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Irene
We were both exhausted after completing unplanned tasks. First the the master bed needed to be fixed. In the middle of the night we felt some of the wooden slats give way. It took Santosh the better part of the day to purchase the wood needed and fix/strengthen the base.
I decided to move logs. We had left huge sections of the toppled flamboyant tree to dry out so they would be easier to move. Well, they seemed lighter, but it sure took some effort to roll those misshapen logs from one end of the property to the other. After that I chain sawed some unwanted shrubs.
It was definitely time for some fun. We decided to explore the beaches north of the Loiza beach we frequent. We drove along Route187. It runs through the Reserva Natural Bosque de Pinones and the scenery is lush and green. We noted a path through the woods (Paseo Loiza) we should come back and explore. And there were breath taking views of the ocean on the right side.
We parked at Playa Vacia la Talega. Interestingly some hotel was shuttling their guests to this beach. Our goal was to hike through the woods and find Cueva Escondida, which I believe means hidden cave. There are a couple of trails through the woods. We took the first one but had to turn right to get to the cave. it is not really a cave (maybe it was one) as it does not have a roof. This area has exposed volcanic rock. It is sharp and dangerous and were were glad we were waring sandals. It was a pretty sight to see the waves crashing into the rocks. Very similar to what we saw at Jobo Beach (on the other side of the island) but at a smaller scale.
After the hike we were ready for a swim. We drove back to a access point that was empty. And we had the beach to ourselves. Just the right amount of waves tossing us around. The shore was packed with palm trees. There were some rocky structures out in the ocean. I wonder if we could get out there? Probably too dangerous.
Relaxed and refreshed, we got some lunch at our local bakery/cafe, La Sevillana . Delicious yuca with chicken breast with bacon and ripe plantains. Next was gardening for me and some work work for Santosh.
I found these half planters last Nov, and stored them away till I had the opportunity to create a vertical garden. We have a blue wall that is connected to the house and is a backyard privacy screen. Santosh helped me tape and hang the planters. Initially I had a more symmetric pattern but he suggested this one which turned out even better.
These plants remind me of portulaca – I believe they are of the same purslanes family. They are succulent, so I hope they will be hardy and survive when there is no one watering them. I purchased bright pink, white and a lovely variegation of both shades. I threw in a wild version that was growing at the beach. I said to Santosh “I may be introducing something invasive into my garden.” To which he responded, “Not really, I see them everywhere.” Mmmm, not sure if he was paying attention to me or not.
This new addition added more charm and interest to the ever evolving side garden.
We decided to hit our nearest beach. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and I should have been at church. But I was out enjoying God’s creation, I could not feel bad about that. In fact I have been so grateful and thankful to be here again to enjoy the sun.
From the parking lot, the ocean looked amazing, a gorgeous turquoise blue. But as we got closer we were dismayed to see the beach covered with seaweed and quite a bit in the water as well. Swimming in seaweed is not fun. We found a shady spot and enjoyed our breakfast – cafe con leches and flan. (Eggs and milk in a different format.) Despite the seaweed, the view was amazing.
Since I had walked the Loiza side of the beach before, I was curious to see what the Rio Grande side was like. According to Google Maps, these are beaches in front of a residential community and St Regis Bahia Beach Resort. So we took off on a walk. Odd there was fruit strewn on the beach. Did someone empty their picnic basket?
The Berwind Beach Resort, the residential community is a gated development. There were a few people on the beach, some on hammocks.
We continued to walk. There was less seaweed and the view was amazing. A beautiful empty beach on the left and El Yunque Rain forest on the right. We walked right up to the rows of hotel loungers and umbrellas. St Regis is under construction, several large cranes marred our view.
We went back to a tip called Punta San Agustin, and jumped into the water. Just perfect.
As we walked back, we picked up some fruit, deciding it had fallen of a boat and floated to this beach.
Gardeners love the thrill of walking through their garden and spotting a new bud or shoot. When you have not seen your garden up close in four months, you are a bit anxious. Some plants totally disappear and others take over. Some look healthy and others look dry and parched. This trip was no different. We went out for dinner before coming home from the airport, so it was dark. But nonetheless, I grabbed by phone flashlight and walked around. I made two discoveries. First, I’ve been planting pineapple tops for the last two years. Interesting foliage, but nothing else to see, until today. Does that not look like the beginning of a beautiful pineapple?
Second, there were figs. And one perfectly ripe one. Santosh and I enjoyed that it immediately. Sweet and Juicy!
The next morning, I rose early for a closer inspection and I found a lot more activity. My very first bunch of plantains! This tree is so tall, about 12 feet.
The bottle brush tree bloomed for the first time. The birds are loving this tree.
The cashew nut tree is full of blooms. It will look spectacular when it is covered with yellow and orange fruit.
The longan tree we planted last year has large flower clusters.
Supriya’s orchid in the atrium looks spectacular. Nine blooms.
The cacti bush is full of blooms. Maybe a fruit this time?
Luscious mangos on the tree. The birds are enjoying them.
I was hoping I would find some moringa. Fresh curry leaves, coconut and moringa drumsticks, so yummy!
Bunches of rose apples hiding in the tree.
Acerola fruit we have already enjoyed in a pitcher of mojitos we drank with the neighbors on Saturday night.
Passion fruit and some lovely flowers on the fence!
A pomegranate, so perfectly beautiful!
You will find street food in almost every corner. So many varieties of fritters. In fact, you will find complete meals sold on the side of the street. Well, except for vegetables. Those are rather scarce, anywhere.
