SANIBEL ISLAND, PINE ISLAND, welcome to Paradise. Sanibel Island is to Fort Myers what Key West is to Miami. Take a ride over Sanibel Bridge and in a matter of minutes you’ll find yourself in on a paradise island just a few miles from Florida. --Sanibel island est à Fort Myers ce que key West est à Miami , une ile paradisiaque éloignée de quelques miles seulement de la Terre Floridienne par le Sanibel Bridge que vous franchirez en quelques minutes pour vous retrouver dans un autre monde.
T
he island atmosphere takes over as soon as you arrive on Sanibel: little single lane roads, Caribbeanstyle doll’s houses, island shops, restaurants and small supermarkets. Then there’s the service station where the pump attendant fills your car up like in the old days and looks for your hotel in the directory when you get lost! You’ll have to pinch yourself… Our hotel wasn’t that far away; just along the beach and there was Casa Ybel, one of the nicest spots on the island with 1-2 room suites and seafront terrace. The colonial architecture and dove grey hue hark back to the Hamptons near New York whilst you’re guaranteed good times at the lively pool and cocktail bar. But the best time of day is morning when the sea pulls back to unveil thousands of shells glittering on the beach beneath walkers’ feet and dozens of birds enjoying their banquet. You can’t imagine how untouched and unspoilt the island’s flora and fauna is and you should visit the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge to see migratory birds and crocodiles at home in the USA’s largest mangrove! Don’t miss the Seashell Museum and Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, two more symbols of how the dream location of Sanibel Island is uniquely protected. Next up, you can drive or sail to Pine Island, an even wilder island where fishing boats abound especially in front of the private port Tarpon Lodge, the only real 4* establishment on the island. Walk through the entrance into a sophisticated Anglo-American atmosphere with no ostentatious features but true understated luxury: century old wood, waxed floors, pictures and trophies that reflect the love of fishing and the sea. With a dozen ultra cosy rooms and fantastic views, it’s so peaceful here that you can watch time go by. Have breakfast and dinner in the 1926 historic lodge in the heart of the hotel with its cocktail bar and unique, sophisticated atmosphere. Stroll through the park and read a book alone with the sea and little boats returning to the port. Take a trip on the water and visit the many surrounding islands. Be sure to talk to Robert the hotel boss: he’s the best person for advice as he
knows the area like the back of his hand and may take you out on his boat for a fairytale visit. A visit to the only crab restaurant on the islands is worth a detour in itself! It’s a real treat and a moment of pure joy when you’re in the area! Lee County is also just a few miles from Fort Myers, its beaches and museums including one of the most magical: the Edison Museum where you can see hundreds of inventions which changed the world by one of the most important men of the 19th century who created the lamp and cinema. There’s also a museum devoted to the car inventor Henry Ford and his famous Ford T, without which today’s cars would be very different. You can also visit the two great men and best friends’ houses next door to each other and picture them putting the world to rights on the veranda with Mr Firestone! If only for that, you can’t miss out on spending the day on Cleveland Avenue. A few minutes away, the Art of the Olympians Museum is also worth a visit to see masterpieces by Olympic champions in all disciplines that have become artists and show their work here. You may be fortunate enough to see the museum’s director, himself an artist, the famous Bob Beamon, Olympic hero and world record holder at Mexico 68! Failing that, you can see a poster of the 2m tall star and his incredible jump in the entrance hall. Florida’s many golf courses have pride of place. The 18 hole Raptor Bay Golf Club designed by Raymond Floyd is the perfect accompaniment to the surrounding endless nature close to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, one of the region’s most beautiful hotels, with a presidential penthouse suite and unique views from the top floor. The Dunes Golf Club on Sanibel Island is nestled amongst lots of little lakes and the course is incredible with little crocodiles that sometimes poke their head out of the water to put you off your round! This great course may be too easy for top players.
-212-
BY MARC ROUGEMOND