Why Shangri-La?

Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. Hilton describes Shangri-La as a mystical, harmonious valley, enclosed in the western end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La has become synonymous with any earthly paradise – a utopia, permanently happy land, isolated from the world. In the novel, the people who live at Shangri-La are almost immortal, living years beyond their normal lifespan and only aging very slowly in appearance.

 

When we were shopping for a condo in Florida, we looked at many units in Fort Lauderdale.  One day when we were out with our real estate agent, it was a beautiful day, the sky was bright blue with puffy white clouds, the temperature was pleasant with a nice breeze, the grass was vivid green, the birds were happily singing and we looked at a very cute art deco building on the Intercoastal.  While we were looking around the grounds, Steven met an elderly lady and chatted with her for a few minutes.  During their conversation, he asked what she thought of the building and her unit.  She said she had lived there for over 25 years and she loved it!  She commented that this was her 'Shangri-La'.  Later that night when we were at our hotel, Steven said he hoped that we would be as happy as she was and we would find our Shangri-La.

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Well, we are very happy with our condo in Highland Beach and feel as though we are living a dream - which in our opinion is the definition of Shangri-La. (And here in our building we have Peter who is 93 years old and still very active - walking the beach every day, growing his own herbs and cooking dinner for him and his lovely wife, Diana.  So maybe this truly is Shangri-La...)

 

Getting to/From Highland Beach

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is 27 miles north of our home.  It takes longer to drive along A1A, but it is a beautiful drive from PBI to Highland Beach.  This route takes you along the ocean - past some gorgeous waterfront mansions.  You can also make a stop on the famous Worth Avenue, but don't forget your wallet!

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Fort Lauderdale International Airport is 31 miles south of our home.  Fort Lauderdale (FLL) has more flights than PBI, which can make it a better option.  The ride from FLL is typically pretty easy - right up I-95 to Highland Beach.

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Miami International Airport (MIA) is about 20 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, so it about 52 miles from Highland Beach .

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We suggest that you rent a car to get from any of the airports to Highland Beach, but you can take an Uber.  We recommend that you rent a car, as you will need one to get around our area - unless you only plan to be on the beach.

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Please obey the speed limit on Ocean Blvd.  Highland Beach Police are always watching for cars traveling over the speed limit - and we wouldn't want you to get a ticket for speeding.  Not a good way to spend your vacation money!

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Opening the house

1. Next to the front door is the electrical panel.  Turn on the water heater.

2. In the front bedroom (closest to the street) closet, turn on the water.  We suggest that you turn on the water in the sinks and let them run for about a minute.

3. Set the room temperature to whatever is comfortable to you.  The thermostat is located just outside the front bedroom.

4. Turn on the ice maker in the freezer by lowering the metal rod.

5. Open the storm shutters on the patio by pulling the black tab towards you (perpendicular to the shutter), and then slide the metal rod up out of the frame (or down from the frame if you are holding the top tab).  Once the rod is free of the slot in the bottom frame (or top frame), push the shutters back - and enjoy the view!

 

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Closing the house

1. Close the storm shutters on the patio.  Ensure the rods are secure in the top or bottom frame and push the black tab in (so that it is parallel to the shutter).

2. Ensure that there is no food in the sink garbage disposal by running it for a few seconds (the switch is under the sink).

3. Turn off the ice maker in the freezer by raising the metal rod and empty the ice bin.

4. Set the thermostat to 79 degrees.

5. Turn off the water in the front bedroom closet. Run water in the sinks until the water stops.

6. Bag the trash and deposit it in the trash chutes near either elevator.

7. Turn off the water heater in the electrical panel near the front door.

8. Lock both locks on the front door.

 

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TV

• To watch normal TV, use the Xfinity remote to turn on the TV and select a program. (We are not here enough to pay the extra monthly charge for a DVR box, so you can’t schedule a show to be recorded.)

• To use the Apple TV (Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc.), on the Xfinity remote press “TV input” on the lower right corner.  Now you will use the small silver remote to select the app to play. You may also show pictures and videos from your iPhone using Air Play and the Apple TV device.

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Wi-Fi

• To join our wi-fi, join Shangri-La-5G.
  The password is atlanticocean_5G (no spaces, all lower case).

• Or you may try, Shangri-La.
  The password is atlanticocean (no spaces, all lower case).

 

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Parking Space

• Our parking space is 133, on the upper level.

 

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Laundry

• We have two laundry rooms on the 3rd floor.  One near the south elevator and one near the north elevator.

• Laundry soap, dryer sheets and the tokens for the machines are in our storage cabinet (labeled #312) in the south laundry room.

• The key to the cabinet is in the box on the kitchen counter.

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Trash

• Trash chutes are located near both elevators. All trash must be in sealed trash bags.

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Supplies/Towels

• There are supplies (tissue paper, toilet paper, soap, etc.) and extra towels in the front bedroom (closest to the street) small closet.

• An iron and ironing board are in the back bedroom (closest to the ocean) closet.

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Party Room, Library and Fitness Center

• To access the party room, library and fitness center, go to the 1st floor, center of the building.  There is a key pad by the glass doors.  The access code is 617*.

 

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Swimming Pool

• The pool is open daily from dawn to dusk.  If you would like to take a drink to the pool, it must be in a plastic glass.

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Shopping/Food/Entertainment

• The closest grocery store is the Publix on corner of Linton and A1A (Delray Plaza) 1538 S Federal Hwy, Delray Beach.

• The closest drug store is CVS in the same shopping center as the Publix. The closest Walgreen’s is on 430 NE 6th Ave, Delray Beach (just north of Linton).

• Papa John’s delivers to our house:  (561) 266-7272.

• For a fun evening, try out Atlantic Avenue (the AVE) in Delray Beach (about 3 miles north).

• For more an upscale outdoor shopping experience, check out Mizner Park in Boca Raton (327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432). And for a traditional mall, you can go to Town Center of Boca Raton (6000 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431).

• Learn more about the local plants and animals at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center just a couple miles south from here (1801 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton).

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Happy Hour

Our building is very social.  Residents from building get together every day for a happy hour at 5:00 pm by the swimming pool (unless it is inclement weather - then it is held in the party room).  Everyone brings their own drink in a plastic glass (it doesn't have to be alcoholic) and they visit and talk about the events of the day.  When we have been - there have been as few as 5 people to as many as 12 - it all depends on who is in town.  And note - it is a happy hour - everyone packs up and goes home at 6:00, so don't go down too late...

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Contacts

Mike McMurry cell...................312-405-7600 or 832-332-3807

 

Steven Baalson cell................832-656-7185

 

Penthouse Towers Office.....561-278-8092

Elaine Prentice - Manager Address                                                            

 

 

3101 S. Ocean Blvd, #312                                                                         

Highland Beach, FL 33487