Our "quick nap" the night before turned into a deep sleep and we did not wake up until this morning. So we missed touring Lima entirely and our memories are limited to the views from the taxi window. At least I am finally starting to feel better.

We flew from Lima to Miami, Fl, today and then rented a car and drove to Fort Lauderdale, where we are staying at the Marriott nearby the airport. Tomorrow morning we fly home to Virginia from here.

In some ways (the getting sick part) this has been the worst vacation of my life. We missed most of the sights in Cuzco as well as Lima because I was sick and I didn't really get to fully enjoy the tour on Sunday for the same reason. At least I was feeling great during the first two days which enabled me to really enjoy Machu Picchu. Next time we come to Peru I will be careful not to pack our itinerary so tightly (so much travel in so few days probably exacerbated my sickness) and I will remember NOT TO EAT FROM STREET VENDORS!!!

Here's to Peru. Cheers!

This place has a great location but lacks a good continental breakfast. Travelodge has free wifi, swimming pool and all the basic amenities a hotel has. Its not a 'great' hotel but with the corporate discount I got, it was worth it! Across the street is a McDonalds and bunch of other stores, right by the beach.

Talk about waking up with the taste of nasty tequila in your mouth...technically I havent really slept yet!!

This being my first TB meet in sunny lovely Florida, now I'm one of those people that can brag now, yep I went there : )

I wont give play-by-plays, I'm sure there will be a dozen more of these tales...

What I can say I got to finally see Miami and I liked it alot! And wish my stay was longer, very !

Frank- You're a great salsa partner! I knew you could do it!

Jenna- I was very happy to get to hang out with you on shopping adventures

Ashley- like i said, you're organized meet was a sucessful and put a lot of effort in making sure things went smoothly. Sorry bout that jager-bomb : )

Al- you're one cool cat, I want to come back to Miami soon!!!

Drea- It was awesome meeting ya and hope your half year journey through Asia is kick-ass!

The Guy who laughs alot.... maybe you should come up with more NASA jokes : )

I cant remember everybody else names, im sorry dont take it personal, im jus bad wit remembering names!!

And all the the other people I did not talk to as much because you were on the other end of the table, sorry but if you hung out later with us..the meet up was VERY FUN!!

PS...will add photos later, but i wont be the first tho...: ) im jus interested to see what everyone else has!

This is a great Hotel bit expensive though, specially for those who are travelling from the Aisian countries, this Hotel in bit expensive. I stayed there for 10 days. Facilities and location are superb, with lots of yatches and launces. I was really facinted by the beautiful launces anchored beside the hotel. For those who are having their own yatches this is a great place to anchor and get all there services from the Hotel. Also for those who are going for large meetings and conventions this is an ideal place, where the fort Lauderdale convention center is just next to the hotel within working distance, three minutes onley. This is failry nice and clean hotel although it is three stars, the hotel delives five star services.

Fort Lauderdale, known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive and intricate canal system, is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. According to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 183,606. It is the county seat of Broward County, and a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which is home to over 5,413,212 people.

The city is a popular tourist destination, with 10.35 million visitors in 2006. The city is a major yachting center, with 42,000 resident yachts and 100 marinas and boatyards. Fort Lauderdale and its suburbs host over 4100 restaurants and 120 nightclubs.

Fort Lauderdale is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the Second Seminole War. However, development of the city did not begin until 50 years after the forts were abandoned at the end of the conflict. Three forts named "Fort Lauderdale" were constructed; the first was at the fork of the New River, the second at Tarpon Bend, in what is now known as the Sailboat Bend neighborhood, and the third near the site of the Bahia Mar Marina. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort.

According to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fort Lauderdale is "America's top gay resort area." In 2006, members of gay-interest site, PlanetOut, named the city as the "best gay resort town"; the city actively pursues gay and lesbian tourists. The city is also home to a large year-round population of gay residents. The city's Stonewall Library & Archives is the largest-circulation LGBT library in the southeastern United States. Neighboring Wilton Manors was the second city in the country (after West Hollywood, California) to elect a gay-majority city council.

