TO UNDERSTAND KEY WEST IS TO LOVE KEY WEST!

by Marlene Graham

Author of Headfirst Into America (Amazon Books) and featured as a travel writer on TODAY (interviewed by Al Roker), CNN, OPRAH (interviewed by Oprah), DONNY & MARIE, HOME AND FAMILY, NPR, THE VIEW (interviewed by Barbara Walters), LADIES HOME JOURNAL, MIAMI HERALD, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, NAPLES NEWS, N MAGAZINE and hundreds more media outlets in the United States and around the world.

Owner of: www.NaplesTouristCenter.com, www.BonitaTouristCenter.com, www.EsteroTouristcenter.com, www.MarcoTouristCenter.com, www.PineIslandTouristCenter.com, www.NaplesHomeFinders.com, and many more sites.

I have to admit that the first time I went to Key West I was not so impressed. I was getting off a cruise ship with a mass of humanity; we didn't have much time; and while I enjoyed it because I was in my 20s and I wanted to hit the bars, I left with the impression, been there done that. Might want to do that again in ten years or so.

But now that I have gotten to know Key West beyond Duval Street, I realize the deep history of this town, its resistance to change, and the fact that it truly is the "Caribbean island in America."

Several years back I visited a wonderful, quaint island in the Abacos called Green Turtle Cay (pronounced "Key".) It was only 3 miles by 1 mile and now I realize that is where much of Key West came from. These are in many ways twin communities, extensions of one another. When the sponge industry in Green Turtle Cay went down the tubes, desperate people rolled their little houses onto boats and headed over to their new Conch Republic in America. It is interesting that both locations have a park filled with busts of early Abacos settlers, some of whom later became Key West settlers. We saw many of the same people in both venues.

True when you first see the shacks and the chickens walking around, the typical American is taken aback. But once you realize you are looking at history, a different way of life semi-preserved and now merged with people who wanted a more laid back, less ostentatious lifestyle: drifters, writers, ex-hippies, regular retirees and wealthy upper-crust (okay, so they may be a bit ostentatious), you realize the uniqueness of this locale. Just about every facet is represented in all their glory.

Since I have so many websites, it will take a while to develop this out to be equivalent to other of my sites such as www.naplestouristcenter.com. However, I want to be able to answer your questions if you do not find what you are looking for on this site.

However I do want to tell you that assuming you are on the west coast of Florida where I am, In my own personal opinion, the ONLY way to get to Key West is on the KeyWest Express. I've gone out of both Ft. Myers and Marco Island, but I have to say it is a great way to get there. Just jump on board and leave the driving to them! You can go back and forth in one day. However, you should spend at least one night in Key West. The only downside with being on the Key West Express is if the weather is bad and you HAVE to get back, then you will have to drive. That only happened to me once. Otherwise you can eat and drink and not worry about the driving which I think is a huge benefit. In fact, I give out brochures to the Key West Express at my office on 539 5th Avenue South! Their website is www.keywestexpress.us.

I am putting some links below regarding places for which I have personal experience and on which I will comment and give you my personal experiences in their regard in the future. (Scroll to bottom)

As you can see this site is a work in progress. To the right I will list businesses in Key West, whether or not I have had personal experiences with them, and if you want to share your personal experiences with me -- good or bad -- I will try to make room for those, but please be honest. Don't be overly gushy if you are involved with the company and don't be mean if you are a competitor : ) . We all have to help each other out in this economy.

Also if you have a question about Key West that you cannot find on this site, please feel free to email me at marlenegraham@earthlink.net. If I don't know the answer, I will find someone for you who does.

Thanks! And enjoy Key West!

RESTAURANTS

Blue Heaven, Key West http://www.blueheavenkw.com/

Turtle Kraals http://www.turtlekraals.com/

HOTELS

Westin Key West http://www.westinkeywestresort.com/

Doubletree Grand Key Doubletree Resort in Key West

BARS

Irish Kevins http://www.irishkevins.com/

Sloppy Joes http://www.sloppyjoes.com/

ON THE WATER

Barefoot Billy's Jet Ski Tour at the Reach Resort: http://www.reachwatersports.com