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An Escape to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
By Doris Irizarry
Temperatures as low as 20 degrees, frost on rooftops and on automobiles,
brownish landscapes, dead or burned plants and trees are rare in Tampa. Will my
well-grown avocado tree flourish again in the spring?
What a splendid feeling to get away from the cold temperatures in the south
right after the hectic holidays. An escape to a Caribbean Island a flight away
would be ideal. My bags were packed to enjoy a few days at Westin Rio Mar Beach
in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico located northeast of the island.
With many friends and family located throughout the island, I decided I wanted
some time alone. Have easy access to the beach, pool, and away from the hustle
and bustle of the town.
Taxis, private cars, buses wait at the airport to transport visitors to their
destination. I immediately spotted my well-groomed and well-dressed chauffer
whom held a welcome sign including my name and destination. Gazing out the car
window, the greenery was breath taking. The mountain views and houses located on
top of the mountains were astonishing. Ricky Martin billboards greeting visitors
and its locals with a smile. On Highway 3 to Rio Grande, Belz Factory Outlet
Mall in Canóvanas. The typical fast food American franchises are all around.
Strips of kiosks – open-air restaurants – with aromas of typical island
food. The Roberto Clemente Stadium is being built in honor of the Puerto Rican
baseball player Roberto Clemente.
The welcome to Ocean Villas was quite impressive. The entrance is a top of a
hill with a beautiful scenic view of the luxury villas on the 500-acre Westin
Rio Mar Beach and sister to Westin Rio Mar Resort – lodging for the Miss
Universe candidates, shops for your shopping pleasures, casino, entertainment. I
arrived during Three Kings celebration; therefore, I was able to enjoy ‘las
parrandas’ in the lobby. Two eighteen hole golf courses for the golf lovers.
To the right the mountains and the Caribbean National Forest, El Yunque are
visible. Tropical flowers and trees adorned the pathway to the Ocean Villas. I
was greeted with a refreshing mango juice.
The spacious and elegant villa made me feel right at home. Terra cotta floor
tiles, crown moldings and casually elegant furnishings filled the interiors of
my villa. The fully equipped kitchen remained untouched. Actually the microwave
was only used. The heavenly bed (made with tall people in mind) was heavenly to
put my mind and body to rest. I relaxed in comfort on the ocean front balcony
awaiting the sunrise and or sunset as I listened to the pounding of the waves
and the singing of the coquíes - Puerto Rico’s one-inch singing tree frog.
I had a choice of twelve restaurants and lounges to satisfy my hunger. The
delectables ranged from classical northern specialties, sushi and Asian
favorites, seafood and steaks, southwestern cuisine, buffets… The desserts
were out of this world. Since my taste buds are very Puertoricanized, I
preferred my well-seasoned traditional Puerto Rican food. I was fond to
Sandy’s Sea Food Restaurant & Steak House in Luquillo’s Plaza and the
Antojitos Puertorriqueños (Puerto Rican Cravings) located at the corner of
Westin Rio Mar Blvd and Highway 3.
My last stroll through the villas I encountered a ripened coconut. All the
coconuts were still green. Great to drink the coconut water with rum added to
it. This drink isn’t for me. The ripened coconut was hollering my name,
“Doris take me home with you.” Without hesitation I took the coconut back to
my villa. “How am I going to crack the coconut open?” I asked myself. To my
rescue were two employees. They didn’t have a machete; therefore, they took
the coconut to the restaurant’s kitchen. Within a few minutes, not only was
the ripened coconut returned to me cracked open but also a green coconut filled
with coconut water to drink. I poured the coconut water into an empty water
bottle. As for the ripened coconut insides, I stored in a plastic bag to make
rice with coconut and dried gandules (pigeon peas) once I was home.
The beach lined with coconut palm trees was a few steps away. A hammock to swing
in while I read a few pages of “El Regalo De Tiempo” (“The Gift Of
Time”). My days on the island I was blessed with warm water
temperatures; therefore, I took a quick swim. Before getting out of the water, I
exercised my traditional three dips with my back to the ocean. As beautiful as
the ocean was, I didn’t look back as to leave any bad luck behind.
It’s my last hasta luego (until next time) to the sandy beach, the pondering
waves, the eye-catching greenery, the joyful coquíes… My chauffeur fulfilled
my last request of mango juice before departing to the airport. The drive to the
airport was through the picturesque back roads to avoid the afternoon rush hour.
The Atlantic Ocean was still visible with the surfing waves active, a soap opera
being filmed, strips of kiosks, coconut trees, Old San Juan… I will be back
Puerto Rico.
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