Today's swell is working well on the North side of Rincon with most sets being headhigh+. The South wind is blowing out Maria's and Dogman's, but keeping nice and clean at Sandy's and Parking lot. For future forcast check Rincon Vacations
We heard the secondhand account of this story from a friend of Taino Diver's owner Greg Carson. Apparently a group was out diving Desecheo Island last week and a humpack whale decided to make his presence quite known! As Carson was trying to get the groups attention (there's a whale yo!), his "clicker" sound attracted the whale and it headed right for him. Got within arms reach, but luckily for Carson - no squished divemaster.
Check the video below (whale is in the last 30 seconds or so). Also gives you a great taste for how amazing the diving in Puerto Rico can be!
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Rincon Puerto Rico
As I'm sure everyone who lives in Puerto Rico can relate, we've been getting concerned phone calls and emails from friends and family wondering if we've been affected by Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti. Fortunately Puerto Rico was not affected by the quake at all and the brief tsunami warning that was issued (although it did not include Puerto Rico, but put us a little bit on edge) was cancelled soon thereafter, it can't help but make you imagine "what if?".
Before you read on, here is a quick and easy way to help donate to the Red Cross for their efforts in Haiti.
Text "haiti" to 90999. This will automatically charge your phone bill $10 which will go directly to relief efforts on the island.
Here's a little more history on earthquakes in Puerto Rico:
info courtesy of www.earthquake.usgs.gov
Four strong earthquakes have affected Puerto Rico since the beginning of its colonization. The most recent of these occurred on October 11, 1918. The epicenter was located northwest of Aguadilla in the Mona Canyon (between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic). This earthquake had an approximate magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale and was accompanied by a tsunami ("tidal" wave) which got up to 6 meters (19.5 feet) high. Damage was concentrated in the western area of the Island because this was the closest zone to the earthquake. The earthquake killed about 116 people and caused more than 4 million dollars of damage. Numerous houses, factories, public buildings, chimneys, bridges and other structures suffered severe damage.
On November 18, 1867, 20 days after the Island was devastated by Hurricane San Narciso, a strong earthquake occurred with an approximate magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter Scale. The epicenter was located in the Anegada Passage, between Puerto Rico and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The earthquake produced a tsunami that ran inland almost 150 meters (490 feet) in the low parts of the coast of Yabucoa. This quake caused damage in numerous buildings on the Island, especially in the eastern zone.
Possibly the strongest earthquake that has affected Puerto Rico since the beginning of colonization occurred on May 2, 1787. This was felt strongly throughout the Island and may have been as large as magnitude 8.0 on the Richter Scale. Its epicenter was possibly to the north, in the Puerto Rico Trench. The quake was felt very strongly all across the Island. It demolished the Arecibo church along with the El Rosario and La Concepcion monasteries and damaged the churches at Bayamon, Toa Baja and Mayaguez. It also caused considerable damage to the castles of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal, breaking cisterns, walls and guard houses.
The other strong earthquake, whose magnitude has not been determined, occurred in 1670, significantly affecting the area of San German District.
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Rincon Puerto Rico
I've been meaning to post this for awhile and of course I'm doing it when the month is almost over - but if you'd like to learn a little more about Justin and I and how we came to Puerto Rico, check out the December edition of the El Coqui Newsletter. December focuses on weddings in Rincon and since we got married here a little over 2 years ago, we were honored to share our wedding story with the magazine! This is one of the color issues - so the magazine looks GREAT this month! We were lucky enough to have Miri as our writer (shout out to Miri!) so she did a great job on the story.
click here to read the article
I can't wait to experience this one-of-a-kind cultural event in Rincon.
Here's some details from the Rincon Tourism Office:
Hello friends!
This is an invitation to the festivities this Sunday 20th of December of the Caravan of the Oxen or as it is called here “Yunta de Bueyes” on Road 115 across the street from the Sports Complex or in Spanish -“Polideportivo” The parade starts at 11am and continues in a festival across from the sports complex till about 5pm.
