February 24th, 2016
My friends, Cindi and Jody, on their first trip to Puerto Rico, found the island very charming. When you visit with a local you get a different perspective. The people, the island, the food take a different meaning. So, this was our second day in Puerto Rico. We stayed in the areas of Old San Juan, Condado, and the northeastern side of the island.
 Luquillo Beach On this Thursday, we took off for the area of Luquillo Beach. It was around 1 p.m. when we stopped to eat at La Parrilla. La Parrilla is #2 Kiosk out of about 60 that have been in this stretch of Luquillo Beach, right next to the famous Balneario Monserrate. They have been there as long as I can remember. They have also evolved, keeping their very relaxed open air dining. Some have seating, others you just stand and eat local Crab Tacos, Alcapurrias, Pastelillos and all that wonderful grub that you don’t eat on a daily basis.
We were on the look out for Caribbean lobsters. You know, when I lived in Puerto Rico I thought the local lobster was the best. Living in Delaware…I totally love the Maine lobster. But this particular search for a grilled lobster had me excited about tasting again that sweet local PR lobster.
So we picked our 5 pound lobster right from the tank. Here we were.
 
Okay once that was done, a little Sangria for the group. What a job!!
Our open air seating was perfect. If you look closely you can see Jody, Cindi, and my cousin, Sonia, on the right hand side.
We ordered the Sample Boricua for a little tasting. Filled potatoes, mini piononos, corn sticks, and fried Puertorican cheese. Knowing we were having a full lunch we had a light breakfast. You have to plan when eating in PR.
That 5 lb lobster was to be shared. We ordered Puertorican rice and beans and the tostones, also known as fried plantains. The grilled flavor was so distinct and as you can see we loved it all.
Why dessert was ordered, I don’t know. We were completely satisfied but a sweet ending of not 3 Leches Cake but 4 Leches Cake was a must. It is vey Spanish and usually served at all restaurants. Sweet, delicious and very fattening.
The Luquillo Beach Kiosks are great because you have options, even though a lot serve the same local food. Some families have owned their kiosk for so many years. At night you may find some offering local music entertaining and during the week-ends they are very crowded.
Please note that La Parrilla is on social media. Their website is http://www.laparrillapr.com.
Second stop was a drive through El Yunque. This is the only tropical rain forest in the national forest system. 29,000 acres, is is one of the most biologically diverse of the national forests. Please call 787-888-1880 for more info. the Forest is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Also, you may visit http://www.elyunque.com.
A stop at La Coca Falls. The temperature already had come down. It can get quite cool and humid as you go up the Forest.
For day trip tours, please visit http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com.
Have a great day…..Next? The Bioluminescent Lagoon in Cabezas de San Juan in Las Croabas.
January 5th, 2014
It has been a long time since my children went outdoors to get grass for the camels and put cookies out for The Three Wise Men; it has been, definitely, much longer since I did that myself growing up in the island of Puerto Rico. The presents we got were more like stocking stuffers, and were left under the bed. The camels used to make such a mess!! Too bad we have to grow up!!
Puerto Rico celebrates all holidays in a big way. Their Christmas season starts early and ends on February 2nd with the Octavitas, which are the 8 days after Three Kings Day. You might as well wait until all that is done with because the term “manana” takes a different meaning.
Three Kings Day is also a Christian Feast Day; the Epiphany, with origins in the Eastern Christian Church. Epiphany means manifestation or appearance. This is a celebration of Jesus’ birth and the visit of the Three Wise Men, who were Persian priests.
If you are visiting Puerto Rico you are lucky because this is the best time of the year to really enjoy the “comida criolla”. Puerto Rican food has its own flavors…the spices are amazing.
The foods to look out for and I am going to be missing here, in Delaware, are:
Pasteles – these look like tamales, but no comparison whatsoever. My grandmother made the best. They take a long time. Made with plantains or yuca or casava. The filling is made out of meat or chicken. I prefer the pasteles that have olives, capers, chickpeas, and well seasoned as well. You can find pasteles year-round but they really show off during the holidays.
