Naples Zoo

Believe it or not, we actually did see animals other than the honey badgers at the Naples Zoo. It’s not as expansive as the San Diego Zoo, but there were more animals than you’d expect to see in November. Thank goodness for that year-round Florida sunshine.

While we were there, we met an employee who was from the same podunk town in Maryland where Ayk and I grew up. The employee said he wished he still lived there. Huh? I’d take beaches over chicken fields any day. He resented Naples since riding motorcycles, his pastime, was a hazard in geriatric central. That and he moved when he was 14, so he only has fond memories. Nostalgia is a bitch.

African Grey Parrot. This bird has the intelligence of a 3-year-old human. And this blog is above political jokes.

Rawr! Fear the Turtle.

Three words come to mind when I think of zebras: Fruit.Stripe. Gum. Have fun getting that earworm out of your head.

Hey there, pretty bird

Flock of feathered friends

Worst. Job. Ever.

On second thought, feeding this guy has got to be worse.

Ungulates chilling

More ungulates

Lazy leopard 

Someone could use a snuggle buddy.

So close!

Oh that’s lovely.

Horny tree

Try hugging this tree, hippies.

Monkey Island

Fun fact: Monkeys don’t swim. They see water as a natural barrier, so this zoo nixed the tradition fenced-in approach. Almost makes you less guilty about viewing caged-in animals for amusement. Almost.

Yeah, I do 20 reps of muscle ups three times a day. Big whoop, wanna fight about it?

Whatcha doing?

Just hanging out.

Ready…

Set…

Leaping lemur!

Can’t forget this little guy.

But I did forget to upload this honey badger picture last time.

And this one. Cuteness overload.

Naples: Honey badgers!!

As I previously said, Ayk lucked out with his new job, which sends him all over the place. And since I work from home, I usually join him. I work when he works, and I take off time when he takes off time. It works beautifully.

Our first work trip together was in November 2012. Ayk’s job had an annual conference in Bonita Springs, Florida, just south of Naples. Of course I was excited to go see the beaches when it was winter in Maryland, but that’s not the main reason I was so giddy for that trip.

Remember how heartbroken I was after I couldn’t see the honey badger at the San Diego Zoo? I said I would see them, and see them I did. Not far from Ayk’s conference was the Naples Zoo, which is home to three adorable (yes, adorable) honey badgers.

When Ayk surprised me with the good news, I had a near Kristin Bell sloth meltdown. I managed to hold back the water works, since we were at a restaurant at the time. I actually did get a little choked up when I saw them in real life. Ha, like those ferocious beasts would care enough to pass the Kleenex.

Wrestling and running around—it’s what they do. It was tricky getting a non-blurry shot. They looked like speedy skunks from a distance.

Eating everything in sight is their favorite pastime.

Lunchtime! Just kidding. This venomous treat was just a few exhibits over.

Sure they’re ferocious, but they’re so adorable when they want to be. The darker coat one is the male; the other two are females.

Helplessly pawing for the honey coated nuts. Squee! I die.

They’re just begging for a cuddle buddy... until you remember their razor sharp claws can shred you if you pet them. They don’t care. Speaking of, the guy who made the honey badger don't care viral video actually made a video for the Naples Zoo, at his insistence. The zookeeper said his sassy voice isn't how he talks in real life. Bummer.

Scheming her escape, most likely. Before they were sent to the Naples, this trio was featured in a Utah zoo, where they broke out a few times. Here there’s a layer of concrete below the dirt. Let’s see if that’ll contain them.

Squint and you can see a badger hanging around/ attempting an escape in the little fenced off den.

A day or two before we got there, the honey badger keeper (aka my dream job) put a palm tree for them to claw at. They dug out the entire inside in one afternoon.

Wait, is it clawing its way out?

Nope, just tuckered out from all the running. Aww! The black pulp you see next to the tree is what they clawed out. Crazy critters.

Group shot with the honey badger from a safe distance.

And a close up, just in case.

We got a video (actually lots of videos) of the honey badgers running around, wrestling, and eating. Apologies in advance for this super sucky camera quality. The gears make an annoying noise whenever I zoomed in or out. Just ignore it and listen to the squee-inducing grunts.

Key West: Hemingway House

As a Spanish major, I was required to love Hemingway.  Hell, I’d still love his work even if I had no interest in the Spanish culture.  I could drone on about how great his work is, but you’re here to read my writing.  Yes, a travel blog really does compare to a Noble Laureate’s masterpieces.  Whether you’re a huge fan or you’ve simply heard of him, it’s well worth the visit.  Be sure to go on a guided tour, otherwise you’ll miss out on all the great stories.


Speaking of which, there will be a lot of pictures featured in this post that will be somewhat esoteric.  You'll just have to go to Hemingway's house to listen to them yourself.  Or you can always ask us in person.

One of the many lavish chandeliers bought by his second wife.

The 40 some-odd cats, descendants from one that was a gift from a sailing buddy, are the second biggest expense at the historic house.  It looks like I caught this cat in a transient mid-stretch, but my camera was not that fast.  He’s a ham and kept that pose for a few good minutes.  That’s showmanship.

Another perspective.

This picture is so badass.  Hemingway reminds me a lot of my grandfather, who went on safaris in the 50s and 60s.  Somehow my father got a hold of two massive animal heads, just a few of my grandfather’s collection, and hung them in our house.  One of them was a kudu.  Seeing that picture fondly reminded me of home.

Joe, the owner of the still famous bar Sloppy Joe’s and one of Hemingway’s friends, told him living next to the lighthouse would help him find his way home after a night of drinking.

Our tour guide gets extra points for looking like Hemingway.

Hemingway’s writing room.  More animal heads!

The first in-ground swimming pool in Key West.  We won't get into details, but this was essentially a costly fight between Hemingway and his second wife.

They acted like petty children.

And their quarrels could not be more amusing to his friends or fans.

Just trust us and don't drink from this fountain.

 One of the many polydactyl, or many-toed, cats on the estate. 

Cats with extra toes on their paws are considered to be good luck to sailors.  I'm no sailor, but I'd want a cat with "thumbs" if I were hitchhiking.

Ayk with a banana tree.

Me with a polydactyl cat.