As is true of many parts of Florida, the city's population has a strong seasonal variation, as snowbirds from the north spend the winter and early spring in Florida. The city is also sometimes referred to as "Fort Liquordale" because of its beaches, bars, nightclubs, and history as a spring break mecca for hundreds of thousands of college students. However, the city has actively discouraged college students from visiting the area since the mid-1980s, passing strict laws aimed at preventing the mayhem that regularly occurred each year. The city had an estimated 350,000 college visitors for spring break 1985; by 2006, that number had declined to about 10,000.

Fort Lauderdale's arts and entertainment district runs east-west along Las Olas Boulevard, from the beach to the heart of downtown. The district is anchored in the West by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and runs through the city to the intersection of Las Olas and A1A. This intersection is the "ground zero" of Fort Lauderdale Beach, and is the site of the "Elbo Room" bar featured in the 1960 film Where the Boys Are, which led in large measure to the city's former reputation as a spring break mecca. The city and its suburbs host over 4,100 restaurants and over 120 nightclubs, many of them in the arts and entertainment district. The city is also the setting for the 1986 movie Flight of the Navigator, and host of Langerad, an annual music festival

I couldn't wait to sit on the rocking chairs on the sprawling porch and look out at the ocean. The very first night we sat on the porch, we saw 3 rats run from the front chairs to the couches near the wall. I spoke with the front desk and the man told me it was because of the food served on the veranda. The 2nd night, it was just moments before we saw a rat. Again, the front desk dismissed this and said they would call their exterminator, Orkin. On the 3rd night, I screamed and people were looking at me. My son was trying to photograph the rats. Every time I walked back into that hotel, I thought of rats! It is not hard to imagine them in the restaurants and throughout the hotel. It was like being transported from a beautiful place to a dirty subway with rats. I was mortified and the hotel staff did not seemed concerned about these common health issues. Worst traveling experience of my life.

5am       Wake up, shower, pack last few items
5:45am Get puppies in the car with the luggage an head for my mothers house
6:10am Arrive at my mothers, get her and her luggage in my car, leave puppies with sister, depart by 6:45am
7am      Get to airport
8:45am Flight leaves
2:02pm Arrive in Houston
4pm      Depart Houston
7:32pm Arrive in Fort Lauderdale

We then got picked up and brought to our hotel. We lounged in the jacuzzi and then went to bed. Thankfully we didnt have to be at the airport again until noon the latest !

check into hotel, sleep!

A good friend of mine was getting married in Ft. Lauderdale and we decided to have the Bachelorette party here, which was just the perfect choice! We were 10 girls, everyone came from a different place inside and outside the USA. We got a good deal with the price, since we booked 5 rooms as a group. The hotel is great, well it's not on the beach, but who will complain if you have everything what you need under the same roof or walking distance? You don't need to go far to have fun. The surrounding neighborhood is cool! full of clubs and party time! This hotel has got everything! Great restaurants, nightclubs, casino and a hot pool. Nightlife is super for everyone. The rooms were clean, neat and spacious. The beds were 1st rate for sleeping, really comfortable. We went to one of the clubs to party, but had our pre-party in one of the spacious rooms. The lighting and sound-system was really cool, you can bring your own CDs if you like. There were chairs and tables, haha. The closet is free-standing and very spacious too. And as spacious as the room was the bathroom. Double vanity, soaking tub + a giant shower. Perfect to recover after a long night partying, hehe. The lobby has a ton of rock & roll memorabilia. It looks so cool! The pool is really beautiful too. Although it's a big and busy hotel, you will always find a free elevator :) The service was great and the staff really helpful. Definitely a good choice for a party weekend!

Completely agree with Bigmig. IF you dont want to spend a thousand dollars at South Beach or the hard rock. This is definetly your place to go. Still can be a little pricey but pennies compared to most other places.

