Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
The East Coast of the United States of America stretches from the tropical blue seas and white sand of Florida’s Sunshine State to the Canadian border in the North. We begin our journey in the warm and relaxed islands of the Florida Keys, where modern-day treasure hunters are still at work, hunting for sunken Spanish gold.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
When the Fisher family of treasure seekers finally struck it rich, the local authorities tried to claim the bounty for themselves, and the case went to the Supreme Court. We learn how the “Florida Keys” got their name, and how these small outlying islands are linked to the mainland.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
The town of Marathon in the Florida Keys is home to a unique hospital dedicated solely to caring for sea turtles. Marine biologist Bette Zirkelbach tells us about the dangers that sea turtles face in the wild. A lifesaving operation takes place, and a turtle is treated for a mysterious viral infection.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
The only coral barrier reef in the United States surrounds the Florida Keys archipelago, and has been badly damaged by environmental pressures including ocean warming. The Coral Restoration Foundation is dedicated to its salvation, and in underwater nurseries, new coral is being grown to replenish the reef.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
We head northward into the great swampy wilderness of the Florida Everglades. Airboat Captain Jesse Kennon knows his way around these marshes and where to find their most well-known and well-feared inhabitant: the alligator!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
Jesse Kennon’s family are the only permanent residents of Coopertown, and he takes on responsibilities as town mayor. A short way further up the coast lies Miami, once another small town, which underwent an almost miraculous growth to become the vibrant tourism, relaxation, and business hub we know today.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
By the beaches of South Florida the lifestyle is relaxed, with plenty of time for outdoor activities. We meet Sean Reyngoudt, whose life changed when he lost a leg in an accident as a teenager. But that didn’t stop him becoming a wakeboarding champion and enjoying life to the fullest.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
As well as attracting the rich and famous to its golden beaches, Florida’s great climate is also perfect for growing fruit, making the sunshine state one of the biggest producers of oranges in the world. We meet a citrus farmer who shows us some of the harvesting process.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
Leaving behind the orange groves and retirement settlements of southern Florida, we travel on northwards, passing Pelican Island, America’s first ever nature reserve, and the historic rocket launch site at Cape Canaveral. Then we come to Daytona, which is popular with partying students and motorsport fanatics alike.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
Daytona resident Gary Rosier has had a passion for automobiles for as long as he can remember, and meets every week with fellow enthusiasts to cruise to car shows in their classic cars. In Daytona, you can even drive your car onto the beach!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
To the north of Daytona lies the city of St. Augustine, where the first Spanish settlers landed and built a fort. The area became a melting pot of peoples and cultures, gradually forming a cosmopolitan community. Today, its European heritage is still evident in its architecture.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
United Kingdom
With Britpop at its peak, bands such as Oasis and Blur vied to have the biggest hits, but it was The Verve who struck a chord with perhaps the most memorable song of the era, “Bitter Sweet Symphony." But even their success was bittersweet, as they were promptly sued by the Rolling Stones, who claimed the band had stolen one of their melodies without permission.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Canada
This smash hit from Canadian singer, songwriter and record producer The Weeknd comes from his album After Hours. The song reached number one in more than thirty countries, and in the United States it was the first song ever to remain in the top ten of the Billboard charts for over a year!
Difficulty:
Adv-Intermediate
United Kingdom
This whaling ballad was written long before the song became a surprise internet sensation. In the Nineteenth Century, the original Weller Brothers (Wellermen) brought supplies to remote whaling communities off the New Zealand coast. The lyrics speak of the voyage of one whaling vessel, the Billy of Tea, whose voyage did not go according to plan. Locked in an endless battle with a whale, they longed for a supply ship to bring them sugar, tea, and rum.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
USA
Jimmy Fallon can't believe he's at the White House on the Fourth of July. Watch part of his stand-up performance from that evening in which he does impressions of ten other comedians!
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