This is the 3rd annual caravan and there will be artisans, music, food and festivities for the children and picture opportunities with these magnificent gentle creatures. The “bueyes” were used by Puerto Rican farmers for centuries; they were originally brought here by the Spaniards long ago. They can weigh up to 2000 pounds and have mostly been replaced by modern tractors but are still used in remote areas where tractors cannot work. There is also information about these animals and their important role in Puerto Rico’s agricultural history. There will be “Bueyes” on parade from all over the island so expect a little traffic in the early hours of the event which begins at 11am as many stop to take pictures and admire their presence. This is a rare opportunity to see them in person and enjoy a day of family fun.
The event is sponsored by the municipality of Rincón and the Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito de Rincón” in a day of remembrance and honor of a Puerto Rican tradition. The day of the Spanish oxen in admiration of their power and beauty. .jpg)
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Rincon Puerto Rico
If you want to do some gift shopping, or seek out local art while you're in Rincon, there's one spot that is a must-see for your list.
The Secret Garden Art Gallery is a fantastic place to find local art, fine jewelry, tropical gifts and Caribbean souveniers. It is located on the 429 between the Horned Dorset Primavera and the Lemontree Inn. (the sign is small, but keep looking and you'll find it!). The grounds are beautifully landscaped, giving you the feeling that you really are in someone's own secret garden.
For more info, check out their blog here: Secret Garden Art Gallery
If the waves haven't been big enough for you lately, expect the surf to pick up this week. There's a North swell headed our way which means good waves for Rincon!
more from wavewatch
Rincon Surf Report
You may not realize it as you're zipping along the 115 or the 413 with only the beach on your brain, but there is an entire system of roads winding through the hills above Rincon that offer some of the most amazing views in the area. It takes a little effort to get off the main drags, and you have to be in an adventurous mood - but if you're up for it, it makes for a great drive and will give you an entirely different view of the town.
There's 101 different ways to head into the hills, but to get you started, I'll just take you on the route we did the other night as we headed to a friend's house and then to restaurant Casa Linda. (BIG disclaimer: these directions are from memory, they may not be exactly correct - but, even if you get lost, everything basically loops back onto itself eventually, so you'll pop out somewhere familiar in the end...probably).
You can start from the 115 in the Rincon Town Plaza. Find West Coast Surf Shop and look for the road that heads up the hill (West Coast will be on your right). This little road is actually Carr. 414 and although it looks like a one-way street at the bottom, it's two-way, so just keep gunning it ahead and alternate with cars coming the other direction if you need to (I told you you have to be in an adventurous mood if you want to do this!). This road will actually wind up the hill and take you past our house - at which point you'll technically be in Barrio Rio Grande. If you want a cold one, look for Bar La Ronda or El K-Maleon right on the 414.
You'll come to an intersection with the 4412 - turn right here. (if you keep going straight on the 414 you'll end up in Aguada). Take the 4412 to the end and turn left onto the 412 - the 412 will eventually become the 411. (if you turn right you'll end up back on the 115 - in Bo. Calvache). Off of the 411 you'll get amazing views all the way to Aguadilla Bay, and overlooking the backside of the Rincon hills all the way to Anasco Bay and Mayaguez. There is great little restaurant at the top of the hill called Casa Linda - stop and have a drink and a bite to eat on their deck. I promise the best undiscovered views in Rincon. (try the plaintain lasagna)
Explore a little on the way back and find some new routes of your own - that's part of the fun of it!
