GIRLS GONE GLADING

“We’ve got beach lounges reserved for you ladies,” chirped the gal at reception. “Just see Gino under the blue umbrella and he’ll get you set up.” I smiled back and paused to let her proposal sink in. It would have been nice to lie there on the beach, order some pina coladas, and catch some rays. And if Gino was anything like the bling-bedazzled group checking in beside us, it would have been a wild time. But “we ladies” had a different kind of wild in mind.

by Nancy Hellmrich

Friends from our young and daring days in New York City, Deb and I hadn’t seen each other in years. When I called to suggest we meet in Florida, I was surprised how quickly she said yes.

Crab Scoobies

Just like the old days, she was up for any adventure. In this case, it was an eco-safari through the Florida Everglades.

So, instead of slipping into bikinis and meeting Gino, Deb and I slipped on long-sleeved shirts and met Luis, an airboat pilot who took us for a ride. He tore his sleeve to demonstrate the dangers of sawgrass, then stripped the sawgrass stalk and sucked its meat to show us how to survive—should we ever find ourselves without food in wetlands such as these.

Luis wouldn’t let us sit in the pilot’s chair but he did introduce us to Hershel, a large alligator with inquisitive eyes and skin that made me feel badly about a clutch I’d once owned. Next, we hopped in a van with a guide named Emily who cranked the A/C and drove west along Tamiami Trail, pointing out osprey, egrets, herons, and anhinga along the way.

After 45 minutes of astounding wildlife sightings, we arrived in Everglades City, population 190. Lunch – alligator fritters, blackened grouper, sweet iced tea, and key lime pie – was served at a local joint. From there, we were handed off to a sun-pink fellow named Corey who welcomed us aboard a white skiff boat and commenced motoring out into Chokoloskee Bay.

“I was born and raised here,” Corey announced, narrowing his gaze and peering intently into the water. Then, almost as if he were talking to himself, “I was swimming with a momma manatee and her little-bitty baby around here yesterday.” After a minute or two he pointed left, “There!”

Sure enough, a ghostly shadow appeared beneath the surface, then a soft, grey snout came up for air, and a smaller one followed suit. As the sun moved lower, we cruised the “Ten Thousand” mangrove islands and reveled in manatee, dolphin, and spoonbill sightings while Corey spun tales of drug busts, tarpon fishing, and python escapes. Back at our beachside hotel, Gino had clocked out but the sun had yet to set, so we decided to

Trusted guide Corey

Ingredients

Crust

10 oz. (315 g) graham crackers 6 Tbs. (2 1/2 oz./75 g) unsalted butter, melted 2 Tbs. Florida granulated sugar 1/2 tsp. salt

Filling

4 egg yolks 1 can (14 fl. oz./430 ml) sweetened condensed milk 1/2 cup (4 fl. oz./125 ml) Key lime juice

Topping

2 cups (16 fl. oz./500 ml) heavy cream 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 cup (1 3/4 oz./50 g) confectioner’s sugar Key lime zest or slices

VIDEO VIDÉO

Directions

Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C).

In a medium bowl, crush the graham crackers until fine crumbs form. Add the butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix with a fork until evenly moist. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch (23 cm) pie dish. Place on a baking sheet and bake until the edges are dry and set, about 7 minutes. The bottom will still be soft but will firm up as the crust cools. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Keep the oven set at 350°F (180°C).

In a clean bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, condensed milk, and lime juice. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and begins to thicken. Pour mixture into the cooled crust and bake until the edges of the pie are set, but the center still jiggles a little, 15 - 20 minutes. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and let cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Prior to serving, whisk the cream and vanilla extract together, then slowly add the superfine sugar while beating, gradually increasing speed as the mixture thickens. Continue to beat until soft peaks form (about 2 minutes).

Cut pie into 8 slices and garnish each slice with the fresh the whipped cream and a thin slice of lime or a sprinkling of zest. Serves 8.

Note: Real Key limes are smaller, less acidic, and more aromatic than the thick-skinned, solid green Persian limes that we find in grocery stores.

