Colours of Puerto Rico

I love the vibrant fun colours they paint their houses and buildings here! Depicts the people and nation to a T!

Mayaguez.

Boqueron.

Puerto Real

La Parguera

 

Cabo Rojo

Salinas

El Yunque Rain Forest - Puerto Rico

The El Yunque rainforest occupies 29000 acres of Puerto Rico. It is one of the smallest in size, yet one of the most biologically diverse of the national forests hosting hundreds of animal and plant species, some of which are found only here.

"According to ancient Indian Legend, the good spirit 'Yuquiyu' ( or 'Yokahu' ) reigned on his mighty mountain-top throne, protecting Puerto Rico and its people."

It is simply spectacular. Walking trails meander through giant tree ferns and are extremely well maintained. We hiked to the Mount Britton tower!

The views are mind blowing. Water trickles down the rocks into waterfalls and natural pools. 

One of the creatures is The Coquí which is a small 'singing' tree tree frog found nowhere else in the world. The frog population in the rain-forest is one of the densest frog populations in the world. There are 14 species of the tiny Coqui, the 'song' is the mating call and starts every afternoon, increasing in volumn with rainfall. 

The forest is home to the Puerto Rican Parrot, the Boa, the broad winged Hawk and the sharp shinned Hawk. None of which we say unfortunately! All are endangered species found only in Puerto Rico.

It is also home to about 14 species of lizard, 35 species of migratory birds, 7 species of fish, 9 of shrimp and one freshwater crab! Fascinating! We spotted many lizards, fish and a crab or two.

Words do not do the experience justice so here are the photos!

On our way home we found another hidden treasure int the form of Mi Vida cafe! Excellent value for money, delicious food and great service!

  

Britton tower

Isla Caja de Muertos - Puerto Rico

 Isla Caja de Muertos or Coffin Island should not be missed! This uninhabited island is maintained by a rotating group of Rangers. One hikes from white beaches with tourquise waters along paths edged with 10 foot hight cacti. Snakes laze in the sun and slither undercover as you pass by and birds sing out warnings of the human interloper wandering their island. Some of the plants and reptiles found here are endemic to the island.

View

There are a few stories as to how Coffin Island got its name but this is one of my favourites! Rumour has it a Pirate named 'Jose Almeida' fell in love with a married woman on Curacao and visited her regularly between his pirating escapades. When her husband died he went and married her and during their first raid she was killed by a stray bullet! A heartbroken Jose had her embalmed and placed in a glass box in a copper coffin and buried her on the island. He visited the island monthly and would spend time at her grave! He was caught tried and executed for piracy in 1832. On his death other pirates believed he had actually hidden 'real' treasure on the island and set out to recover it. When they found the copper coffin believing it to be full or treasure they set upon each other and fought to the death. The remaining pirate then opened the box and discovering the remains jumped to his death off the cliffs!

Loony tunes!

We hiked up to the old lighthouse, visited the tiny museum and met the head ranger named Orlando! He has been working the island for many years on a week on week off rotation. His son is now diesel mechanic on the ferry that runs day visitors to the island. he was able to identify a 5 foot long snake we had found as a boa that he claims is not endemic and must have been let free here by one of the visitors! The local snakes are the same colour as the boa we saw but only 2 - 3 foot long and also not venemous!

The island is also a turtle reserve and the fenced off beach is off limits to visitors and tourists!

Baby Boa at 5 foot long

Back at the anchorage Dani from Joda rescued a pink Flamingo to cheers and shouts from the people on the beach!

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is simply amazing. It has all the conveniences of America without being Americanized! Think American stores on a tropical island with island folks mentality and island time! This is Puerto Rico.

Properties alongside the marina

We have found the most amazing friendly people. Always ready to help with a smile! Our next stop after Mayaguez was Puerto Real.

Service with a smile

Some marinas barely tolerate 'transients' as they call us cruisers. They grudgingly allow us to use their dinghy docks to get ashore but not much else.

Marina Pescaderia in Puerto Real is not one of those. We were welcomed ashore and invited to use the facilities. Jose is the manager and son of the owner who is also Jose. He speaks good English and is very willing to answer questions and assist in any way possible. The second day we were there we approached the office (Jose jnr had travelled to Dominican Republic to set up reciprocity with another marina) to find out where we could refill our gas (propane) cylinder. Jose senior, who speaks no english, happened to be there checking on things in the marina. When he heard what we wanted, he loaded us into his vehicle and drove us about 20 minutes to get it done. He refused money for fuel as thanks. The total of our conversation en route and back was him stating with great pride "Me father (of) Jose"

Fuel 'dialysis' 

It was here the local diesel company cleaned our tanks and polished the fuel.

Tank cleaning

Wandering around the area later a man stopped and asked if he could help in anyway, was there something we were looking for? We told him we were just looking around and he went on his way. The next morning we had decided to try the local bakery for their renowned breakfast. A full breakfast and coffee with refill cost us $12.68. Here we met the same man from the day before and started chatting. He had worked with Delta airline in USA as a Stewart for 40 years and had retired and returned home. His was originally from San Juan but had fallen in love with the laid back pace of Puerto Real. We had told him we were going to walk after breakfast to pick up fallen mango's in the street. He insisted on taking us back to his house where he had a huge mango tree and invited us to pick what we wanted! Mango chutney was the result!

Love the house colours!

The house he rents is two bedroom, one bathroom and and open plan kitchen sitting room. It is small but lovely in a garden full of fruit trees. The rental only $300 a month!

Finally time had come to leave this happy anchorage and in parting Jose jnr gave us his private cell phone number is case we had questions or needed a translator after we left them stating we could call him anytime.

This is Puerto Rico!