Two of our partners, Organic Surfer Chef Pedro Rivera and Sandra Farms Coffee teamed up with Appia Films as part of their Global Wellness Project for a short spot on cooking with coffee in Puerto Rico. I can't wait to see the finished product, but here's a little teaser to pique your interest:
Rincon Puerto Rico
We've been so busy lately that we almost missed this awesome holiday last week. One of the most unique and interesting things about this holiday is how it's celebrated. Everyone who has a horse (and that's almost everyone!) saddles up and gets ready for a ride to the big party and parade (this year it was in Aguada). They meet alongside the road, in a central area, or wherever is easy and ride in the streets down to the party. The mid-day on Thursday along the 413 and the 115 was packed with horses and people in the streets. Casa Verde in Puntas hosted a pig roast and a number of caballeros parked their trucks in the neighborhood to start the official ride over to Aguada. Horses in the road aren't an unusual sight in Puerto Rico, but this day takes it to a new and exciting level!
We didn't see the parade in Aguada, but I can only imagine that it was a fantastic party. I did find a good pic of someone celebrating in the traditional carnival mask. Next year for sure!
A little history:
This is a Commonwealth of Puerto Rico official holiday. It celebrates the day that Christopher Columbus (Don Cristóbal Colón) landed on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico near Aguada on his second voyage to the New World in 1493.
I know I've mentioned it here and there on this blog before, but after a recent visit, I'm very tempted to name Bahia Sucia at Cabo Rojo my favorite beach in Western Puerto Rico. (now, this is a very big claim because the West coast is FILLED with FANTASTIC beaches) We had family in town last week, so we took a day trip down to Cabo Rojo to see the lighthouse and have a quality day at the beach(note: this time of year it is only open Wed - Sun if you want to go inside for a quick tour - you can still explore the grounds if it's closed). It had been several months since I'd been down to Cabo Rojo and it just reminded me how much I love it there.
Bahia Sucia is located down a pothole-filled dirt road off the very end of Route 100, to the lower left of the lighthouse. Perhaps the funniest part is that Bahia Sucia means "Dirty Beach" which is exactly the opposite of what you'll find there. (I'm sure this was the attempted trick of someone long ago to deter visitors and keep this amazing spot hidden!) The small bay is filled with the warmest, turqoise water and lined with a gorgeous white sand beach. The sand as soft and fine as I've ever found, the water is calm and perfect for swimming, and if you go in the middle of the week, there's certain to be very few people there. Try to avoid weekends or holidays, since this beach is popular with locals, it can get crowded at times, but if you do it right it will certainly feel like you're own private paradise. Pack a cooler with lunch and drinks and find a niche in the trees and you're set for the day.
If you want a little excersize, hike up the hill to the lighthouse and explore the stunning cliffs surrounding the area. You can walk pretty far on the network of paths and trails and will get fantasic views from every vista. (see the pic below) Paradise in paradise? just might be....
Rincon Puerto Rico
Almost overnight, just a couple days before Halloween, winter officially arrived here in Rincon. It could be hard to tell because the sun is still shining, the air is still warm and every day is a beach day, but if you've been here all summer, you know what I mean. The temperature dropped just a hair, the humidity went down, afternoon showers slowed and the waves picked up! A couple good swells hit the West Coast recently (head high +) and you just might have to put on a light sweater in the evening (if you're a wimpy islander now). Ahhhhh, niiiiiiiiice.
Rincon Puerto Rico
If you've been in Rincon for any length of time you've probably noticed their bright red bags on any number of shop counters - Sandra Farms Coffee. Located in Adjuntas (approximately 2 hours drive inland from Rincon) and 100% Puerto Rican born and brewed, Sandra Farms Coffee is a little taste of the mountains.
One of Sandra Farms main goals is to be "a viable, sustainable and contributing member of the local community while at the same time striving to improve the environment."
from their website:
"Our company philosophy follows traditional methods of growing and roasting
coffee while applying more ecology-friendly ways. We use less water and
energy, zero fossil fuel, and recycle biomass and compost. Our coffee is
roasted daily with every batch inscribed with the "roasted on" date to ensure
quality and freshness. So when you are enjoying our coffee, we are certain
you can taste the care that went into every cup."
