Tag Archives: Church

San German Adventure to Porta Coeli and Waterfall Charco La Cabra

It had been a long while since we last visited San German and Porta Coeli church. Every time we’ve gone there, it has been closed. But this time, we lucked out! We got to tour the inside and even heard ghost stories. It cost $5 per person which seemed a bit high for how small the church is, but it’s good to help keep it and the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena going. It is one of the oldest churches in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean in general so it was nice to see that it hadn’t been damaged by the recent earthquakes. I learned that Porta Coeli is pronounced Cheli and that it means the door to heaven! As we were there, they were setting up for the jazz night in the plaza that happens pretty regularly on Thursday nights.

Outside the church

Inside the cathedral that is only very rarely used

I loved the arched doorways

Through the arch you can see the old colonial town

We enjoyed walking around downtown to the other church area

Here’s the full video:

Next up in our day trip, we thought we would check out Charco El Pilon in San German. From the map it looked like it was only about 20 minutes from the downtown. However, once we got on the road, and especially as we entered the natural forest reserve we realized this was going to be a much more difficult drive and require a 4×4 vehicle. So we decided to stop and walk around a bit in the jungle near a river when lo and behold, we found another beautiful waterfall! Later I asked what waterfall it could be and it is called Charco La Cabra, a very unknown little fall and pool. It is always so cool to find the off-the-road waterfalls because places like Gozalandia are now getting WAY too crowded and touristy.

Walking into Charco La Cabra

I didn’t see any cabras (goats) but we did see a cow, a duck and a pig!

Scrambling over rocks in the river

Britton at La Cabra

A cool natural grotto we found

Chillin’ riverside

It was a wonderful day out and we’ll be back to search for Charco El Pilon and Charco La Iglesia in San German soon!

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Around the Finca, Moca, Festival de Chinas, Isabela and More

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Aeden is too cool for photos

Whew. Lots to update. We have been doing a variety of projects around the farm including finding new plants and building a new staircase into the jungle. When we’re not working on the farm or cleaning or repairing the cabana or cabin, we go out into the world and try to find new adventures. We like to stay around the west side because we can make a day trip out of it and still get back by dark to keep to Aeden’s sleep schedule. Here are a few moments caught on camera recently.

Another beachy day in Rincon – Playa Lala is now a favorite here

Fun at Villa Cofresi with the babe

From eggs we came to eggs we sit

Isabela, PR with the moon and all

We filled one of our largest single orders of flowers!

I love making the bouquets

Aeden has many adoptive aunts and uncles like Carlos and Maribel from the market

Photo bombed by a cow and a bird 🙂

Cool church in Moca

Just chillin’, kickin’ back on Mom’s lap

Aeden’s making his mark! In the new cement stairs!

Lots of hard work!

Silly boys at the beach

First time in a swing! He’s getting so big!

He has even gone swimming, underwater!

And had his first real bath -in the kitchen sink!

Cool leaves on a plant. I think this is a rattlesnake flower

Our monstera plant fruited!

Immature and mature monstera fruit! Tasted like pineapple and banana with a slight bite. You have to be careful not to eat them immature or it will burn your mouth.

Our prettiest ginger yet!

The Festival de la China was a bit of a bust! Super rainy!

I thought it was funny they were selling oranges in onion bags though!

And I was amazed at the variety of oranges (and bananas) one can grow

Aloha! A fun day in Isabela

Britton and Aeden in Isabela

Family fun

Two cuties

“Still round the corner there may wait a new road or a secret gate”

This little guy melts my heart!

We walked this LOOONG boardwalk in Isabela -windy, hot and dry but very beautiful. Would be a great bike ride

Fun with friends from Colo. It’s weird to “remember when.” It seems so long ago now

This just happened. I always call him my little monster and then I saw this onesie at the flea market and I was wearing basically the same thing and then we ate at an El Meson that had this colored wall. Serendipity-do-dah!

Latest update from the farm about baby Aeden (on the new stairs!)

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Explorations near Joyuda: Modern Ruins and Hidden Coves

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With the baby, we have found that we need to get out of the house and property more than ever. We have a sort of routine where we stay in one day and go for a drive the next. Sometimes it’s every two days or so, but we like to get out so we don’t feel like all we do is work around the property and take care of the little guy. This last week we did some explorations around the Joyuda area. Joyuda is between Mayaguez and Cabo Rojo. We take the cool backroad of 102 to have an ocean drive. We made it back to one of our favorite spots: Punta Ostiones also know as La Playita.

Area of Punta Ostiones

Trails

Secluded Coves

Postcard beach scenes

Me and Aeden in one of the coves -he loves to kick the water!

Noni fruit growing wild -edible and medicinal but very yucky tasting!

Hermit crab on shucked coconuts

Exploring through the Ostiones trails of coconuts and mangroves

We also briefly checked out a cool abandoned juvenile detention center that is now a mountain bike riding course. It was cool in a spooky way. Then we went back another day with friends and explored more.

When we stumbled upon an old abandoned church that is being reclaimed by the jungle!

Creepy hallways of the old buildings -now used to play “Gotcha” or paintball

In the doorway to the church

Me and Aeden on the altar

Down the stairs

We’re off again! Grab the kid! Firewoman carry! 🙂

With friend Laura exploring the southern part of the trails

Aeden can keep his head up now which makes walking with him easier

A group of us exploring the ruins

Creepy hallways! “We’re watching!”

Britton and Aeden near the church

I did another photoshoot with Laura there. I can’t wait to see her results!

Later we stopped by the Gato Negro right on the water in Joyuda and watched the birds and tarpon fighting over fish scraps

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Summer and Brandom Fun

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First time at the beach in PR for Brandom!

We’ve been having fun with our niece Summer and her boyfriend. We were at Pollo Tropical and they asked his name for the order. He said “Brandon” but they couldn’t understand him and put “Brandom” instead. So that is his new name and I am sure everything has been very Random for Brandom seeing as this is his first time to Puerto Rico!

The mustang is still out of commission so we had to pick them up in the truck!

Fun in Ponce at the famous Parque de Bombas

We’ve shown them around Rincón a little and took a trip to Ponce because Summer enjoyed it the last time she was here visiting us. Today we are off on more adventures with them, so stay tuned!