January 31st, 2014
Playa Los Machos, Ceiba
My last post showed a cold winter day in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware…..Leaving the Delaware Beaches to a warmer climate in the Island of Puerto Rico,where the temperatures are in the 80”s with low humidity, found me tasting the Comida Criolla; the best!
The Ruta del Comelon….that’s us, following the path of those that love food. If you like Puertorican food, then, this post is for you.
Meeting with family and friends….first stop is always a must at the Metropol Restaurant right after getting off the plane.
This restaurant is one of those iconic Puerto Rican eateries where you can get a good taste of the local flavor at the best price.
A little spread was placed on the table.
Loved the octopus salad or ensalada de pulpo the best. It melted in your mouth. Yum!
Breakfast on Friday morning was not the usual bacon and eggs. I am once again staying at Hacienda Pellerano…a private enclave.
Frying some granitos indigenous from the town of La Ciudad Gris or Humacao hit the spot, along with bite size morsels of papaya.
Accompanying the above was one of my favorites….morcillas or blood sausages….I know, I know, they don’t look so appetizing but believe me when I tell you that they are amazingly good.
La Ruta del Comelon took us to the town of Naguabo on the eastern side of the island.
The restaurant of choice was El Makito. We started with the pastelillos de chapin. Chapin is a fish and these turnovers are sought after by anyone visiting the east side of Puerto Rico.
The beer was so cold and was the perfect side dish for our next dishes.
The Mofongo is made out of plantains. Stuffing it is the new craze. So, 3 of them were ordered, stuffed with Salmorejo de Jueves (local crab criollo), Chapin (the little fish), and Conch….shrimp were ordered, as well.
The Caribbean lobster or langosta was served to our fellow diners…I don’t want to be thought of as a food stalker but I guess I was….they let me take the photo. You can see that the side dish of mofongo traditionally prepared is on the right, but then the stuffed one was also served.
And how big were the lobsters at El Makito? You be the judge.
Dessert!! We were looking for casquitos de guayaba, which is a fruit that you do not find it as easily in the island as before, served with cheese. And the other is a dulce de lechoza, which is papaya. Homemade and awesome!!
Hours later, at Hacienda Pellerano, a little “picadera” or “tasting” of pasteles, also made with plantains just like the mofongo. Filled with chickpeas, raisins…it reminded me that we need to really walk on Saturday if we are to continue on La Ruta del Comelon when we will take off for Guavate or La Ruta del Lechon (Pig).
Buen Provecho!!
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.
10 Comments