INTERVIEW ENTREVUE

MUSIC MUSIQUE

Famed Morenos Cuba bar and Cuban cuisine

RECIPE RECETTE

hit the town. At Coconuts, on the waterfront, we paired Chef Luc Limage’s famed Crab Scoobies with a couple of fancy cocktails. Deb took a liking to the Bermuda Triangle Margaritas. I opted for a concoction called Save the Whales. There’s something about gin after a steamy day in the jungle that makes life seem worthwhile. While we could have stayed and filled up on seafood, neither of us is capable of visiting the Miami area without eating Cuban food. We Uber’d down to Morenos Cuba on South Beach, which is clubby and fun and has awesome frozen margaritas. To be honest, neither of us can remember what we ordered. It might have been Mom’s Ropa Vieja with rice, beans, and sweet plantains? Definitely not sawgrass. Definitely wild. #godblessuber COCKTAIL COCKTAIL

BOOK LIVRE

Ready to head south for a thrilling winter foodie adventure? Contact your Ensemble Travel Advisor.

Be Among The First INTERVIEW ENTREVUE � Venture Onward MUSIC MUSIQUE

BOOK OUR NEWEST SHIP EARLY AND ENJOY GREAT SAVINGS!

RECIPE RECETTE

COCKTAIL COCKTAIL

You’re invited to connect with people, cultures, and yourself aboard the newest addition to our fleet, Azamara OnwardSM . Just as the name suggests, our fourth sister ship will push forward the future of Destination Immersion® experiences with a passionate crew, health and safety standards during her inaugural season in Europe. BOOK LIVRE Plus, book before August 31, 2022 you’ll save 20% on your Europe 2023 voyage* for booking early and receive a complimentary Experience More Essentials Package, which includes a $300 Shore Excursion Onboard Credit, unlimited WiFi for one device, and a Premium Beverage Package for two, on select staterooms and suites. With endless experiences and more voyages than ever, we look forward to exploring Europe with you.

Explore Well at Sea Embark on your future sailing, knowing we’re enhancing our health and safety standards through our Explore Well at Sea program.

INCLUSIVE AMENITIES

TO BOOK YOUR VOYAGE: CONTACT YOUR ENSEMBLE TRAVEL ADVISOR TODAY.

*Offer applies to new bookings created before August 31, 2022 (“Offer Period”). Offer applies to select sailings departing March 23, 2023–November 14, 2023. Offer provides 20% off cruise fares of all stateroom categories. Offer also provides a complimentary Experience More Essentials Package (inclusive of $300 USD Shore Excursion Onboard Credit [OBC], Unlimited WiFi for one device, and a Premium Beverage Package for Two) per stateroom, for guests booked in Veranda and higher stateroom categories. The Shore Excursion OBC portion of the Experience More Essentials Package will be applied to the booking as an individual component, with the option to spend pre-cruise. The balance of any pre-cruise spend of Shore Excursion OBC, will be reconciled once onboard. Experience More Essentials Packages have no cash value, are not redeemable for cash, and are not transferable. Limit one Offer per stateroom. All other charges, including, but not limited to, cruise taxes, fees, and port expenses, are additional and apply to all guests. Offer is combinable with Back to Back Benefits, onboard booking savings and Azamara Circle Quarterly Savings, National Account Hosted and Amenity Programs, and one other OBC or value add. Unless stated otherwise, offer is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Last Minute Voyages, Closed User Rates, Employee Rates, Interline Rates, Travel Agent Rates, and Net Rates. Offer is not applicable to 3rd and 4th guests in a stateroom. Offer is not applicable to incentive or contracted groups. After the Offer Period, the offer will be removed from the booking if the guest cancels and reinstates the booking, applies a fare change, or changes the ship or sail date of the booking, even if sailing date is within the sailing period highlighted above; certain other changes to the booking may also result in removal of the offer. Offer is subject to availability and change without notice and may be withdrawn at any time. Single occupancy guests paying 200% cruise fare are eligible for the full amount of the offer; single occupancy guests paying less than 200% cruise fare are eligible for a prorated amount of the offer. This offer is applicable to U.S., Canada, and select global markets only. Refer to Azamara.com/bookearly and the Cruise Ticket Contract for additional terms and conditions. ©2021 Azamara. Ships registered in Malta.