On the evening of October 28th, I hopped on a flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to attend the TBEX Travel Blogger Conference. I had always wanted to visit warm & sunny southern Florida and its beautiful beaches, so this event presented the perfect opportunity! The two day conference would take place on Thursday and Friday, thus leaving Saturday and Sunday open for sightseeing.

Prior to my flight’s departure from Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts; I had a quick bite to eat at “Currito”(Currito) in the airport food court. They offer several vegan burrito choices. My tasty dinner selection was the Bangkok Burrito with cilantro lime rice, Asian slaw, cucumber, Thai style peanut sauce, wrapped in a tortilla.

Once aboard my JetBlue flight, I was pleased to notice that their snack menu now includes a vegan option. The “Pump Up Box” that I ordered included Dip-in Hummus dip, Olives basil garlic olives, 2 Degrees chocolate banana snack bar, Mary’s Gone Crackers Mulitgrain Crackers, and Enlightened Roasted Broad Beans. Each one was enjoyable.

The first day of the TBEX conference was fantastic. I met many fellow travel bloggers and attended some fabulous workshops.
An after-party was held at an exquisite resort in nearby Hollywood, Florida. The evening was capped off nicely with pink skies, as the sun was setting.

Upon arrival back in Fort Lauderdale, I decided upon Top 42 Bar (Top 42 Bar) for my dinner. The restaurant is accommodating to vegans, by substituting or eliminating ingredients to their vegetarian selections. Two of their side dishes made a decent evening meal. My roasted brussel sprouts and brown rice with veggies(peas, edamame, scallions) in a tamari sauce were good choices.

Prior to heading over to the second day of the TBEX conference, I stopped by the Fort Lauderdale Beach on Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard. What better way to start the day than a walk along the beach!

The sun was still rising and looked spectacular!

Across the street from the beach was “Ocean View Delight” restaurant (Ocean View Delight Restaurant). This Mediterranean Cafe offers healthy and fresh vegetarian and vegan food on their menu. I opted for the vegan whole wheat French Toast topped with cinnamon and agave syrup, sliced bananas, and a side of hash browns. A cold glass of fresh orange juice was my refreshing morning beverage. Everything was delicious. For a beachfront view and great vegan breakfast choices, I highly recommend this cafe.

After my breakfast, I went back to the beach to dip my feet in its warm and soothing waters before heading to the conference.

Day two of TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange) had come to an end. The conference was both informative and enlightening. Dinner time had arrived, so I opted for the all vegan “Sublime Restaurant” (Sublime Restaurant) in Fort Lauderdale. This upscale vegan restaurant offers an eclectic menu and amazing ambiance. Their gourmet vegan meals attract many nationally recognized celebrities.

The waiter first presented me with a complimentary baked polenta cake with herbs. I enjoyed it very much.

The cashew cheese plate appetizer arrived next with house made cheese, olive tapenade, and house made crostini. Such a tasty vegan cheese plate!

My entree was the Sublime Picatta consisting of a Gardein cutlet, mashed potato and sauteed spinach, in a lemon-caper sauce. What flavorful and fabulous meal! A pineapple juice complimented it.

For dessert, I selected the vegan coconut cake made with white cake, coconut bittercream, and almond tuile, with a drizzled chocolate sauce on top. Wow! My sweet treat was absolutely delectable.

Saturday had arrived, so I took an early morning Greyhound bus to Miami for a sightseeing day trip. On Sunday, I woke up bright and early back in Fort Lauderdale, ready to commence my day’s itinerary. The first activity of the morning was a visit to the Everglades. I took an educational sightseeing tour of the Everglades by airboat. Our guide stated that we would possibly meet a few of the local crocodiles in these waters.

This habitat for rare species such as the American alligator and manatee, is also considered a a World Heritage site and an International Biosphere Reserve and Wetlands.

Various trees, tall grasses, and a multitude of lilypads provide lush wetlands with each twist and turn along the winding waterway passages.

Eventually, we encounter an alligator’s head peering above the calm waters.

Then his body begins to emerge.

From each and every angle in the airboat, we catch striking views of the Everglades.

Again we enocounter a couple of alligators. Our guide calls out to them to attract their attention. He never pulls up the boat too closely to them, so that he respects their space and safety. They slowly glide by, as their long sleek bodies swim further into the deep waters.

The warm wetlands habitat provides the proper environment for green plants, trees, and flowering lilypads to thrive.

The reflection of the puffy white clouds in the sky and the green trees start to shimmer upon the waters.

I was quite pleased to have witnessed several alligators casually swimming about the waterways of the Everglades and glad that the airboat slows down and doesn’t get too close to invade their space. My day of adventure was off to a good start! After cruising around the Everglades, it was time to grab some lunch.

A trusted Uber driver brought me to “Green Bar & Kitchen”(Green Bar & Kitchen) in Fort Lauderdale. The completely vegan restaurant offers plant-based healthy vegan food in a casual and bright space. For my Sunday Brunch meal, I opted for the Tofu Benedict with tempeh slices on a homemade biscuit with greens, topped with a vegan hollandaise sauce. The entree was complimented with a side of roasted potatoes and avocados. My beverage was a tropical mango tea. Everything was superb! This cafe provides an extensive menu of savory and sweet items.

A fruit tart with vegan cream cheese was a great snack purchase for me. The fruity and cheesy flavors was indeed a tasty treat for me!

Later in the afternoon, I had the opportunity to visit an animal sanctuary that cares for injured wildlife that are unable to be released into the environment. I encountered many of the rescued wild turkeys, snowbirds, peacocks, and absolutely stunning pink flamingos.

A Florida lion was also cared for on the grounds.

Next on my itinerary was a tram ride through botanical gardens and forests in the Everglades region of southern Florida. We encountered many species of flora and fauna. From banana trees to gigantic “Hammock Trees” to moss covered giant branches on moss-covered trees to swaying palm trees, we gazed in awe at the sheer uniqueness and variety that each tree has to offer.

Within the woods, a large pond exists. Geese and other birds reside along its shores.

Beautifully colorful flowers and berries are found throughout the botanical gardens and forest, displaying their splendid hues of oranges, reds, pinks, and yellows.

Florida’s prized crop of mango trees also grows within the botanical garden site, as well as a few other fruits.

My day in the Everglades was amazing, but the time had arrived to pay a visit to one of Florida’s spectacular beaches: Las Olas Beach in Fort Lauderdale! The long stretch of pristine beach offers miles of soft white sand and crystal clear waters. Though it was late October, the water was still warm and comfortable. I went up to my knees in the ocean and enjoyed the soothing feeling. The beach is clean, safe, and quiet. I really enjoyed my visit.

As I exited the beach, I took a stroll by the winding white walls along its edge.

Late afternoon turned into evening, so it was time to leave the beautiful Las Olas Beach and pack up my luggage for my return flight home. The airport food court presented me with one vegan-friendly restaurant. The “Food Network Kitchen” (Food Network Kitchen) offers casual sit down dining or takeaway sandwiches, beverages, and snacks. I purchased a tasty vegan chickpea and veggie sandwich, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. The portion was decent and inexpensive.

My four day visit to Fort Lauderdale and Miami were magnificent! I enjoyed the gorgeous beaches, the breath-taking natural wonder of the Everglades and its wildlife, and the impressive vegan dining scene in the southern Florida region.

My tours in the Everglades were provided by “Greater Fort Lauderdale Visitor’s Bureau” but all opinions expressed are my own.