May 2-3 The oldest oldest oldest city

See the first picture for our next stop in Florida.  Of course we had to visit a fort (2^nd pic).  But this fort was built to protect all riches on the Spanish galleons from pirates as they made way in the gulfstream current back to Spain.  It was Ponce de Leon that discovered that the gulfstream current could sweep a ship up the coast and put one on track for a quicker trip to Spain.  We visited the famous Ponce de Leon hotel (next pic), that was built by Henry Flagler (it now houses the Flagler coed college).  No costs were spared, including the stained glass ceiling by Tiffany (next pic).The next pic is taken from the upstairs ballroom of the adjacent Alcazar Hotel (now the Lightner museum) that overlooks what was once the largest indoor pool in the world.  Women’s swimming championships were held here in the 1920’s.   Finally, there is a picture of our waiter at the Columbia Restaurant, which is supposed to be the best Cuban restaurant in the states.  And, we believe it.   We had mussels in some kind of Cuban sauce and Cuban flatbread.  Inexpensive and very, very good.  We even bought their cookbook, so that, when you come to visit, we will cook it for you!!!