees covered in orange flowers - you feel like you are under a colorful umbrella - this large beautiful tree is called a Royal Poinciana - Graduations was always planned around when the Poinciana would bloom - it was a conch tradition - when you were walking toward the podium which was at the park and one of the flowers happened to drop into your cap, you would forever have the blessings of good luck and wealth - also if you are walking around in Key West and one happens to fall either on you or in front of you, you will also be blessed with good luck and wealth - conchs were raised with a great deal of "weird" thinking, but safe thinking BTW - another tidbit about Key West and the conchs.
Chat with ya later
Always
Shirley

 

[mmouse37]

Mrs. Fuzzmo.....you peaked my interest with Kino Sandals as I had never heard of them before so I checked them out online and found this website. They are very nice looking and it is an interesting concept on how they are made.

This is from their website....(All sandals are made from the remnants of large sheets of materials and leather scraps. This creates a variety of fashionable sandal styles made of different shades and textures. All sandals have a natural rubber sole.
KINO sandals are comfortable, durable, lightweight and very cool)

http://pcrdist.safeshopper.com/1/cat1.htm?788


MJ

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Originally posted by snelsonbrown
also you will notice large shady trees covered in orange flowers - you feel like you are under a colorful umbrella - this large beautiful tree is called a Royal Poinciana - Graduations was always planned around when the Poinciana would bloom - it was a conch tradition - when you were walking toward the podium which was at the park and one of the flowers happened to drop into your cap, you would forever have the blessings of good luck and wealth - also if you are walking around in Key West and one happens to fall either on you or in front of you, you will also be blessed with good luck and wealth - conchs were raised with a great deal of "weird" thinking, but safe thinking BTW - another tidbit about Key West and the conchs.

I enjoy your tidbits about Key West, Shirley. It sounds like you had an interesting life growing up there.

Tink

 

[jlawall]

Thx again Shirley, I'll try!

 

[WorknFires]

Has anyone taken the trails of Margaritaville walking tour?

Cheryl

 

[snelsonbrown]

Ok - just wanted to jump in an answer a few questions - Kino's sandels, for the money, are great - as I have mentioned many times - I still have my mom's - I wear them often and she has been gone over 25 years - as children, that was our "shoe" wear unless we were barefooted, which BTW was the foot wear of the conchs while growing up - I do recommend them highly and the styles have improved over the years - next GHOST TOURS - I have always heard about ghosts in Key West, but only at the Gato House located 2 doors from where I grew up - it is located on the corner of Virginia and White Street - it was a hospital during the 1800's and many soldiers died there - I am convinced being that I lived so close yep it was haunted but by friendly ghosts - as for "Robert" nope that is a hoax, but it does make quite a story - Robert was pulled from a truck 20 or so years ago and his "story" brings $$$$$ - as for the Hotel LaConcha - a lawyer did kill himself there, but never heard about his ghost until Key West started booming - Ghost tours is interesting in fact, I am thinking of going on it myself and of course Norm being a postman for 40 years is on the floor laughing, BUT he is going with me - will have to give you a report when we get back.
Now as for a Margaritaville tour - that is a new one to me - save your monies - I can send you all the information you would need to go on your own walk and you can take the time to rest when you want to and have a drink where you want to - remember Key West is only a 2 X 4 island - When Norm and I get ''home'' next month, we will bring a bunch of information and maps for you to just get a heads up on what to do and what not to do.
If you have any questions, just pick up the phone and call me or drop me a note.
Chat with ya later
always
Shirley