As part of the tropical fruit video series we’ve been doing, I decided miracle fruit should be next on the docket. We have three small trees and recently two of them started fruiting!
Miracle fruit berries growing on the tree
Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) is a little different from most of the other fruits of the tropics because the fruit itself is not really so much a food as a food enhancer or transformer. It makes nearly anything sour taste sweet after eating just one berry! The effect on the taste buds lasts a little less than an hour depending on the person.
When Britton and I first tried it, we were amazed and astounded that foods like lemons and limes tasted like lemon merengue and limeade. So we brought a couple of berries to a party and everyone who tried it was also wowed by the powers of this fruit. We did learn that not everything sour should be changed however! At the party wine changed to a flat Dr. Pepper taste and Medalla tasted watered down. The reactions people had to this amazing fruit gave me the idea to get a few friends together to try miracle fruit for themselves. This video is the result. Not only does the video demonstrate the magic of miracle fruit, but it also showcases some of the wonderful and adventurous people who live in/near Rincon. Enjoy.
In addition to the awesome day trips we took to Wilderness, Ponce and Maricao, we also had lots of fun in Rincón at the Spanish Wall, Farmer’s Market, Art Walk, at a couple of events and just hanging out at the house. Here are a few snapshots that didn’t quite make it into a post on their own, but that were pretty cool.
We all love an afternoon catnap
I found this graffiti somewhat ironic because it says to take care of your beach and not leave trash –but apparently graffiti is ok
We listened to reggae on the beach one night
And had fun hula hooping to the beats (Yah Frances and Theresa)
Another night we listened to our friend Jessika rock it with her band at a local bar
Friends come in many shades!
Mosquito nets are helpful in a cabin without doors or windows
And we found the tiniest little hermit crab you’ve ever seen
We thought we’d round out Summer’s first time in Puerto Rico by doing something in the interior mountains. The beaches get much of the fame, but the mountains and what they contain are hidden gems. We asked if she would rather check out a cave or a waterfall, and the choice was emphatically: waterfall! So we decided to try a new one to us: Salto Curet in Maricao.
Salto Curet and me (for scale and fun)
It wasn’t easy to find, however. We were able to make it to the end of the road that it was supposed to be on and then down a very rocky dirt road. But then it crossed the river again and we weren’t about to get the truck stuck, so we set off hiking to find the waterfall.
Britton, Summer and I were walking and walking through bamboo groves- up and up!
We walked and walked, hauling our food, water and clothes. And we kept hiking until both Summer and I had to take a pit stop in the woods (not so easy for women as it is for men). So Britton kept walking ahead to see how much further it was. He was able to move much faster without us and all the crap to carry. Summer and I waited and waited and waited. Finally he came back and said that the road ended at a small house but that there was no waterfall. We ate lunch from the cooler in the middle of the trail and thought about what to do.
Finally, we walked all the way back to the truck and then backtracked but we didn’t see anything. We were just about to leave when we saw another truck full of young guys jumping out. I asked them if they would mind us walking with them to the waterfall since we weren’t having any luck finding it. They were happy to walk and talk (in Spanish) with us. They showed us where the hidden sign was that we had missed along the way.
Salto Curet- Oh, that way!
This is a very hidden waterfall. To access it, you actually have to walk in the river! How cool is that?!
Walk straight down the river
And you will eventually find this:
It was so beautiful and tranquil. When we got there it was raining which made it even more slippery to walk but it also amplified the scene with the rain falling along with the water from the fall. There were shallow parts and deep parts to jump into. The helpful boys hung out and cliff jumped for about an hour and then they left. We had the waterfall and pool all to ourselves, it was pretty amazing. We enjoyed jumping, swimming, climbing and taking photos. It reminded me a little of gorgeous Gozalandia, but not quite as well known and much more off the beaten path.
At one point in the day we didn’t think we would ever find it, but we didn’t give up and that lost and long hike made the crisp water of the cascade even more sweet. A fantastic day.
This week our niece Summer came to visit us. It is always great when we have guests because it gives us a good reason to do some exploring that we otherwise put off due to our projects at the property. Our friends Dan and Theresa spontaneously changed their plans and we all went together to Aguadilla and Wilderness. The day was gorgeous and every picture we took looked like a postcard. We explored the Ponderosa Lighthouse ruins for a while and then we found a great little beach cove where we set up for some snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming and sandwiches. It was an awesome day!
The dirt road we took. Good thing Dan had a 4×4 truck!
The ruins of Faro La Ponderosa. What a cool place! The style reminded me of the Nunn Schoolhouse
Group photo!
Ok, another!
Dan getting vertical with Theresa and Bandit down below (Bandit had a blast!)
Ahoy! I have landed
Garza and palms -there is a reason it is called “Wilderness”
We found this beautiful spot with Flamboyans in bloom and the snorkeling was awesome!
Fantasy island with lots of hidden coves
There was a strong current and wind that took Theresa and I a while to paddle against on the boards. It was gorgeous to look at the shoreline from just a ways offthough
Even Bandit got in on the paddleboarding action!
Solitary palm tree blowing in the breeze
It was a great day trip and I would highly recommend it!
