Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Little Palm Island - A Little Slice of Heaven on Earth
Ever hear the expression “Heaven On Earth” and wonder where that place is and what it would look like, smell like and taste like? Well, my boyfriend, Joel, surprised me with a fabulously romantic getaway a few months ago and I now know where that place is….
It’s called Little Palm Island.
It is located just two hours south of hectic Miami in Little Torch Key at Mile Marker 28.5. Once you arrive at the Welcome Station, you are greeted by a friendly smiling attendant and are given a delicious cold rum punch to relax you and begin your carefree heavenly adventure. You do not lug your luggage from that point on until you arrive at your home. While sipping on your fruity libation, you await the motor yacht shuttle to whisk you off from the mainland of Little Torch Key to the beauty of Little Palm Island. The watery transport from the Key to Little Palm Island is a beautifully scenic 15 minute ride where you begin to smell the refreshing Atlantic Ocean and your stress and worries start melting away and you look forward to a carefree couple days of just being, enjoying nature and the person that you are with.
When we disembarked from the shuttle, we were once again greeted by a very relaxed soft spoken attendant who showed us the amenities of the Island and to our bungalow which had our name on it. We then knew we were at our Island home and settled in for a few very relaxing loving days.
There are only 30 bungalows on the island so each guest is treated with personalized service. Joel and I swam in the clear cool pool which was just steps away from the ocean, lay in the comfortable beach loungers and hammocks which were literally at the ocean’s edge, took a “Boston Whaler” at no charge and cruised around the island and took beautiful photos. The personnel at the marina were very knowledgeable and helpful about the fishing off the Island’s pier. Having not fished in years and rediscovering my love for the water and fishing, I asked Gavin, the marina attendant, the hook us up with fishing poles and bait. Since Joel had never fished, I thought that it would be fun to share that experience.
Enjoying Little Palm’s Island’s serene beach area.
Gavin showed us a great spot to fish and we baited our hooks with shrimp, dropped the line in the ocean and started fishing. Before long, we each caught about five or six different varieties of fish, including yellowtail and snapper, all too small to take back to the Island’s chef to cook for us for dinner but this was a great experience that we shared together… I think we will start fishing to relax and take in the fresh air… It was so much fun.
Look, I caught a small fish with Gavin’s help. My very first catch on Little Palm Island. Not big enough to eat…. Released the fish.
Oh, did I mention the Island’s only full-time residents? The Key Deer. The Deer are friendly and roam around the island ever so graciously waiting for its guests to feed them leaves and flowers. While we were relaxing at the beach, our two Key Deer had a different idea and did not want the day’s boring foliage. They went right for our Pina Coladas. I guess they were thirsty.
Feeding my new friend, the Key Deer, flowers….. must be lunch time on Little Palm Island for the Deer… Yummy.
The Key Deer loved the fruity drinks and stole a pineapple from Joel’s drink. Smart Deer.
My recommendations for things to do at Little Palm Island:
1. Enjoy the island’s water sports … kayaks, paddle boards and small motorized boats are free… enjoy them. The ocean is serene and great photo ops.
2. Take a sea plane ride
3. Enjoy the spa. Book a relaxing massage
4. Go fishing…. It’s fun and something completely out of the ordinary for you and if you catch a good-sized fish, the chef will cook it for you … you’ve actually caught your own dinner. Yummy.
5. Swim in the cool clear pool with a drink at the pool’s edge.
6. Read a book while lying in a hammock and dangling your toes in the ocean.
7. Sit by the fire place at night and gaze out into the moonlit ocean. You’ll see the moon in a whole different light.
8. Enjoy the Island’s band and dance at the Sandbar Sessions right off the dinning room.
Our view of the sunset while dining on the sand. Gorgeous!
I think that Little Palm Island is a superb place to get away for a loving relaxing vacation to start a new romance and rekindle one. There are no tvs or cell phones on the island. Use your creative imagination. Enjoy and relax…..
Joel and I had the best romantic getaway. We thank the staff of Little Palm Island for making it happen…..Oh, yeah, thanks Joel for the greatest romantic weekend.
Dinner at the Island is scrumptous. You literally sit on the sand with soft eluminating torch lights near a soothing fire pit that spews yellow and red embers while gazing at the serene ocean under a gorgeous moonlight as you dine on the day’s freshest catch. The best dinner that I’ve ever had.
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