Daily Archives: January 12, 2016

Crashboat Beach and Harry the Pelican Whisperer

Sean liked our Rincón beach day so much we thought we might take him to another nearby beach: Crashboat in Aguadilla. The last time we were there we were just exhausted and didn’t have much time to enjoy it.

Crashboat
Crashboat from the lookout point

This time we came prepared. We brought our cooler full of cold drinks, chairs, swimsuits, towels and snorkel gear. We also stopped in Aguada at the best little pollo al carbon spot for some awesome chicken and mashed viandas.

Crashboat with Sean
Fun times with our friend

We enjoyed eating, drinking and playing on the beach. There are always a lot more people at Crashboat than most beaches, and it added to the social and good-spirited vibe of the place. People are playing music, bouncing volleyballs around, jumping off the piers into the water, surfing the small breaks and laying in the sun.

Crashboat from the pier
Crashboat from the pier looking toward the coastline

As for us, we walked around for a while, swam, snorkeled and laid in the sun. It was a beautiful warm January day.

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Britton snorkeling

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Before I jumped off the pier into the ~80 degree F water with Britton

Britton and Sean palm tree
Britton and Sean on an island in the sun

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Surfers catching small waves

Sandy leg
And me catching some golden rays on golden sand

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“Hey, look over there!” Says Britton as I get pummeled by a wave

One of the coolest things we saw, however, was a man called Harry the Pelican Whisperer and his friendly flock of pelicans. He has trained these wild birds by throwing them fish and shrimp. This was quite the hit with everyone. They will do various tricks for him like spin in circles or jump up on people’s arms. To hold them he just asks for a donation of your choice or to buy something from him. Pretty cool guy. He knows each of them by name and talks to them in both Spanish and English. Bilingual pelicans! To get this up close and personal with the pelicans was a very cool experience. I pet them a little too. Their neck feathers feel almost like fur and their faces up close look like Dr. Seuss characters.

Cassie and Harry the Pelican Whisperer
Harry, Me and a Pelican

Pelican close up
Friendly pelican

Cassie and 2 pelicans
I was able to hold two at a time! Their web feet are so weird to feel

Some people were a little afraid, but I think since we have chickens and turkeys we are less intimidated by birds.


Harry and the Pelicans in action

Crashboat beach
Playa Crashboat

Later on that evening back in Rincón we played music with the band and then at around 11pm stopped by Surfer Spot for The.Best.Cheeseburger. Ever! So, so good. Now I understand why Jimmy Buffett wrote a song about a cheeseburger. Seriously. A fantastic day.

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