Justin recently toured Sandra Farms and was able to experience firsthand the time, effort and heart that goes into growing and harvesting coffee on a small local farm. It would be easier for the farm to take shortcuts to save time or money, but they are focused on the quality of the product and also on sustaining the environment that provides the product. (essential)
One of the largest issues facing the farm currently is a lack of workers to pick the beans. On average it is expected that you should have approximately 4 workers per acre during the peak picking season. Due to local labor shortages and the difficulty of bringing in foreign labor, the farm is limited by the number of hands they can get to pick the beans. Volunteer laborers form part of the workforce - as volunteers work daily (for free) in exchange for valuable lessons on organic farming and coffee production.
Stay tuned for more information on Sandra Farms Coffee Plantation Tours. Tours start winter 2009-2010 and will be $15 per person. Call Rincon Vacations at 787.632.2889 for tour information and booking.
Rincon Puerto Rico
Looking for a good cup of joe while in Rincon? Craving a real American-style coffee house? Look no further than Banana Dang.
Banana Dang is a great local coffee shop located on the 413, next to the Lazy Parrot Inn. They serve great coffe, cappucinos, espressos, the works - not to mention yummy smoothies. Most of their coffee tea is from local Puerto Rican farms and if not the only, they are one of the only places in Rincon that has computers to use if you need to check your internet but didn't haul your computer all the way to PR. (there's free internet use too, if you do have a computer to use) The staff is friendly, the interior is cozy and modern and the acai bowl in awesome. Be sure to check it out at least once during your stay.
From www.virginatlantic.com...
Virgin Atlantic today announced it will start flying between London Gatwick and Puerto Rico’s San Juan for the winter season 2009/2010. The weekly services, which will operate via Antigua, begin on 7 November 2009.
Puerto Rico will complement the airline’s strong presence in the Caribbean with existing flights to Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, Tobago, Havana and Jamaica.
Steve Ridgway, Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic commented:
"We are delighted to be flying to Puerto Rico, popularly known as the Island of Enchantment, this winter. This colourful, diverse and culturally unique island is a welcome addition to our Caribbean programme. From the stunning beaches and tropical rainforests to the charming colonial city of San Juan, there is something for every holidaymaker.
"The launch of these services allows our sister company Virgin Holidays to offer a range of fantastic cruise holidays from the island, meaning that even more Virgin travellers can enjoy what this beautiful island has to offer."
The new Puerto Rico flight will operate on Saturdays from 7 November 2009 to 24 April 2010. From 7 November 2009 to 27 March 2010 flight VS081 will depart from London Gatwick at 09:25 and arrive in San Juan at 16.05. Between 3 April 2010 and 24 April 2010 the flight will depart Gatwick at 09:25 and arrive San Juan at 15:05. On return, from 7th November 2009 to 27th March 2010, flight VS082 departs San Juan at 18.35 and arrives at London Gatwick at 09:35 the following day. From 3 April 2010 to 24 April 2010 the flight will depart San Juan at 17:35 and arrives at London Gatwick at 09:35 the following day. The scheduled flights are operated on a Boeing 747-400 aircraft via Antigua and will have a configuration of 14 Upper Class, 58 Premium Economy and 379 Economy seats. Virgin Atlantic currently flies to 30 destinations worldwide. The airline carried nearly six million passengers last year and has 38 aircraft in its modern fleet.
For further information, please contact the Virgin Atlantic Press Office on 01293 747373 or log onto www.virginatlantic.com
Rincon Puerto Rico
Italian in Puerto Rico? Well, yes, it does exist. It's not usually right of the boat authentic (and lasagne usually comes with a side of plantains), but it does exist. Normally if we're in the mood for Italian food we head over to Bambino's (just off the 115 in town, south of the Econo). The prices are good and their Italian food is decent. But, the other weekend we were exploring in downtown Anasco and came across a new and interesting Italian restaurant: Capriccio's (I might totally be butchering the spelling there, but it's pronouced Ca-preech-e-o). On the recommendation of a friend, we headed there after exploring the festival they were holding around the plaza (downtown Anasco has a pretty little plaza - quite a bit bigger than Rincon's, with a church and a good layout for a festival - if you're ever in the mood for exploring). I'm slaughtering all the details, because I would love to tell you officially what the festival was celebrating, but all I can remember was that is was in honor of the local bread.
