PUERTO RICO, “ISLE OF ENCHANTMENT”
BY CLAY LARROY
A vacation can soothe the soul and leave you renewed,
refreshed, and invigorated. Whether you are just now starting to plan your next
vacation, or are merely looking for travel ideas and suggestions, read
all the articles about the Caribbean. So take away some of the stress of making
travel plans, and get started thinking about the fun and relaxing times you
will soon be having on your next trip! When you are ready to plan an exciting vacation
contact me!
With tropical rainforest, warm turquoise waters and soft yellow
sand, Puerto Rico (Rich Port) is certainly abundant in natural riches. Most
visitors are attracted to the island's beaches, and understandably so. From San
Juan's calmer Atlantic waters to Rincón's ripping surf breaks, and from
Culebra's picture-perfect Flamenco Beach (rated one of the top 10 beaches in
the world by the Discovery Channel) to Vieques' nearly deserted beaches where
wild horses roam, there really is sand and surf for every type of beach bum in
Puerto Rico.
There
are many other attractions besides the beach, however, which is perhaps
surprising given that this island is relatively small in size (approximately
161km/100 miles by 63km/39 miles). The island has three of the world's bioluminescent
bays, glow-in-the-dark bodies of water that you can kayak or motorboat into for
a nighttime lightshow (the dinoflagellates in the water make it sparkle like
glitter).
The
interior of the island has a mountain range with impressive views, a massive
system of limestone formations and caves, and the only tropical rainforest in
the US National Forest System. The southeastern interior has a desert, complete
with cacti! The island's interior also has interesting opportunities to learn
more about Puerto Rico's history and culture through the Fideicomiso's (Nature
Conservancy's) network of sites, including Hacienda Buena Vista (an old coffee
plantation) and Hacienda Esperanza (an old sugar plantation). Venture off the
beaten path and you'll likely find yourself the sole adventurer in the island's
beautiful interior region.
In
addition to the mainland of Puerto Rico, there are several smaller ‘sister’
islands that belong to Puerto Rico which are popular among visitors. Culebra
and Vieques, off the mainland's eastern coast, are favourites of tourists and
locals alike. And the mysteriously named Caja de Muertos (literally, Coffin
Island) is a favourite of people who love wildlife watching.
Culturally,
the island of Puerto Rico is a vibrant and multicultural destination,
integrating and remixing what it calls its three ‘roots’: Taino (an indigenous
group), Spanish and African. The country is in the Caribbean but not wholly of
it, influenced both by Latin America and the USA, with which it has a colonial
relationship. This blend of cultures makes for interesting music, food, and
celebrations, as well as some curious aspects of daily life, including language
(rather than use the Spanish word for ‘parking’, for example, you're likely to
see ‘Parking’ or ‘Parkin'’).
Islanders
embrace all that is modern (you'll see police riding motorcycles with their
cell phones tucked under their helmets, talking while driving), while
cherishing and preserving their past. Many buildings in historic Old San Juan,
home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, proudly preserve their original
Spanish style. Visitors are typically enchanted by blue cobblestone streets and
pastel-painted colonial buildings. Here, it feels as if you can reach out and
touch history.
Visitors to the island
rarely come just once. The warm weather is rivalled by Puerto Ricans'
friendliness. Travelers here often make lifelong friends out of acquaintances
they've met while sharing lechon asado and tostones (roast pork and plantain chips), or
while dancing salsa at a popular club like the Nuyorican.
REFERENCE SITE
http://www.travelresearchonline.com/
Puerto Rico is one of those places you can be as quiet or as crazy as you want,
because there's so much nightlife. I have to take the craziness carefully.
Bruce Forsyth
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