The Ocean Reef experience

Hi there,
I decided I needed to add this today at least it's not going to be as long as the last one!Well maybe!!
Graeme rented car for the day and we went north up Key Largo Island ( Cay is the Spanish word for Island , I guess same as the word Key?) We had an appointment to see The Anglers Club a kind of yacht club like CYC, our one with commodore and officiers. They also had a few tennis courts ,and a croquet lawn which seems a popular pastime in clubs in the south .Nice bar area and restaurant.We met Bill through a friend of ours and he showed us round.It was small and old style and very nice.People join the club for family holidays , they have an inn with many rooms also the marina thatcan accomodate boats of all sizes. Next we met up with the Darnell's over at The Ocean Reef Club.Both clubs are gated and strictly controlled to make sure no undesirables get in ! The Darnells took us on a wonderful and full tour of the area in a golf cart Everyone seems to own a golf cart and it is the perferred mode of transportation.Some of the carts were like fancy cars , just to be different!We have never seen anything like this place anywhere in the world!It had everything! Even an airport and own private plane to take guests in and out.The wealthy bring their own planes in of course !
Two banks, a hospital,library,an arts center,shops, including a small grocery store,3 golf courses (all 18 holes),huge marina and also a boat yard for boat repairs,car rental business ,numerous swimming pools and restaurants.Even house services eg plumbers and interior decorators are on site.We spent a lovely day taking it all in, having lunch and checking out the marina.Which at $6.50 per ft to bring your boat in for one night if you are sponsored by a member ,was not cheap.We on average have been paying about $2 per ft per night! We finished the tour, with a delicious ice cream and watched the Darnell boys trying their hands at ice skating on an artificial synthetic surface. Not easy to do ,but fun for us to watch.
We headed back to the marina and finished off the day at a very nice restaurant we had spied on a trip in the car with Barbara and Stephen. Ballyhoo Restaurant is named after the small flying fish that frequent the Pennekamp Reef area. we saw several on our boat ride.Meal was delicious, best place we found to eat at in Key Largo.
Our last day in Key Largo had been fun.we enjoyed this place.Apparently there is an old movie called Key Largo.Might like to check it out.Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall featured in it.
Over and Out,
Erica.