Visiting Fort Myers, Florida was an experience I will never forget. I was looking for a fun and relaxing vacation and Fort Myers delivered just that. The first thing I did when I arrived was go to the beach. The white sandy beach and crystal clear waters were really nice. We spent hours sunbathing, swimming in the sea, and trying our hand at paddle boarding. The beach was the perfect place to relax and forget the stress of life.
The Lighthouse at Sanibel Island
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the lighthouse on Sanibel Island. The Lighthouse is a lighthouse of history and natural beauty. Visiting the area, I was immediately drawn to this iconic architecture and its scenic surroundings. As we approached the lighthouse, we couldn’t help but be in awe. Built in 1884, the lighthouse stands majestically against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico. We happened to meet a young couple from New York, Angela and Pedro so we made a couple’s event out of it.
The white and red stripes of the lighthouse were a familiar sight on the island and made me feel like I was stepping back in time. I decided to climb to the top of the lighthouse and from there I had an amazing panoramic view of Sanibel Island. The view was breathtaking and I could see for miles in the distance. The view of the sea, islands and surrounding mangroves from the top of the lighthouse was beautiful. We also saw dolphins and manatees swimming in the distance. The lighthouse is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and was a great opportunity to see native wildlife. Not to mention, we saw several species of birds and spotted a few small lizards.
The Sanibel Island Lighthouse is not just a beautiful building, it is steeped in history. Not only did I learn that the lighthouse was built to allow ships to enter the port safely but also plays an important role in the development of the island. Besides, we also learned about the lighthouse keepers who lived and worked there and how they were an integral part of the island community.
After the Lighthouse We Got Hungry
The Lighthouse Cafe, a restaurant near the lighthouse on Sanibel Island, and it was a truly unforgettable experience. The restaurant was a short walk from the lighthouse and offered the perfect blend of delicious food and stunning views. Upon arriving at Lighthouse Cafe, we were greeted by friendly staff and the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. We chose to sit outside on the patio with views of the lighthouse and the Gulf of Mexico. The patio is surrounded by lush tropical greenery and was the perfect place to enjoy our meal.
For my meal, I chose the catch of the day, sea bream with lemon butter sauce. It was cooked perfectly and the flavor was amazing. Pedro and Angie ordered the nacho plate fully loaded. It actually looked really yummy. We also enjoyed the grilled vegetables which were fresh and perfectly seasoned. Our waiter was Anthony and he truly earned his tip. He recommended we try “sex on the beach” cocktail to wash our meal down. It was the perfect drink for a hot day.
“Our waiter was Anthony and he truly earned his tip. He recommended we try “sex on the beach” cocktail to wash our meal down. It was the perfect drink for a hot day.”
Another highlight of my trip was a boat tour on the Caloosahachee River. It was so peaceful being on the water as we saw many different types of wildlife and birds. Our guide Miguel, was also very knowledgeable and gave us lots of information about the history of the area. The dolphins happened to greet us with their serenade and Miguel suggested that our group must be special since the dolphins don’t normally give a show. This was more then worth it since I’ve never seen a dolphin up close.
I personally really needed to unwind and the trip was beyond relaxing and unexpectedly enjoyable. We were all ecstatic about the choices of entertainment we chose since they were easy on the wallet but provided a memorable experience. Pedro and Angie are going to join us on the next trip later this summer cause they apparently had more fun then we did. I can’t wait. It never ceases to amaze me about the types of people one can meet on trips and form lifelong friendships. So cool!!
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Rotem the OllieM contributor and long time globe trotter
