VAMOS a PUERTO RICO !!!!

The much awaited 2012 Thanksgiving vacation was a reality and the destination was Puerto Rico! Why Puerto Rico? After a lot of thought on which place to go for we decided on a place which had of course the scenic beach, blue water, rain forest, adventures, casinos and a great Spanish influenced old town. I felt this was a very unique combination and had so much to offer. Hence VAMOS a PUERTO RICO !!!!

There was a lot of excitement. In a small group of four we decided to explore Puerto Rico.
It was a Wednesday night
red eye flight from San Francisco to Washington DC followed by a shorter flight from DC to San Juan, PR. After a lot of time spent in planning the trip we were clear on the agenda that we wanted to follow. We decided to stay in a relatively cheap hotel on near Ashford avenue right on the beach itself. It was a great view from the hotel but unfortunately the hotel was not as good as I anticipated. In fact folks with me did not like it. To be honest the hotel added to the whole experience. Small rooms, small bathroom, not so good furniture but to top it all it had a fantastic ocean front viewJ.  

From the cold November San Francisco weather, San Juan offered us a great humid 85 F weather with showers in the eveningJ. It was bliss and reminded me of my beloved city Mumbai. We went to the old town on the first day itself and what greeted us were the small Barcelona kind streets flanked with old residential buildings. There was a lot of color; every building was of different color. Lots of restaurants. Predominantly there were Puerto Rican / Mexican / Spanish restaurants. Being a veggie I had some challenges but there would always be a place where they could give you a veggie burritoJ.

On the following day we had an early rise. We were scheduled for a half day adventure trip with Batey ziplines at 9 AM in the morning. This place was about 90+ mins away from our hotel. We packed up starbucks coffee and bagel and drove to this unknown place. Thanks to our GPS we lost our way in between which did not help the cause but again that added to the excitement and the whole experience. Somehow we managed to get on the right track but as and how was reached closer to the end point the GPS would not locate the destination and we had to find out own way. With several phone calls to the zipline company we managed to proceed atleast with the hope that we were heading the right way cause the road that was leading to the the destination, did not seem like a road to me.. haha but it was exciting to travel through that road. Finally we made it where the guides were waiting for us. Quickly we were given helmets and we hopped onto a pickup truck to begin our adventure. There were 6 ziplines, 1 rapple, water cave and river crossing on the menu. Pretty exciting. The path that was taken by the pick up truck was un-imaginable. A super steep slope heading downwards on a wet soil road in the middle of a jungle. A brave dog Santo accompanied us throughout the trip. First task was to cross a completely man made bridge which crossed the river. Only 2 people could cross at a time. It was very very shaky but was excitement to cross it. It was really good. We walked for a while and we reached our first zipline station. There were back to back 6 ziplines (fast, slow, long, short, on a height, low). The first one was a bit tricky as you don’t know what to expect, but once you feel comfortable its great fun. However more than the zipline I like the one and only rapple. It was a 70 + feet drop. Its beyond imagination how hot the rope gets if you don’t’ do the rapple correctly. I certainly did not. I help the rope too tight and it heated a hell lot. Once we were done we reached the river that we had crossed via the bridge initially. There were small boats waiting for us to go ride into the water cave. It was fun. Right in the middle of the jungle surrounded by lots of trees, and a bridge going on top of you, it was a brilliant sight and oh by the way we were all in water having fun after the adventureJ. Finally we crossed the river and hopped back on to the pickup truck went over that same scary road and reached back to the start point of the tour. The trip would not have been the same without the fun element added by Santo. It was one of the most memorable adventure moment after skydiving ;).  Back to the hotel, some food, some beach, stroll on Ashford ave. and finally retired with casino J

