Category Archives: Tropical

Wild Guajataca Adventure: Trip to Two Tunnels, Indian Head, Ermita and More


Tunel Negro…is so dark and quietly spooky!

We have been trying to get out at least once a week for an island exploration. And while we don’t mind going to some of our favorites, we LOVE finding new ones. We had been to the Guajataca Tunnel a long while ago, but we heard about another more challenging tunnel nearby called the Tunel Negro which means Black Tunnel. It is called this because it is long enough to become completely pitch black in the middle unlike the shorter and lighter Guajataca tunnel near the beach.


As we approached Tunel Negro

The trailhead was surprisingly easy to find (coming from Rincon it is just off the 2 on the right side before the lookout point which would be on the left). We were the only ones parked by an abandoned little kiosk and headed off down the trail. It was somewhat challenging mostly because of all the fallen trees that still were down since Maria I am guessing. Otherwise, it was flat and nice although we did need to watch for carrasco and other stinging plants a little. There were also some offshoot trails going up the mountain and down to the lake. We scrambled up a bit to see a lookout, but didn’t go too far. Maybe someday we can go all the way into the river. It looked beautiful from on high.


The lake down below

After that we also went to the other “easy” tunnel for a few pictures and also stopped by the Taino Indian Head. As we were headed back I saw a sign for Ermita San Antonio Historic Site so we took a quick detour there as well. Overall, it was a really fun and fulfilling day. Check out the video for the full adventure!


Taino Indian Head Monument on Highway 2 off Isabela

Monument to Cacicato de Mabodamaca

Mabodamaca was a chief (Cacique) of the Taino Indians (a subgroup of Caribbean Arawaks) that lived on the island of Boriken (the ancient name for the island of Puerto Rico). Chiefs had the privilege of wearing a golden pendant called a guani, which immediately distinguished him as the leader among the people. Local legend has it that during an ongoing battle with the Spanish invaders, Cacique Mabodamaca led his people up the Guajataca River and they disappeared into Puerto Rico’s central mountain range but along the way he lost his golden pendant and it remains embedded in the island forever as does the memory of his bravery.


On the path of the Guajataca Tunnel


On the drive in- What beauty peeking through these walls!


Some of the murals and artwork at Guajataca Tunnel have been updated


At the overlook stop where down below you can see the Guajataca Tunnel


Ermita San Antonio of the Antiguo Pueblo “Tuna”

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Life Updates: Around the Farm and Town

Life has been swinging right along.

We continue working on our flower business. We have more demand than supply so that’s always a great recipe for expanding and planting more and more. Something we love to do anyway!


Our flowers at a wedding!


Our flowers on display!


More and more flowers on their way!


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Animals are doing well


We’ve taken some time for beach days


Freshest coconut water from the crew down the road!

We continue to host our cabana for rent and have had some really fun guests such as ethnobotanist and author Maria Benedetti and competitive surfer Dominque Miller stay with us!


Dominique and her mother at the Rincon Farmer’s Market

We’ve been out hunting more waterfalls and found a nice close one in Anasco that is also an abandoned park!

 

 
At Salto La Encantada

Aeden keeps getting bigger and bigger and has even started walking a little! We also have put him in daycare a few days a week which has opened up our time quite a bit in order to manage our businesses (and just get a breather). He seems to enjoy the socialization time that he doesn’t get being with us 24/7.


Approximately one year apart! My how he has changed!


Aeden enjoying some play time at school


Dress code at home: No shirt, no shoes, no problem!

Sugarcane in bloom

Well, that about covers everything new in our world. Hope all’s well in yours!

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The Story of the Love Castle


With the owner of the Love Castle, Don Cuchi Carrero

I had the recent pleasure of talking with the owner of the “Love Castle” or the conch house in Rincon. I have written briefly about this strangely cool place before, but I never knew the back story. We just happened to run into the owner one day and struck up a conversation and got it on video. It turns out he is looking to sell it although he is still (and always) doing more work to it!

Check it out!

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Girls’ Trip to Old San Juan

A bit ago, I took a wonderful trip sans baby nor hubby with some girl friends to Old San Juan! I actually hadn’t been to Old San Juan since our honeymoon trip over a decade ago, so it was about time! I have a tendency to avoid large cities and San Juan in general sort of freaks this country girl out with all the traffic, crowds, toll roads, parking fees, tall buildings and easy-to-miss exits. But thankfully my friend Missy took the lead and coordinated the whole thing! We got a nice Airbnb right in the heart of OSJ and drove together in her large comfy van. We only stayed one night but it was nice to get a feel for the place again.


Under the umbrellas in Old San Juan

Old San Juan has such a cool vibe to it, that it is hard to explain. Old and modern, hip and vintage at the same time. I was a little sad that our Airbnb had completely renovated and removed the classic black and white tile floors from the apartment because that and some of the hidden little courtyards make that area so famous. There were still some remnants of the political “Ricky Renuncia” campaign, but otherwise it was in beautiful shape. I finally saw the umbrella display at La Fortaleza and enjoyed walking the old blue cobblestone roads again. Here are some pictures of our time there. Thanks to friends Ricia and Paz also for some of these great shots!


Pigeon on a statue, broken shoe from so much walking, winky girls at Chocobar Cortes


Piraguas, cool arquitecture, and the house of the original Pina Colada


Columbus Oblisque, Catholic Church, Cat Chairs at the garitas


Fun with friends, cobblestones, cool scenes and full moon over el Morro!


Art display and out on the town with the ladies!


View from the Airbnb apt and coffee in the morning


Good food and friends at Chocobar Cortes (chocolate infused mofongo tacos!?)


Street scenes


More Viejo San Juan


La Fortaleza Umbrellas


The old and the new side by side. History is built in layers

It was a wonderful trip and we’re hoping to make it happen more regularly!

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