holiday

Trials,Tribulations and Happy Moments in my busy life

Saturday 27 October 2012

Naples before the Rain.

Hi folks,

Well Thursday morning started off well before the drive across Alligator Alley from the west to the east coast of Florida. We stayed at the Comfort Suites and set off to explore Naples which to be honest is an up market town by the sea with lots of well to do people living there and it shows.


We arrived up a small street to look at the beach but in true American style it was made difficult to access it but we did.


We parked up and went to have a look, the beach had lovely sand and was squeaky clean to walk on.


Looking back from the beach you can see the parking bays at 25 cents for 10 minutes that made the point that tourists were not wanted.


The houses were large and well presented with lovely well kept lawns and flowers in their driveways.


Well what a post box to keep up with the neighbours, love the dog at the bottom.


Well what a front yard and this was not a big property by any means.


Down the road was another "private" beach, we had access but not easy to park anywhere. note no ordinary sun shades.


Even the boats had sun shades. Everything is untouched and security is high, in the normal run of things in the UK this would all have disappeared over night.


Idyllic scene on the beach but it was not for us as we lefted the upper class to get on with it.

This is one of the things about the states, the poor are destitute and you are frequently asked for money and you must always refuse.  The middle class just get by and the rich just get richer.  Speaking to a lady at the kite festival who had just come back from New Orleans she said that out in the suburbs people were still living in shacks with holes in roofs 18 months after the levies broke.

All in all we don't have it too bad at home, we spoke to a nice young lady in a bar and she earned $2 an hour, about £1.50 to us and relies on tips to make up the difference.

America has wonderful assets but I am sure they don't realize what a wonderful country they have.

As they say, "all sorts make a world"

Thanks for looking, hopefully the rain will stop tomorrow and we can finish our wonderful trip.


PS. just for Trev another one of those trees in a different location.

nite, nite, Luv Mike and Sue. XXX

8 comments:

  1. Lots of people 'knock' our welfare system and we do have our problems but I was shocked to read that the people in new Orleans have been 'left to get on with it' so to speak .... Nothing wrong with being rich ..wish I was!! But like Bill Gates and his wife you need to splash it about a bit to those that need some help! When I have millions I will buy you a Kite, Mike ...and Sue can have two!!! Take care both .... looks a bit dodgy with the weather where you are xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Eileen, had a few deep discussions about the States with various nice people at the flea market we went to yesterday.( in tonight's blog). Because the election is coming up Obama wants a welfare state for America. The only trouble with that is the America people will have to pay more. VAT in this part of Florida is 7% against our 20%

      Delete
    2. Fuel is $3.60 against our $11 if you convert, that's the problem. I plan to find the basic rate of income tax whilst here as well. It is all very interesting I think.

      Delete
  2. BTW ... nearly 7am here ... rushing around to do all the domestic engineering before F1 qualifying starts at 8.30!! Woo-hoo that me sorted for the weekend! lol

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Mike and Sue,great pics.....love the post box ! I dont think money makes happiness......but if your rich in heart then you will be happy !!!
    The only part of me that is rich is in my surname...........
    Savour every moment both,
    safe trip
    hugs
    Chris and Dave R
    xxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Americans are mainly happy it's the immigrants that are used to run the country, anyway will speak more when home. I find it a very interesting subject. See the comment on Eileen's reply. XX

      Delete
  4. Don't forget the other taxes that they have to pay Mike.
    Craig pays three taxes. Government, local and state. Bit like our council tax and income tax. In Medway we don't have to pay KCC but we would if we lived in Gravesend.

    Nice beaches and I love that tree.

    It is cold and damp here, by Thursday the old temp will be back up to 10c. It is 5.2 outside now 1350.

    Have fun and you menu is ordered.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good news about Thursday, ok on the taxes, just making observations.
      Thanks for doing the menu will settle up in dollars at the end of next week. lol

      Delete