Often times we say that we don’t have to go work out at a gym or own any exercise equipment because our lifestyle has it built in: our very own jungle gym (literally in the jungle). Well we recently added another piece to the gym and it was all about bench pressing!
We saw some concrete benches at a shop and we loved them because they will last much longer than the metal ones that start corroding/rusting in the rain right away. We got a backless bench for one area, and then decided we would like one with a back. Now that I am carrying more weight (lifting weights) with me everywhere I go (including on the property), I have found I need more places to sit. Plus it just makes the property even more park-like.
Small bench near the tropical gardens
The larger bench (in pieces) we put near the bridge was super heavy and we had to flatten the ground to make it work
But fits right in
Enjoying the new bench
Before we had the bench we just put a chair on the pad as you can see in this walk with Kitty through the jungle. The bench is much better!
A couple of weeks ago we had to go to Manati on the north coast of Puerto Rico to get another sonogram done at Manati Medical Center. Since we were out and about already, we decided to stop and see some of the beaches there. We stopped at Los Tubos as well as Mar Chiquita. They are gorgeous beaches, but the water is surprisingly cooler on the Atlantic side than on our Caribbean side!
Gorgeous, long stretches of beach!
Right off the road
Britton at Los Tubos
Balneario of Los Tubos
Fun, strange creatures at the balneario like this shark (can you find Britton?)
You can escape!
Turtle time!
Not exactly sure what this is? A chupacabra?
The beautiful bay of Mar Chiquita was just down the way about 5 minutes from Los Tubos
This week we decided to check out the Aibonito Festival de las Flores (Flower Festival) with a friend. We have wanted to check out this festival for a long time, but Aibonito is a looong way from Rincon as it turns out (about 2 1/2 hour drive). We went the south way through Ponce and then through a panoramic route through the mountains to reach it. Since we came during the week it wasn’t too crowded and we found free parking close to the festival. The entrance charge was $6 per person. We bought quite a few flowers, though I was expecting a lot more crazy and exotic plants. Maybe it’s because I am a plant person, but there wasn’t too much that I haven’t already seen. I would say it was worth it to go at least once if you haven’t seen it before!
The flowers we were most interested in: Gingers and Heliconias
We got some of these cool varieties
These carnivorous plants are so cool
Hanging out under the shade
Quite a few booths and vendors
Nice bridge and pond in the permanent Festival area
Cool Aibonito sign -Aibonito supposedly was named that when someone arrived and said “Ay, que bonito” or “Oh, wow, how pretty!”
Lots of orchids!
Live music and carnival rides. The Gran Combo is coming to play on Sunday which is a big deal! Also check out how much harder this area of the island was hit by Maria -the trees are still stripped of leaves!
Some music of El Gran Combo
The drive to Aibonito is spectacular!
On the way back we stopped at the Holiday Inn in Ponce for dinner.
Overall, it was an exhausting yet fun day and now we have a bunch of plant starts to get in the ground!
We have been pretty busy lately with doctor appointments for the baby, making a space for him in our cabin, keeping up with the landscaping (Britton has been having to pull a lot of weight, and I have been putting a lot on -haha), Farmer’s Markets and cabana rental activities amongst all the other various things we have to do to keep all the balls in the air (lawn mower repair, car repairs, house maintenance, shopping, etc). Here’s a little glimpse into some of our random life as it grows along.
Putting the crib together. A beautiful gift from a friend!
Snail hitched a ride to the farmer’s market
Some of our flowers and goods at the market
International Folk Dance night in Rincon was fun
These little geckos are everywhere. They have just become part of the background now
A walk through the tropic gardens
Plumeria in bloom smell so good!
Baby belly needed a rest
Croooaaak!
We hadn’t seen the inside of a hospital at all in many years of living here, and now seem to be getting a whole island tour! Mayaguez Medical Center
Britton and one of the friendliest souls in Rincon, Angel
Britton, turkeys and a cute back-up crib that was also a lovely gift
I actually use these scales that are everywhere in Puerto Rico. I also get my horoscope in Spanish! All for a peseta (quarter)
Dragonfly resting on the truck antenna after eating up the skeeters
A cool car and a cool spot by the water
A wild fruit we found growing by the quebrada that I learned is the delicious local named: pomarrosa blanca
Farm grown pomegranate isn’t as big, but is pretty juicy and good!
This guy is so funny! He dresses up as various comic characters and sells popcorn and other snacks around Rincon (that’s got to be hot!)
View from on high when we took a jaunt up the high hills of Rincon to Pico Atalaya to this abandoned property. It’s a steep trek on scary roads, but the vistas are amazing.
Well, that’s it for our little mish-mash of random life updates. You can also check out my latest baby bump update.
Oh and here’s a cute little song we made up one night at home: Enjoy.
Small bench near the tropical gardens