I know what you are thinking. There are no mountains in Florida. However, there are some man made mountain biking trails in Markham park that I guarantee will not dissapoint anybody. Just a little warning, Most of the trails are extremely difficult and are NOT for beginners. However, if you are a expereinced moutain biker, I highly recommend checkin these trails out. I guarantee you will not be bored. The park is located about 20 minutes west of the beach so if you do not have a car or a friend a taxi might be a little expensive. But the cost of entering the park is free and the trails are insane!!!

Zona Fresca is one of my favorite places to grab a quick meal in Fort Lauderdale. Unlike most fast food chains, Zona has healthy, fresh foods - made right when you order them. I have almost tried everything on the menu and it has all been delicious but my favorites are the steak quesadilla, tostada salad with steak and pinto beans, and the shrimp burrito. Meals come with chips and there is a salsa bar featuring mild through hot salsas, including a green tomatillo sauce. On Fridays and Saturdays they serve ceviche, which is excellent and definately worth trying! They also serve beer and sodas and a range of sodas. For a full meal you will spend $6-10 USD. Rarely will you find this place empty because it is THAT good! If you want to avoid the lines, you can call ahead and order and pick your food up also.

hey well i am bored off my ass in Fort Lauderdale,FL airport. this is boring as hell everything is as expesive as hell when you are hungry. so what do you do. oh well i will wait till i head to Georgia. but it was really nice to hear Jens voice yet again today. god i miss her and everyone else. 

Our travels started with the rental car in Tampa and an entertaining four-hour ride to Fort Lauderdale Florida. Once in FLL we decided to relax at the hotel for the evening given the early start we would have in the morning. Saturday April 12 we boarded the Carnival Liberty at Port Everglades, which I must say is the best port I have traveled out of. The embarkation process was quick and very efficient; we were on the ship within minutes. The Carnival Liberty is based on artesian artistry and the liberty to express this art, the ship is very colorful and has a large chandler with many colors. Within the promenade deck of the ship smaller chandlers are located which change colors ever so often. The ship provided some great entertainment, food and a large screen on the lido deck.

Left behind the fleshpots of Miami and wandering around beautiful Fort Lauderdale. I don't really have the time for languid strolls along the streets, and there's so many things to do in Fort Lauderdale, but I'm trying to make the most of it. On the to-do list are the Old Fort Lauderdale Village & Museum, Bonnet House & Gardens, Stranahan house and maybe a bit of shopping and dining in the evening.

I've already visited the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and the Museum of Discovery & Science, and both are really something worth visiting. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is kinda like a snapshot of how Florida must have looked in centuries past. There's a mangrove swamp, walking trails, freshwater lagoons and the beach area is really neat. The riverboat cruise up the New River was also quite exciting, ending up in the JungleQueen Indian village. The best part is that the park offers the best of both fresh water and deep sea activities. You can take canoes for rent, or go salt water fishing.

The Museum of Discovery & Science has a mind-numbing array of exhibitions and exotic animals like a shark, a 12 foot snake and iguanas. There's a space simulator where you can make believe like you're on Mars, a la Arnold in Total Recall. But inspite of all these dazzling attractions, the kicker at the Museum is the 5 story tall film screen at the AutoNation IMAX ® Theater. Awesome!

If the rest of the attractions in Fort Lauderdale are as good as what I've seen so far, I'm afraid it's going to put a dent in my schedule. But then, what's new?

Because Fort Lauderdale is called "The Venice of America" it is great to be able to get out and explore the waterways by kayak! Atlantic Coast Kayak Company offers inexpensive rentals and guided tours so you get to see a side of Florida that many people do not. You can rent tandem kayaks for $22 per hour or singles for $14 an hour. They also offer half day rates. Lifejackets are required and provided. We went to the launching point at Richardson Historic Park in Wilton Manors, FL and just rented a kayak for an hour to get a feel for it. I guess it is common to see manatees but we were not lucky enough to see any that day! We did see lots of iguanas sitting by the waterside. The area we were was mostly residential so it is calm and quiet. There are also several parks along the waterway loop so you could stop and have lunch or just explore! It is a fun and relaxing (but kind of strenuous) activity. From this park the kayaks are only available on the weekends but if you check out the website they offer all kinds of guided eco tours that are more frequent.