We ventured out early and headed west. Our destination was Porta del Sol, a spectacular area offering many things to do and places to visit. It is home to some of the best beaches, quaintest towns oozing with charm, and unique sites we delighted in exploring.
We paused, briefly, for a visit to one of the many elaborate cemeteries on the island.
“I have always enjoyed cemeteries.
Altars for the living as well as resting places for the dead,
they are entryways, I think, to any town or city,
the best places to become acquainted with the tastes of the inhabitants,
both present and gone.”
― Edwidge Danticat
On the way to the town of Isabela, we were greeted by this amazing face. It is titled Cacique Mabodamaca : A Taino Chieftain of Note. It serves as a reminder of the role this well-respected man played in Puerto Rico’s early history, during the Indian Wars (early 1500s). By all accounts he lived a life of bravery and self-sacrifice for his people, fighting fearlessly to maintain their way of life and their security that was under threat by European invaders.
Around each corner exists something unique to discover.
Aquadilla is known as the Garden of the Atlantic due to the colorful sponges and marine life found in this area. It lived up to its name.
A breathtaking detour was to the Ruinas del Faro La Ponderosa.
This lighthouse was built in 1889 by the Spanish government and served as an aid to navigation on the route from Europe to Panama.
Sadly, La Ponderosa was severely damaged by a large earthquake, in 1918, and never repaired or protected as a historic site. Wasn't it amazing in its day? The Spanish Colonial neo-classical structure was 91 feet long and 41 feet wide!
Next explore was in the town of Mayagüez with its beautiful Plaza Colón.
It is the third largest city in Puerto Rico and an important port city. It is also famous for its sangria... so we just had to stop for a cool libation. ¡Delicioso!
Los Morrillos Lighthouse (1892), in Cabo Rojo, gave us a glimpse of the grandeur that must have been La Ponderosa. Beautiful!
Our destination was Las Salinas- the Salt Flats, an excellent eco attraction and one of the most scenic stops, on the west coast of Puerto Rico, to admire nature. The lagoons were modified for the production of salt. Brine shrimp are abundant on the salt flats, helping with the production of salt and are one of the factors for the pinkish coloring. It is weirdly beautiful and very odoriferous. Historically speaking, the operation of extracting salt on this site, began with the Taino Indians in 700 AD. So cool and so worth the detour.
I had to share this clever naming of a hamburger at McDonald's. Magnífica is Spanish for magnificent. So dang clever.
We traversed a great deal of the Island but really barely scratched its amazing surface. We still have a few days. We'll do our best.
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3 comments:
It sounds like you've recovered from your 18 hour journey to get to Puerto Rico -- or else you are just sleep deprived!
WOW what beautiful ruins and the beaches looks amazing! You know I love the wild life and flowers wherever you go! XO
Bet it feels good to put your toes in the sand!
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