Puerto Rico Part II

The next day we were greeted by warm rays on the breakfast balcony, an epic selection of pancakes, fruit, and water's tumbling cocophanies at the foot of the garden (which was, in fact, the El Yunque rainforest). It was a very special spot in the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System. Of course we had to explore, prance under the liquid barrages, simmer on the rocks, and marvel at the giant ferns, breadfruit trees and wild orchids.

 

 

 

 That afternoon, we drove around the town in the valley and caught the end of a baseball game. we were thoroughly out of place but everyone was very friendly towards us. Puerto Rican hospitality was especially proven that night when we visited the local bar near our accommodation for a quick drink. We stumbled into a local girl's (Frozen themed) 5th birthday party and everyone was there. It was fantastic and hilarious. We sipped drinks brought by the friendly drunk, Aby was in high demand with locals for a dance and we both shook a wobbly leg as the night matured. We left with birthday cake in a goody bag. Perfection.

We dropped the car back at Hotel Grande and headed to the port in Fajardo, next stop Vieques. A small island 8 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico, measuring about 21 miles long by 4 miles wide. Plenty of fun to be had on this small stretch of paradise. After the ferry over we paid for a cab ride (of about 1km) to our beautiful sea view room Aby had found on Airbnb. It was so gorgeous, with shutters opening right over the waves kissing our own little beach.

 

We spent four days exploring the pretty isle. One day we cruised the whole island on a scooter, losing the keys on a sandy beach, seeing a 300 year old ceiba tree, swimming in secluded beaches, making new friends. On another day we kayaked on a huge bioluminescent lagoon called 'Mosquito Bay'. These waters are home to organisms named Pyrodinium bahamense, Dinoflagellates (dinos). When these 'dinos' come in to contact with another organism they produce a bright burst of blue light. Running our hands through the water and watching the fish shoot past the kayak covered in these magical organisms was a truly incredible experience. We then got drunk with our tour guide, and got a Puerto Rican 'taxi ride' home. Every day we laughed, a lot.

We took a very short one night trip over to Culebra, another nearlby island located 17 miles east of Puerto Rico. Similar to Vieques, it's a small island with beautiful beaches and nature reserves. It was extrememly sleepy and had a very high number of 'characters' too. Number one on our list is Jerry who ran the Jeep and golf buggy rental place. He was a very dedicated tour guide, giving us a deluge of insight about the island and many quotes for the future ("What would Jerry do?"). Culebra was very quiet indeed and we did some peaceful cruising in our new hired buggy (which went disappointingly slow). We ate dinner at 'Dinghy Dock' one night which served delicious food and offered a perfect water-front location, with entertainment from the huge tarpon eating scraps right beside the dinner tables. After this, we drove to a beautiful beach and picked up a very grateful Argentinian guy who was on a long solo walk back to his campsite. Flamenco beach was gorgeous and empty, butttt the mosquitos were unbearable and we only lasted about ten minutes. Aby had found us another incredible AirBnB stay for the night, a water cottage hanging over a beautiful estuary.

Next day we hung out on a turtle nesting beach and remained horizontal for most of the day. I was tired from all the adventures. Aby heckled me from the water for being a pussycat. We eventually headed up above the airport in the caddy to see the view and had an aeroplane fly in to land right over our heads.

We packed up to go get the ferry and soon realised that every shop and restaurant was closed. So we ate some beans out of a can with a credit card. We keep it classy! On the ferry there was a nice happy family vibe and I fell asleep in Aby's lap. I woke up and chatted to an interesting guy making a video documentary in an attempt to catch a ride to San Juan with him and his mates. Failed. But Aby had found a couple heading to the airport and we shared their cab. We stayed one last night in a hostel, ate dinner at a very pleasant Spanish restaurant, spent too much money, drank too many cocktails and retired to bed.

The next morning we got up late and rushed around to find a place to have our last breakfast together. Not wanting to break the tradition, we indulged in pancakes, eggs  and numerous cups of coffee before dashing back to the hostel to make my cab to the airport. So many lingering beautiful moments were brought to an abrupt end by real life time restraints.

I headed to the US Virgin Islands and Aby made her way back to the UK. It was strange to be apart.

 

 

Doug