In January of 2023 we took a few local trips around Aguadilla, Lares, Cabo Rojo, and more. In Lares we even stopped at the spot that we had at one point in time nearly bought! What nostalgia that brought up. So many moments of waiting, wishing and hoping for a life in Puerto Rico. And now we live it every day, albeit in a different area of Puerto Rico. 2023 marks a full 10 years since we made the giant leap to move our life completely. Interesting the twists and turns of fate and choice.
A cool spot in Aguadilla
Standing in front of what we used to call “Awilda’s” Place. The farm we nearly bought in Lares
Hacienda Rullan in Lares
Charco La Valentina in Lares
Rincon!
A new ice cream place in Rincon by the Marina called “Wabbles”
We love Cabo Rojo and especially this area by the lighthouse. We spent a day at the pink salt flats and Playa Sucia dressed as Mama Shark and Baby Shark!
Later this month we took a trip to the deep mountains of Orocovis, one of the highest altitude cities in Puerto Rico. Here we stayed at a little house that had a waterfall in the backyard! We had a great time playing in the river even though it was super chilly water since it can get much colder high in the mountains especially in January. We also climbed a mountain called Cerro Mime which is named that because of all the gnat flies at the top. But what an incredible view!! We also took a looong hike in the rain through the Toro Negro forest to the tiny little tower at the top.
Closer to home we finished an adventure we had started back in August 2021. We returned to Charco Carmelas in San Sebastian with some friends to walk up the river and find the twin falls! This is quite an adventure as you have to swim through canyons and walk literally in the river to reach the end point where there are two waterfalls side by side. The river was a little dry compared to when we first found the river in August, but it was still super beautiful!
We spent some time at home at the farm planting and harvesting flowers and fruit, at the beach with friends and other spots in our daily life routine. We also went to a funeral of a good friend and neighbor which was heartbreaking.
Thankfully 2020 is behind us and the future is looking brighter than before.
These first few months of the year have been productive and interesting as we explore more of the island. Some of the places we’ve gone are new and others are revisits. All along the way I have learned more and more. I have been enjoying making the videos for Youtube and learning new editing techniques and we’ve been practicing more with a drone (eventually we hope to get one of our own). The direct sales flower business is fairly steady even if the farmer’s market is still not open in the plaza (there is a small market at a storage facility in Rincon). We’ve also kept super full in the cabana (you would not think there was any slow down at all in travel if our cabana was any indication!) and so we also keep up with maintenance and cleaning. Additionally, we have finally fully torn down the old shed out front and are nearly complete with the tiki-hut/gazebo that is in its place. Overall things are definitely looking much better than they did, say, 11 months ago!
Christmas Day at the farm
A visit to Cayey the Pork Highway and the Bosque Carite’s Abandoned Jail!
Nice kick-off to 2021 watching fireworks and then checking out the photogenic tunnels of Rincon
Daytrip to Cabo Rojo -Lighthouse and Poblado de Boqueron with our friend Heidi
Fun new waterhole in Aguada/Rincon!
Around the farm and Rincon- Tiki Hut construction
Day trip to Isabela -Pozo de Jacinto and Playa El Pastillo
An Awesome Project in the high hills of Atalaya Rincon/Aguada -Salto de la Loca!
New Explorations in San Sebastian -Cueva de Lagrimas!
We continue to update our life mostly on Youtube and Instagram now, but I figured I would put together a long post of the last 3 or 4 months or so. I have peppered in some of the videos here, but check out the channel for lots more! Life has been a little more stable lately than it was in the spring and summer and we, like most people, are pandemic fatigued. But we’ve been staying busy and healthy going on outdoor explorations and working on the farm. Thankfully daycare has been open since the summer so that really took a lot of pressure off. Maybe because of all the talk of dying, we have felt the YOLO sentiment even more and have seen more of this island in this last year than ever before. Every time I think we have “seen it all” there is something new! This island truly is the “Island of Enchantment!”
Fun in Aguada
Lots of fun in the gardens and even got to play with butterflies!
Incredible Sunsets!
We tore down the old shed, built a new shed/wash room and are starting to build a new tiki hut/gazebo in the old space! It has taken a lot of work and time, but poco a poco we’re almost finished!
Swimming with a sea turtle and lots of fish at Pena Blanca
You have to check out the sea turtle underwater footage in this video! Start at 8:30 if you don’t want to watch the whole video but want to see the turtle! Super magical moment!
Abandoned Youth Detention Facility in Cabo Rojo
Fun random moments, flowers, bananas, friends, abandoned buildings, tarantulas
Ermita San Antonio
Fun excursions around Isabela including Royal Isabela and the Guajataca Tunnel
Fun with family who were visiting
Visit to a waterfall and molino in Maricao
Playa Buye is so buyetiful haha
Playa Buye in Cabo Rojo
Good times in Aguadilla: Crashboat, Cerro Cabrera and More even though we had to deal with a traffic ticket (dark tint)
Fun on Halloween
Cool new waterfall: Charca el Zumbo in San Sebastian!
Stopping by downtown Cabo Rojo after a Dr Appt
Cool Bridge in Morovis called “Puente Mata de Platano”
A Super Unique Experience to see an Abandoned Castle in Morovis
More good times that I don’t take for granted anymore: Thanksgiving, haircuts, flower deliveries
Awesome cave to explore: Cueva del Viento in the Bosque Estatal de Guajataca!
Photoshoots to keep up the creativity
Visit to a Gothic Cemetery (San Rafael)
Checking out a cool Hacienda (Casona Amador) including an interview with the owner!
And Barrio Charcas of Quebradillas with its Parque Jibaro
And the Portal de Los Reyes and the Cantina Custer also in Quebradillas
More flowers, gardens and out and about in RIncon
And that just about catches us up!
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for a much better 2021!