Alcalpurria is one of our favorite fritters. It is kind of like a deep fried tamale. The masa is a dough made of plantains and root vegetables. The filling is typically savory beef, chicken or crab.
If you are outside the touristy areas, the vendors may not know English. I was practicing my spanish on one occasion and I mistakenly asked if the alcalpurria was filled with caballo (horse) instead of cangrejo (crab)! The man was rather offended at my suggestion!
El Yunque is one of my favorite places on earth. I struggle to find the words to describe this magical place. It is nature at its finest – layers and layers of foliage, some large and others in miniature, some low to the ground, others soaring high into the sky. So many shades of green. Rivers, streams, slow drips and majestic waterfalls abound. Mountains that take you up to the clouds and reward the courageous hiker with spectacular views.
I have only seen a small fraction of this magnificent forest. Many of the trails are still closed after Hurricane Maria. And beyond the mapped routes, there are hidden hikes and pools to discover. Imagine getting lost in El Yunque!
Interestingly, based on the rainfall and time of year, the flora and fauna does vary. I plan to learn as much as possible about this amazing place that is just 30 minutes from home.
You feel small and insignificant in such a spectacular theatre!
A window with a view!
On top of the world!
We love to walk our little gated neighborhood early in the morning. Every garden is different, some are very minimal while others are quite ornate. We are fascinated by the varieties of orchids perched on tree trunks billowing in the wind. I love the varieties of bromeliads, all sizes and colors. We greet our neighbors, hoping they speak some English. The most common Puerto Rican greeting is “Buen dia” which is a shortening of “Buenos dias.” Sometimes it is super shortened to “Bueno!”
On one of these walks, we stopped to admire the garden of neighbor. Their dog started barking and the lady came out to see what was going on. We complimented her on the garden. She said it belonged to her husband. We continued on our walk. We were a couple of streets away, when someone motioned us from an approaching car. It was the lady we had just met. Her husband wanted to show us the garden! We got in the car and went back to her house.
Luckily, he spoke more English than she did. We toured the garden and were gifted with a dozen plants to take back home. What a lovely couple. A week or so later, we dropped of a box of fruit from our garden.
We made another gardening friend on the other side of the neighborhood. I decided bromeliads were the way to go for the front yard. They are hardy and low maintenance. I bought some smaller ones. The larger ones were quite expensive, so I held off. I noticed a garden with a lot of bromeliads. They really looked like they needed dividing. I decided to knock on the door and ask for some that were growing behind a tree. Here again the husband was the gardener. He was beyond generous. See my haul in the first picture! I was overjoyed.
No one likes to ask for things. But when you realize that there is nothing to lose, it becomes easier. What have you asked for recently?
Our quiet town of Cannovanas is next to three busier areas. To the west, Carolina for shopping and a bit further, San Juan for restaurants and night life. To the east, more touristy areas of Rio Grande and Fajardo with their restaurants. Other than quick lunch spots, we did not know any dinner destinations in our town. Until our last trip when our neighbor introduced us to Zimple which is 11 minutes from the house. Zimple is a hip restaurant that serves beautiful and tasty Puerto Rican food. The first time we went I had mofongo stuffed with lobster and Santosh had red snapper stuffed with lobster. That was so much lobster, done to perfection. We took Reena there and then we went back again ourselves and enjoyed some lamb. The staff is great and the chefs so accommodating. A local gem!
Stuffed Tostones 
Lamb Chops 
Red Snapper with Lobster 
Shrimp Mfongo 
Lobster Mfongo 
Red Snapper with Lobster
In Zambia, our family friends, the David’s, had a large lychee tree in their yard. It produced big bunches of beautiful red and juicy lychees. Over the years, we have eaten syrupy lychees in cans from Asian stores and small amounts (due to the exorbitant their cost) from the Indian store.
When I was planning what to plant in my tropical garden in Feb 2019, I exchanged some emails with Sadhu of Govardhan Gardens. He saw my wish list and gave me some sage advice – test your soil and measure your precipitation to know what will thrive in your garden. I have not yet done that. The cost of experimenting has not been high.
He said, “Almost all Lychee cultivars are subtropical and therefore don’t produce well/reliably inPR. There are a few exceptions (of truly tropical cultivars) but they are not easy to find here.
He added, “…what’s growing there is just an indicator of what can possibly grow but doesn’t mean a lot yet re. what can actually produce fruit (and at what quantity). In other words, growing and fruiting are not synonymous.”
More sage advice but I am a believer in miracles and outliers. If I find a healthy plant in a nursery at a reasonable price, I am going plant it. And if I find the plant at Home Depot, it must be something I can plant with a reasonable expectation of success, right?
Lychees are not common in Puerto Rico. In June 2019 I found a small specimen. I planted it or the narrow side of the house. I learned the tender leaves of the lychee tree need to be protected from the wind, but I was not sure how to do this. This tree did not survive.
As an aside, note that cute plant tag. I quickly learn that the hot sun and frequent rain destroys the tags. Weeds are quick to overgrow small plants, and humans with weed-whackers can lop off the top of my prized plants.
In November 2020, we made a quick stop to Home Depot to return products we had ordered online earlier in the year during COVID-19 restrictions. I usually check the nursery section just in case there is something exciting. To my delight I found a healthy Brewster Lychee.
I learn that Brewster is the most popular commercial variety planted in Florida. It has a good taste, but a large seed. It will produce a good crop two out of three years.
I planted it on the hillside of the house and my husband built an amazing cabana for it. This plant will grow. But as Sadhu said, it might not fruit. Let us wait and see.
Leave them in a tropical island and see what happens, of course!