Monday.. last day in Puerto Rico

Plans for the day...
8am - leave with Janet for San Juan, where we hope to visit old San Juan and the old fort and maybe a couple of souvenir shops before lunch. Then Janet has to take the rental car back to the airport by 1pm. Then my flight is due to check in from 3pm to take off at 6pm. We have a touchdown at Antigua before continuing on to Gatwick, arriving TUESDAY morning because of the time difference.

I can't wait to see Eli again, but I will be very sad to leave all my Puerto Rican family after getting to know and love them all so much.

My last full day in Puerto Rico

Sunday dawns at last with me having a rare lie-in. Joey, Armando and I went to the Mall so that I could get a few last minute presents to take back with me. When we returned there was some drama which resulted in us leaving much later than we had planned to go visit Chriiz's family at Anasco. We eventually set off, then needed to detour via Hormigueros police station, which is right next to a fascinating old cemetery. I took photographs showing some of the mausoleum buildings from outside the cemetery as it was closed. Then, all sorted out, we drove out to Chriiz's family home, which is beside a river in the forest. When we arrived, after dark, it was actually PITCH dark, as the electricity was out. I didn't mind, because it gave me the opportunity to experience seeing fireflies for the first time. Plus, the sky was so clear and the stars so visible in the lack of light pollution. A beautiful place to live, and I am told it has lovely views in the daytime. Maybe on my next visit ..... :D

On the way home, as I was starving!!!! we went to Pizza Hut and then finally back to the house. I finished my packing for the morning. I can't believe I've been here three weeks!!

Sea, surf and stars, and Stella Lighthouse

Tonight (Saturday) we went to the Faro at Stella. We were able to walk along the path by the light of the stars, and Venus was so bright she backlit the clouds beautifully. Photos have me all red-eyed from crying after saying goodbye to Sonia and Robert. Can't do justice to the star-filled sky or the crashing surf lit by it with photos or with words, you REALLY had to be there!

When we got home, I made "Wasikoki"s for everybody, and we talked for a long time into the night. It feels so good to relax with the family.

The final Saturday

Today I lay in bed till nearly ten a.m. after waking early but deciding I really did NOT want to get out of bed for just one day on my holiday!

I did my final Spanish lesson and uploaded the photos from last night. Then, this afternoon, we went to Robert and Sonia's lovely beach house in Rincon. I went swimming in the sea and enjoyed it very much. Then we had a delicious meal of chicken wings, potato salad and green salad. Orange and grape water ices afterwards.

I was very sad to say goodbye to my new aunt and uncle. Although I have only known them for three weeks, they have really found a place in my heart. I hope it is not Adios, but Hasta Luego!

A wonderful ceremony

This afternoon Joey and Kim made their vows to each other in front of the family and friends and I had the privilege to be there with them. Of course I cried. Afterwards we had a lovely meal that Robert had prepared. The piece de resistance was the island speciality of roast suckling pig which was absolutely amazing. After the meal, we went to the Villa Cofresi in Rincon (the surfing centre of the world) for Pirate specials in coconuts. I had a pina colada with rum. It was delicious.

There was a party going on at the villa, a family event for the Cintron family, strangely enough! So we were allowed in (being Cintrons).

A wonderful day, wonderful memories, wonderful photographs, I hope!

Friday

Today I decided to walk to Camille's Sidewalk Cafe for breakfast. It is about a mile from the house so it took me about an hour. I had breakfast muffin, with a banana boat smoothie (bananas, pineapples and honey).

After calling in at Walgreens and the local Criollo Supermercado, I made it back home in a round trip of about two hours. Tired but I feel I have achieved something.

Rainforest

If it's Thursday, it must be time to visit the rainforest. Joey, Kim and I went for breakfast at Denny's on the way to collecting Janet from the Holiday Inn in Mayaguez. Then the four of us headed out along the south coast to Ponce, before turning inland to the wonders of Toro Negro rainforest.

There is no way I can make words equal the beauty and variety of this place so I'll just let the photographs do the talking.

We had a wonderful lunch at a place almost at the top of the mountains. I had red snapper pastry parcels, which were delicious, along with papas fritas.. so, in effect, I had the Puerto Rican version of fish and chips :D

After lunch we headed for the beautiful 60m waterfall, before turning for home to get off the mountain before sundown. There is no way you want to be driving those roads at dusk or after dark!

Got back to the house about 8pm, exhausted but happy.

Topped the day off with ice cream and apple pie from MacDonalds!!