So today we left early in the morning to head toward El Yunque - the beautiful pride and joy of Puerto Rico, an outstanding rainforest that's a finalist for the seven natural wonders of the world. We ended up taking a major detour, which led us through an hour drive through the outskirts of the rainforest. It was a nice drive, but it was not where we were supposed to go. Eventually we found our way back though, and we made it to the heart of El Yunque!
Aaaaaand it was closed. =( Irene had caused massive flooding, mudslides, and crashed trees on all the major hiking trails. All we could do was go to the information center, which had a gift shop, a couple exhibits, a cafe, and very short trail that took all of about 5 minutes to walk through. Granted, the tiny bit of the rainforest we did get to see was nice, but we couldn't help but leave just a tad disappointed. Especially considering that the trails aren't expected to be open until next week or later (after we leave). Note to self: when planning a vacation in the tropics during hurricane season, do the best stuff FIRST, not last. lol
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| Some of the tiny bit of El Yunque we got to see. |
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| Wildlife everywhere, per usual. |
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| My friend Fady going Tarzan-status on these jungle vines. |
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| Though not quite the peak of the rainforest, we still got a decent view. |
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| Fed and I outside the visitor's center of El Yunque, and no further. lol |
After our little tease of El Yunque, we stopped in Condado (a city right outside of San Juan, where we went for dinner two nights ago) and ate lunch at a place RIGHT on the water. It was pretty sweet sipping pina coladas to the crash of the ocean waves and a hint of salt water in the air. Tough life, I know, but we're getting used to it. =) We ate paella, which is a large rice dish always served for two, full of all kinds of sea food, as well as plantain fritters on the side. It was delicious, and extremely filling.
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| Sipping pina coladas with an ocean-front view. |
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| Lunch: seafood paella, plantain fritters, and pina coladas. =) |
We also bought a tent today, for when we camp on Vieques and Culebra. Excited about that. Tomorrow we'll be on the Spread Eagle II, a powered sailing catamaran that offers an all-day sailing/snorkeling/eating trip. It sounds like a really great time. Plus I'll continue to get more tan, and Fed will continue to get more brown. lol
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ReplyDeleteWell, you certainly did lots of fun stuff first, even jumping 75 ft from cliffs into water (my heart is racing again remembering) along with everything else that's making all of us so jealous! I guess you'll just have to go back. :) Great pics! Tarzan? lol XXX
ReplyDeletethat paella looks so tasty. nice looking pina colada, too, although i bet it wasn't as alcoholic as mine :) i'm sorry you guys didn't get to see much of El Yunque, better luck on the islands! bought a tent yet?
ReplyDeleteHawken: you are so fuuuuuuny.
ReplyDeleteMom: Yeah we've still done a lot of great stuff, but El Yunque was supposed to be on that list too!
Sharon: Everything was very tasty, but certainly not as alcoholic as yours would be. We did buy a tent at WalMart, though we opted for the 7'x7' tent. =)