New Years Eve 2006 in West Palm Beach

We spent our first two nights at the Crowne Plaza West Palm Beach near West Palm Beach intl airport. The hotel is located conveniently near PBI international airport as well as just seconds away from I-95 Express way and the Florida Turnpike, meaning you won't have to deal with major traffic just to get onto the expressway. I believe all of the rooms are standard guestrooms, however, each room offers a refrigerator and microwave at no charge which is a nice added bonus. The rooms are very modern with big windows and the bathrooms offer a separate sink area which is convenient for multiple guests. The hotel offers complimentary wireless Internet, free parking and a free shuttle to the airport and within a 5 mile radius from the hotel. The only negative thing I would have to say is that the highly coveted Print-Me service is advertized throughout the hotel and its website, yet the staff barely know what it is, and when I spoke to the merger, he told me the service has been disconnected for a long time now.

Three years ago, back in 2003, we were drove down to Miami from the Ft. Lauderdale area where we stayed at to visit Parrot Jungle Island. When we go there, the doors had just closed. I vowed to visit this place as soon as I would return to the South Florida area. Three years later, I was here again. This time I arrived early and I underestimated my excitement. It was so much better! This was the best of my 4 days spent in South Florida on this particular trip.

Parrot Jungle Island is the Conservatory/Park with the most species of Parrots/Birds in the entire Northern Hemisphere. Here you will see beautiful Macaws, Cockatoos, Lorrikeets, Cockatiels, Conures, Budgies, African Greys, Pigeons, Amazons. You will even see an Australian Cuckabaroo. Parrot Jungle Island has greatly expanded over the years. Though I was not able to see the interior of the park back in 2003, I recall only seeing information about parrots inside of the park. Now, there are reptiles, tigers, lions and monkeys there as well.

There are three shows, one for reptiles, one for birds and one for monkeys/tigers/lions. All three are highly educational and should not be skipped while you are there. All the birds there are extremely talented, and are not just sitting for you to look at them, but instead to interact. Many are not in cages, but on perches so you can get upfront and personal. You can give them a kiss, or pet them, take them on your hand. Many of the birds will let you feed them their grains and seeds. They will sing back to your whistles and speak the words they have been thought. Sometimes they will repeat after you (my Mom taught one of the Cockatoos how to say "cracker").

Most of all, there are not just one or two birds, there are literally hundreds. The entire park is filled with them everywhere. Though the area of the park is not that big, we spent the entire day with the birds and animals at this great place, and it was worth every second. If I could go back there and revisit everything, I would do it right away. Maybe it's because I love parrots and birds so much. Nevertheless, I recommend this wonderful habitat to everyone and have only the best words to say about Parrot Jungle Island.