Moby Dyke Won an Award!

Dean and Paul, although a little tired from a night of dancing the entire length of Duval Steet in the parade, are boasting a win for the float. 'Moby Dyke' was awarded the Seashore Shenanigans prize! This years Fantasy Fest proved to be Great! The parade was creative and fun, the crowd was great and even when the skies opened and the rain came pouring down the party continued. The city is now working hard to clean up form the nights festivities and the little town of Key West is preparing to welcome the Parrot Heads, for the annual Parrot Head Convention.

Aquatic Afrolic

Lionfish, clown fish, angel fish, lots of sharks, mermaids and jelly fish have taken to the streets of Key West. Our Fantasy Festival is in full swing and the big parade is scheduled for tonight, rain or shine. Dean and Paul are rushing around preparing their costumes, Paul has out a big can of pink spray paint and is making colorful T-shirts. Dean is on a quest to find pink sunglasses. They will be representing the Mermaid & The Alligator on the giant size float "Moby Dyke", a large pink fabulously gay whale. The gang is going to head over to cheer them on and although Caya and Havana are slightly jealous that they will not be going, they are excited by the high energy as everyone prepares their costumes.

Goombay and Cool Air Hit the Keys

Goombay is in full swing, kicking off the week long Fantasy Festival. Bahama Village, closed off to cars, is thriving with the sounds of Junkanoo music and the sweet smells of funnel cakes. By far the best and most popular food at the Goombay festival is the fresh made Conch Ceviche. The 'Ceviche Craftsmen' make it for you right there, while you watch, amazed by their dexterity and focus. Squeezing lime and orange juice onto the fresh conch then adding cilantro and peppers for an added zing, it is well worth waiting in the long line to get your share! Also, stock up on your African Shea butter and start looking for unique holiday gifts. We have been lucky to have a super early cold front hit the Keys. Typically we are sweltering in the humidity as we join in the Fantasy Festival fun, however this year we are donning sweaters and scarfs as the nights drop into the lower 70's. The Mermaid & The Alligator has opened its doors and windows to let the cool fall breeze blow through. The weather is crisp and beautiful, we will have to see if it lasts through the week, a nice treat for all the revelers.

Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns Association

As the rain keeps coming in droves, thanks to a tropical system in the Caribbean, Dean is taking off to St. Augustine to attend the Florida Bed & Breakfast Inns association annual conference. Dean is on the board of FBBI and shares numerous design concepts and customer service tips that make for a successful Inn. Additionally he meets many other Innkeepers and learns what they have to share. It is a great opportunity to see where the Inn-keeping business is going as a whole and how to maintain the allure of the B&B industry. Caya and Havanna miss Dean already and are eager to see what gift he will bring back for them!

It does not happen too often that we get a rainy day in Key West, but a tropical system off of the coast of Cuba is making for a very wet Key West day. Although it can put a damper on a vacation, our guests are finding that Key West has lots of rainy day options. The Customs House Museum has a comprehensive Key West history section and is a beautiful building in itself. Across the street is the notorious Mel Fisher Museum, that tells the story of the famous lost treasure of the Atocha. And a short walk away, is the Little White House Museum, a great stop for American History buffs. Our little coffee shops are bustling with customers and some of the Mermaid & The Alligator guests decided to take in an afternoon matinee at our local theater, The Tropic Cinema. Other guests discovered a sports bar on Duval Street, good food, cold beer and the football game of your choice. Taking advantage of the rain is a good opportunity to hunker down, find a rainy day activity, drink hot coffee and enjoy the tropics.

Get Ready for Fantasy Fest!

October is an exciting month in Key West. The summer humidity begins to wane, the local businesses readily prepare for the season and locals start pulling out their Fantasy Festival beads. The Fantasy Fest week opens, as always with the Goombay Festival , Oct 21&22. A street fair with a Caribbean flair, family friendly with lots of great food, music and arts and crafts. On Monday Oct 24 the week long party leading up to the Fantasy Fest parade begins. For a calender of events go to http://www.fantasyfest.net/schedule.cfm . Here at the Mermaid & The Alligator we are excited to be a part of this years theme Aquatic Afrolic, with out even dressing up. Our name alone is Aquatic enough! We do not have any availability for the Fantasy Festival, however if you are looking for a relaxing retreat in the Keys, December is a fabulous time to visit. the home will be decked out in its holiday finest. Call for availability as we are filling up quickly.

As the tropical breezes turn cooler, Fantasy Fest is in the air. This years theme is Aquatic Afrolic. Put on your fish heads, your fins and your tails and join in the fun!