The Rain Forest

Photos:

1. The ONE spot at the marina where high speed wireless works.
2. Lara at La Mina Waterfall in El Yunque.
3. Jim and Lara in a downpour at the rain forest.
4. Puerto Rican "health food."
5. "Machete Lady" preparing cold coconut milk drink.

Dec. 6th. We are really enjoying this full amenities marina! If we had a TV we could run it! The showers are hot, ice is readily available and there is water (in a hose right on the dock).

We got up early and rented a car. Yippee wheels! We took ourselves to WalMart. I have never been so happy to be in a WalMart. I wanted to go up and down each aisle but Captain Bligh wouldn’t let me… Erg. There was a West Marine in town and the Captain was in a hurry to walk up and down THOSE aisles! Since he had the driver’s license (and the keys), I had to be content with my hands full of Pringles, suntan lotion, a lint roller and CHOCOLATE! I had to laugh as their clothes racks were full of winter clothes – sweaters and long sleeved stuff.

After the shopping excursion, we left to drive to the El Yunque Rain Forest (the only rain forest in the US National Park system). We had been warned about the crazy Puerto Rican drivers but they didn’t seem any more aggressive than Jim – who fit right in…perhaps a little TOO well! We hiked down to the waterfall where we got into the chilly water for photos. We also got a picture of the two of us wearing our matching Coast Guard jackets (thank you Emily) in the pouring rain. They get over 200 inches a year…most of it while we were there!

We stopped for lunch at Loquillo for “health food.” We drank cold coconut milk from a freshly chopped coconut- yech. However, it was worth it just to see the lady wielding, with great skill and precision (I think she still has all of her fingers – but then again, she was young) the machete to chop the opening for the straw.

We’re getting ready to pull up stakes and leave the marina to go back to the deserted islands. While we enjoy the community in the marina, it’ll be good to get back to “simple” island life!

It may be a few days before we can find another internet access point. We’ll certainly try to have another long post at that time.