January 5th, 2014

Puerto Rico, La Isla del Encanto, The Three Wise Men, Los 3 Reyes Magos, The Epiphany, Tonight’s the Eve; Monday is Three Kings Day! Pasteles, Mofongo, Pique

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

El Yunque, National Rainforest, Tropical Paradise, Scenic Trails, Wildest Waterfalls, Rappelling, Zipline, Puerto Rico

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.