As soon as you enter, you can tell that Capriccio is a bit of an anomoly in Puerto Rican dining. You definetely feel transported out of Puerto Rico (not quite to Italy, but somewhere nice nonetheless). They've obviously spent a lot of time an energy on the design and ambiance of the restaurant and it is probably the most "fine dining" experience we've had yet on the West Coast (do note: we've never eaten at the Horned Dorset in Rincon, which I hear would really be your five-star dining experience). You'll get a kick out of the ceiling (I won't give away the surprise).
The menu is moderately priced - pastas were $12 - 19 and meat/seafood entrees were in the $20's. The service was very friendly and attentive. To start, we ordered an appetizer of risotto croquettes which were very tasty and I ended up with a penne tossed with proscuitto and tomatoes in a garlic cream sauce and Justin had a chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella, proscuitto, basil and another creamy sauce. Although very heavy and decadent, the entress were great and the portion size was generous. Both entrees came with an extra side of vegetables and the entress had an option to add pasta for $3. The pasta side was a full dish of pasta with sauce, nothing to shirk at.
Probably the highlight of our meal was the authentic creme brulee for dessert - you could tell that it was made fresh in house and carmalzied perfectly on top.
Hungry yet?
All in all, it was a good experience and if you've been here for awhile and are a little tired of the same old dining options, it's worth a trip to Anasco to check it out. Take the little lady there for a special occasion or just use it as an excuse to get out of town.
Buen Provecho!
I've wanted to write about the Ann Wigmore Institute in Rincon and wish I had more time at the moment. But, to give you a quick run down, the Ann Wigmore is a Live Foods Institue and Natural Wellness Center located just off the 115 in Rincon, on your way to Aguada. Their philosophy is focused around the Living Foods Lifestyle - similar to raw food theory, but it takes it one step further.
From their website...
"Our founder, Dr. Ann Wigmore was a pioneer in the use of wheatgrass juice and Living Foods for detoxifying and healing the body. We offer a variety of educational programs and retreats to suit your needs....
With this simple, economical lifestyle you can achieve the highest quality nourishment. Living Foods go far beyond raw. They are organic, fresh, uncooked fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, all prepared for optimal assimilation by blending, sprouting and culturing. Their abundant nutrients and enzymes give the body the materials and energy it needs to regain and maintain vibrant health."
"Ann Wigmore developed the Living Foods Lifestyle® to overcome disease and improve the quality of life. She believed that there are two main causes of disease: deficiency and toxemia. Deficiency means that our bodies are undernourished because we cannot get the nutrients we need from undigestble cooked food. Toxemia is a term used to describe poisons that are stored in the body. These toxins are formed from eating unnatural, processed, and pesticide-tainted foods, as well as through destructive emotions and stress. Living Foods, which are easy to digest and rich in nutrients, combat this deficiency. The Living Foods Lifestyle® also addresses the problem of toxemia: when the body isn't using all its energy to digest food, it can turn to other tasks, such as releasing stored toxins and healing.
Living Foods are preferably organically-grown foods consumed in their original, uncooked state. Living Foods are prepared without cooking because cooking destroys the enzyme life force. The Living Foods Lifestyle® is vegan: it uses no meat, dairy, or any other animal product.
However, Living Foods are not simply raw foods. Because many people cannot digest raw foods, Living Foods are prepared in a way that makes them easy for the body to assimilate and extract optimal nourishment. Living Foods include young greens; sprouted nuts, seeds, and grains; cultured preparations; and dehydrated foods. Fresh wheatgrass juice adds an unparalleled level of nutrition, vitality, and health."
Learn more at www.AnnWigmore.org
Rincon Puerto Rico
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