This was such an adventure-filled weekend! Today, M. and I drove to Barranquitas, a small town in the mountains. She had never been there before and, of course, neither had I! Luckily, we both have great map-reading skills (okay...so we had to ask for directions twice too). We made it there in about an hour and 45 minutes via narrow, winding roads along the mountainside (most without a dividing center line)! [Map]
We went to Barranquitas to eat at a restaurant called La Vecindad del Chavo with a few of her high school friends. It had delicious comida criolla (traditional Puerto Rican food). The family-friendly atmosphere was great. While waiting, there was a live band outside playing salsa music that many people were dancing to. Once patrons finished their meals, they went outside and danced some more! Here are some fotos from the restaurant:
The restaurant was named after the popular Mexican television show El Chavo del 8.
This is what the restaurant looks like from the outside.
Los cantantes de salsa were very entertaining.
Finally, this is what I ate at the restaurant!
After we left the restaurant, we stopped to enjoy the sights and sounds of the river that flows through the mountains, el Rio de la Plata. It is the longest river on the island. I recorded video so you can experience the beauty of the river and its surroundings, too!
Trip of the Day: Palmas del Mar Resort in Humacao, Puerto Rico [Map]
It took about an 45 minutes to an hour to get there on the autopista (highway).
Best part of the trip: Eating lightly-fried caught-that-day chillo (red snapper) outside on a picnic table with a gorgeous view of the marina, the Caribbean, and Vieques Island in the distance. ¡Delicioso!
Runner-up: All of the lovely Mediterranean-style architecture. (That's the best style if you ask me!)
I didn't take any pictures because my camera was at my apartment but here's a link to the Palmas del Mar website. There are plenty of pictures on there.
After seeing My Life in Ruins (great movie) at the Fine Arts Cinema in Hato Rey with M., we went to elParque Central (deMunicipiode San Juan). It's a 35-acre urban park filled with walking trails, a children's park, art sculptures, numerous tennis and racquetball courts, as well as a full length track (painted blue!) and a natatorium. It's a fantastic place to go when you want to escape from the hustle-and-bustle of city life whether by exercising or just taking a stroll amid nature! When you visit San Juan, you should check it out! [Map]
One of the art sculptures in the park is a giant red jack.
Here's a view of one of the many walking trails within the park.
Tennis is growing in popularity among PuertoRicans. There are twenty courts in this park.
Here's a view of their natatorium from the outside. It was closed by the time we got there so I wasn't able to see inside but there's always next time!
This morning I went to la playa de Piñones (Piñones Beach), located in the town and municipality of Loíza, con mi familia puertorriqueña. We went after breakfast because it's cooler outside and there are less people there at that time. We left around 11pm just when the crowds were coming. It was so beautiful...I can't wait to go back! [Map]
Today, I went to Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan) con mi familia puertorriqueña. [Map]
We visited la Parque de las Palomas (Pigeon Park) where you can buy birdseed to feed the pigeons. From the park you can also see the former La Princesa jail and a great view of the old city and the harbor. Here's a map that was in the park that shows points of interest in VSJ.
I also had my first piragua (flavor: parcha/passion fruit) while in Viejo San Juan. A piragua is a Puerto Rican snowcone except it's in the shape of a pyramid and is not eaten with a spoon. Best of all, it's sold year-round as long as the piragüero (piragua vendor) feel it's hot enough to make a profit! These mobile carts can be found all over the island in areas with high foot traffic.
It was a fun outing for my first full day in Puerto Rico!
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