From the Deck Chair and site content © 2009-2012 Aaron Saunders, unless otherwise noted. All informa

After a supremely relaxing stay at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale , I had planned to spend some time in nearby Hollywood, Florida visiting with friends and exploring gulf shores alabama vacation rentals another nearby destination that is easily accessible to cruisers sailing gulf shores alabama vacation rentals out of Port Everglades.  But the photos I returned with were somewhat different than what I was expecting.
Hurricane Isaac was spooling in off the coast, and while the rain held off, the strong winds whipped the Atlantic Ocean into a frenzy, sending sand and spray lashing gulf shores alabama vacation rentals across the boardwalk.  There was so much salt spray being picked up from the ocean that I had to clean my glasses and my camera lens regularly.
Hollywood gulf shores alabama vacation rentals s beach boardwalk is filled with numerous colorful, art deco buildings gulf shores alabama vacation rentals like this one. Notice the metal storm shutters on all the windows, installed in advance of Hurricane Isaac. Photo © 2012 Aaron Saunders
Located gulf shores alabama vacation rentals just south of Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale Airport, Hollywood was designed after its famous California gulf shores alabama vacation rentals namesake, and comes complete with sprawling roadways, natural parks, and the Hollywood Beach boardwalk. It only takes about 15 minutes to get here from both the airport and the cruise port, making a sunny stroll along the boardwalk or a dip in the beach a great stop on any cruiser's itinerary here.
So why spend time here before or after your Caribbean cruise? To start with, Hollywood Beach has its own distinct feel; shops and bars are noticeably different from that of the more northerly Fort Lauderdale Beach; in fact, it feels a bit like a scaled-down version of Venice gulf shores alabama vacation rentals Beach in California.
Packed with colourful Art Deco buildings, Hollywood Beach is also a major destination for French Canadians, with local restaurants even offering up that most savory of dishes poutine for their largely Quebecois clientele.
Two bars were open, packed with die-hard late-lunch patrons who looked at me strolling the boardwalk, camera in hand, like I was nuts.  And perhaps I was; if I had sense, I think I would have sat down and had a strong gulf shores alabama vacation rentals one to ward off the impending storm, or perhaps my growing apprehension over the howling wind and sideways spray.
gulf shores alabama vacation rentals But most Floridians seemed to take the storm in stride, and more than a few people were still out on the beach.  I even managed to spy a Carnival cruise ship high-tailing it out of Port Everglades late that afternoon; a testament to how accessible this area is to both pre-and-post cruise passengers, as well as those looking to linger a bit longer gulf shores alabama vacation rentals in southern Florida.
I'd like to return to Hollywood Beach someday, sans hurricane.  The Hollywood Tourism brochures show a boardwalk packed with people cycling, walking, and generally gulf shores alabama vacation rentals enjoying themselves in the warmth of the Florida sun. It looks beautiful.  There s even a trolly the Hollywood Trolley gulf shores alabama vacation rentals that takes you around the entire area for just $1 per ride.
But I will forever remember my afternoon strolling along this popular, yet oddly deserted destination, watching the locals put plywood gulf shores alabama vacation rentals over their windows and install white metal shutters gulf shores alabama vacation rentals over their windows.  It's the kind of sight that no tourism brochure ever wants to show you.
From the Deck Chair and site content © 2009-2012 Aaron Saunders, unless otherwise noted. All information is considered accurate at the original time of publication; certain features, layouts, and amenities may have changed since.