If you are in South Florida you can find Puerto Rican food at Benny’s. Two locations. I have been to the one on 2500 S.W. 107 # 1, Miami, FL 33165. Tel. 305-227-1232. The other location is at 295 NW 82 Ave., Miami, FL 33126. Tel. 786-458-8240. You can visit the website at http://www.bennyseafood.com. They also ship.
Lechon means pig as in roasting pig…and the Ruta del Lechon will take you to Guavate near Cayey. Plenty of “lechoneras” roasting pigs, accompanied with “arroz con gandules”, blood sausages or morcillas, tostones, and mofongo. You can do a google search and put “Guavate la Ruta del Lechon Cayey Puerto Rico” to watch You Tube.
The local hot sauce is definitely, “hot”.
I know they make so many desserts in Puerto Rico, but my favorite is the simple flan, made with milk, sugar, and eggs, that’s it!!
From the Delaware Beaches visitors to Puerto Rico are pretty much in search of waves. Rincon and the western side of the island is a favorite of many. Hopefully, they can also travel to the island. Puerto Rico has a lot to offer and the scenery is gorgeous.
If you are passing through the town of Humacao…..granitos is what you need to be looking for. They sell them in street corners but I got to visit where they make them. Indigenous to Humacao; you cannot find them anywhere else. With a bold and hot cup of coffee…priceless. Made with rice and cheese and, of course, fried!!
 La Coca Falls, El Yunque In Pinones, near San Juan, another surfing spot and eating destination….fresh coconut water!!
Love Old San Juan. It is my favorite place. I like everything about it. Such an old and historic city. If you are visiting Puerto Rico, please take time to visit.
A city surrounded by forts; El Morro and San Cristobal. Over 500 years old.
Walking and shopping in the Old City.
Stay at El Convento Hotel.
Take a cultural and food tour with Flavors of San Juan…http://www.sanjuanfoodtours.com.
And a must when the temperature rises in PR….a local Piragua or snow cone. They are truly the best! Love the cream and here was my “Piraguero” preparing mine in his new stainless steel cart.
It is about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday evening and the temperatures are supposed to be the coldest in the next couple of days…..
 From Palmas del Mar, looking towards Vieques and Culebra Need I say more? Happy Three Kings Day!!
March 10th, 2012
I don’t know what made me think of writing about El Yunque this a.m. I guess it was because I do have friends from the Delaware Beaches that are visiting the Isla del Encanto. Most of them are on the west coast of Puerto Rico; a little surfing, perhaps?
I think you take things for granted when you live in a certain city, town, etc. etc. That’s probably what I did when I lived there. The Island is beautiful and offers so much, but is in much need of tender loving care.
I kept thinking that no trip to Puerto Rico is complete without a visit to El Yunque National Forest. It is the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System.
From San Juan is only 25 miles…hmm traffic can be hectic. From the west corner of the Island, definitely a bit more. Highways in Puerto Rico have improved tremendously, though.
El Yunque is located on Puerto Rico Road 191, in Rio Grande. It is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The website is www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque.
El Yunque is a tropical paradise with plants and animals only indigenous to the Island. You might be lucky to find the elusive Puerto Rican Parrot, or the Puerto Rican Lizard called Cuckoo, which is identified by its long tail and reddish underbelly.
It is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking Trails like La Mina, which is one of six interconnecting trails totaling 24 miles.
El Yunque Hiking Trail is more challenging and can get muddy, it’s a rainforest, afterall. You will be hiking to its peak which is 3,496 feet high.
You can bird watch on the Caimitillo Trail. There are 50 different kinds of birds and 50 different native orchids. You can detour from El Yunque Hiking Trail into this trail.
If you want to have more outdoor excitement then try the Yunque Zipline Adventure. It is 70 feet above the ground at about 40 miles per hour. You can call 787-242-3368 or visit www.yunkezipline.wordpress.com.