Following day was the rain forest trip. This was the least planned part of the trip. We knew we wanted to go the el yunque rainforest but what to do where to go nothing was planned. We took a random shot on the GPS and started our journey onto to realize we are about 45 mins in a different direction. We reached some other part of the rainforest and had to traverse through it to reach to the other end where the mainroad was. This added to our experience. Surrounded by trees, on a tiny road, I could only see our car.. haha. We were not doing so good on the fuel either. Finally we did some more research and figured out the possible entrance to the rainforest and tried out that route. It turned out to the right one. We reach the first water fall. The rainforest was very beautiful. Being the first rainforest I ever visited it was a very very unique experience. Trees, Trees and more trees, with moist air and a light drizzles just about all the time in the rainforest. It was a heavenly feel. Moved on to a lighthouse tower in the middle of the rainforest. Once on top of the tower you could see yourself surrounded by the rainforest and on the horizon you would see the Puerto Rico coast line and the Atlantic ocean. What a delightful picture it was. Its imprinted in my mind and I doubt if I can forget it ever. Following this tower we had a 40 minute hike in the jungle to reach another waterfall. I cannot express it in words how it was the best hike of my life. In the middle of the rainforestJ.

Once out of the forest we checked into Fajardo. As soon as we checked in we had a wonderful dinner at a hotel, again it was veggie burrito for me but I just love it so it was greatJ. We ate the dinner in less than 15 mins precisely only to reach for our next adventure on time. It was the time for a night kayak in the bio-bay. We barely made it to the kayaking point. We were the last ones to reach the spot out of the total of 40 on the tour. So there were 20 kayaks, 40 people at 8:30 PM into the bay and it was DARK! We rowed for about 15 mins to reach at the start of the water channel. I knew how to kayak and so did my wife so we had a very comfortable ride but the folks who did not know were having a hard time as the tour was long and it was dark. However it was fun. It was a very narrow channel, completely dark and we had to cross it. Once kayak followed by the other in one single line. The channel was covered naturally with trees, at times you would bump into the tree branches. Someone messes up and they bump into you, traffic coming in from the other side; oh ya it was a lot of fun. The best part was that when you row the water glows. This was the bioluminescent bay of Puerto Rico. The channel finally ended and opened up in an open bay. It was amazing how you moved out hand in the water and it would naturally glow. Apparently there are micro-organisms in that water that emit light when moved.  I threw some water on my leg and it sparkled for a split second. No kidding here! The tour lasted about 90+ mins. Tired and exhausted, back to the hotel, retired after playing pool.

After all the adventure that took place on the previous two days, this was to relax and enjoy the beach and the sun. We were all set to check out early in the morning and catch a 9 AM ferry to Culebra island only to realize that our chances of getting a ticket for the ferry was ZERO. The receptionist informed us that the tickets are always sold out much earlier since Culebra is a famous island and a hot tourist spot + it was a Sunday. We took our chance, we did not get the 9 AM ferry but they had a special service at 10:30 AM and we just got lucky. On the deck of the cruise we hopped on and what a sight it was. From being surrounded by the green of the rainforest, now you are in the blue of the great Atlantic ocean. Oh yes! 60 min ride and touch down Culebra island! First stop Flamenco beach. Second stop Flamenco beach. Last stop Flamenco beach. We never got out of that beach. It was one of the best beach I have seen. We spent 2-3 hours in water, sometime on the sand and some time for food. There may be other beaches which may line up to be the best. For sure I would not mind south beach Miami ;) but this one had its different feel and charm. It was a great way to relax. It was needed.  Back in the ferry and the drive back to San Juan. Stroll on Ashford, dinner on Ashford and then the wonderful rain. Repaired the flat tire too and finally retired at the casino.

Final day! Had to go back to the lovely old town and visited the Del Morro fort. The fort is good no doubt but the scenery around is mind boggling. Lush green lawn, brownish fort and dark blue sea with light blue sky and no clouds. What a sight. Finally did some last mind souvenir shopping, some quick lunch and back to the airport.  And then started the ever so long flight journey back home.

Why Puerto Rico? After a lot of thought on which place to go for we decided on a place which had of course the scenic beach, blue water, rain forest, adventures, casinos and a great Spanish influenced old town. I felt this was a very unique combination and had so much to offer. Hence VAMOS a PUERTO RICO !!!! and yes it was a great choice.