Live from El Yunque rainforest PR

[gymnastika]

We arrived yesterday. We are here for four days, so wearesticking to mostly the rainforest. Here is a pic from our private swimming hole down the trail from where we are staying.
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[loria]

it's so nice up there!
have fun!
where you off to next?

[gymnastika]

We are doing the La Mina trail that will lead to a large waterfall.

[alw1977]

I love Puerto Rico - enjoy! Still haven't done the bio bay yet. Someday...

[Cid]

Please keep posting more great pics. This is a place that has always interested my wife and I. Her father was from Puerto Rico.

Enjoy your trip!

[gymnastika]

We went on a trail that led to la mina falls. The rainforest here reminds me of the northshore of st. john, exept that it's even more moist with little streams everywhere. My older son says it smells like "lettuce". The national park here is well maintained and stunning. The trail we went on was one of their most famous one, and knew it would be crowded, as it is a weekend, kinda of the "trunk bay" of trails. It was .7 of a mile down to the falls. takes about 30 minutes of hiking on paved paths.
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We then drove down back to the base of the mountain and enjoyed observing the locals hang out with their families. They are everywhere swimming in the gorgeous crystal clear river! That looks like so much fun! We stopped and ate at this cute barbque place right there on the water. the food was great!!
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My youngest playing with the locals..

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The kids were barely hanging in there after the hike and an early dinner. Sweet! Back to the villa for a movie and to bed super early. Now it's grown up chill time!!

[linne]

Thank you for the pictures. What a fantastic nature there. Waterfalls are always something special.

Linne

[gymnastika]

well, shame on me. I thought I would have been more active posting, but frankly, I've just not wanted to do anything but check out!! I've gotten into vacation mode more quickly than I had anticipated. I will give you a quick recap of the last few days:

we toured Old San Juan, ate at Barrachina (supposedly they think they invented the pina colada in the 50's, but so does 8 other people according to wiki). also toured the fort.

took a prop plane to culebra and went to flamenco beach. nice BIG beach. Went to walk the cute town and eat at the famous mamacita's. hmmm. didn't read anywhere that the TOWN CLOSES DOWN AT 3PM!!!! There was nowhere to eat. Not even a taco stand! We just chilled on the deck and ordered drinks at mamacita's and were told there MIGHT be a place we could get food right outside of "town". We walked there and score! quick stuffing of burgers and such and off to the airport. Taking a plane is the way to go. 10 minute flight for 60 bucks round trip instead of an hour and a half ferry ride with rough waters. hmmm.... Also, the flights are on demand, you just show up at the Ceiba airport and see which airline leaves next. no security. not much waiting for a flight. now this is the way to travel!!

Next day flew to Virgin Gorda. Went to villa, then down to Rosy's market for some groceries, unpack, chill at the villa for awhile, and then off to Spring Bay by the baths. Had the beach to ourselves. And some local children who were fascinated with our beach toys and snorkel gear! What a delight these kids are! Snorkeled for a couple hours. My six year old can dive with his snorkel in 12 feet of water and spit out his snorkel. I'm so proud!! We are officially a fully snorkeling family! Went to Mineshaft for dinner. Kids played putt putt while we ate. Closest thing for a date for us!

Went to Baths and roamed and then snorkeled a couple of hours. I forgot how beautiful the snorkeling is here. Spring bay is really dramatic snorkeling around huge boulders as well. Went to Top of the Baths for a refreshing dip in the pool. Made dinner at the house.

Today we went to Savannah Bay. Gotta love that after being there all day, we only shared the beach with a handful of people. Same with the other beaches. It's just so quiet. Nice. We went to Leverick for the beach BBQ and kids swam in pool while we dined.

I really love Virgin Gorda this time around. I guess I knew what to expect, vs last time, and I love how laid back it is. I love that it's so safe. I love that the people are so friendly. We had a local family just walk up and sit with us at savannah bay where we were set up, and our kids played together for hours.
I haven't sent pics since my iphone doesn't get service in Virgin Gorda, and that's the easiest way I put pics on here.

Well, one more day here, and then off to St. John!!

[cypressgirl]

What an adventure you've been on!! You're making me think I need to spend some time on Virgin Gorda. The rush, rush, trip through the Baths on a day trip from STJ doesn't really give me much of a feel for the island, but you make it sound like what STJ used to be when we first started going years ago.

Thanks for taking the time to post. Looking forward to more from STJ.

[Cid]

Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing some more of your great pics...

[c3p1]

Great waterfall. thanks for taking the time to post.

[ShelleyZ]

This trip sounds wonderful! Last summer we went from St. John to Culebra and really enjoyed the contrast and movement from island to island.

Where did you stay in El Yunque? I'd love to hear more about it when you have a chance.

Enjoy! And thanks!
Shelley

[nothintolose]

Awesome pics and great mini report - can't wait till your full report