And if you want to push yourself even more then rappelling with Aventuras Tierra Adentro might be the thing for you. You start with a hike across a monkey bridge, followed by a crash course in rappelling. It is a challenging course that involves vigorous hiking and climbing. Look at it this way, you will be flinging yourself between trees, swinging from 30 feet in the air, dropping into icy water, and finish it off by throwing yourself off 30 foot high cliffs. Okay? You want more info.? Call 787-766-0470 or, visit www.aventuraspr.com.
Rappelling is a technique that allows you to do a controlled descent down a rope from a cliff.
If you are one of those that do not need all that excitement above described, then check out the Yokahu Tower Observation Point , which rises at 1,600 feet. 98 steps to the top; you will be rewarded with a 360 degree panoramic view of the forest and the northeastern coast.
Take a break at La Coca Falls. An opportunity for a Kodak moment. The water crashes 85 feet down a sheer rock face. You can climb those rocks too for your perfect picture.
 La Coca I know my Puerto Rican friends will probably not pay attention to this post; being there and done that “kinda” thing…but, for those visiting, it is worth it.
Then, before you leave hit the Kiosks in Luquillo…frituras, pastelillos, alcapurrias, tacos de jueves…yumm, is all I can say. Wash it down with coconut water…
Have a good one!!
Note: Information for my post was taken from Go Magazine.
June 1st, 2010
Sightseeing around the southeastern side of the Island of Puerto Rico took me to Yabucoa. This town is in short proximity to Humacao, where I grew up. I just wanted to take a trip around this area and see what time had done to this beautiful part of the island.
I arrived at the remnants of the Central Roig, which is located in Yabucoa. Yabucoa is known as Sugar Cane City.
At one time in history there were 6 sugar mills operating in this area. The most important one was Central Roig. The name was changed to Central Roig when it was bought in 1909. It is a historic sugar cane plantation.
Yabucoa is a fertile valley that produces plantains and bananas. But, most of the valley was used for sugar cane growth.
Central Roig was one of the last mills that produced sugar in Puerto Rico.
During harvest it felt like it was snowing except that the flakes were black and the weather was warm. Hand harvesting accounted for more than half of production. It was done by using “machetes”.
The “colonos” of the sugar were the harvesters. They lived at the mill in small houses in a plantation atmosphere. My father grew up at the mill and my grandfather worked for the Central Roig. I remember him bringing me sugar cane. It was such a treat to chew on the cane and, oh, so sweet.
Another method of harvesting is using sugar cane combines. This is called a mechanical harvest, but the preferred method was with the “machetes”.
The sugar cane industry had been most important in Puerto Rico for 400 years and in 2000 the Central Roig closed.
I had to take the pictures of what was a very important part of my family’s past. Puerto Rico’s own governor’s mother grew up in “La Central”, as well.
The mill looked so sad and abandoned and as I took those pictures I kept thinking if only those buildings could talk.
On that same day I took off with my driver to El Yunque, the rain forest. You already met him in my previous blogs.
I had to go and visit because I also spent so much time there. You might not know but people do have homes inside the rain forest. They are beautiful homes in a most unique environment.
Approaching Rio Grande, which is where El Yunque is located, you could see that it was raining; 240 inches per year. The mountain is 3,543 feet high.
 El Yunque at a distance; Rain Forest The little town of Palmer had not changed in all those years. It was great and I could not believe it. At least something has remained the same.
Driving up the rain forest I had to open the windows; the coolnest of the mountain and the mist were fantastic. In El Yunque there are 4 different forest vegetations. The mountain is also renowned for its unique Taino petroglyphs (rock engravings).
One of the “Kodak” moments of every tourist visiting El Yunque is the Coca Falls. Through the years I have taken pictures up on the rocks. I had to take some more and the falls looked exactly the same, as well. The sounds were unforgetable.
Not too long ago a friend reminded me that to reminisce is to live; definitely, so true.
Talk to you later….
|
Comments Off on Destination? Puerto Rico, The Caribbean, La Parrilla, Kiosk #2, Luquillo Beach, El Yunque, The Rain Forest, Warmer Destination!!