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August 7, 2024
Puerto Rico Trip
This is a guest post from Faith Bradshaw. What an amazing trip! We're glad you two were able to spend this quality time together.
-- Carrie & Yu
This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to take my mother on a dream trip to Puerto Rico—a place she'd long wanted to visit. She had never flown before and just needed a little nudge, so I surprised her by booking the tickets and giving her a week's notice. Our adventure was filled with delicious food, engaging conversations with amazing people, a bit of Spanish practice, stunning landscapes, and a rich immersion into the island's history and culture.
We spent most of our time in San Juan, staying in the lively Calle Loíza area, known for its vibrant street art and mouth watering seafood restaurants like La Cueva del Mar. My mother adored the historic charm of Old San Juan. We dedicated two days to exploring its shops, snorkeling at public beaches, and wandering the scenic trails around El Morro, a picturesque Spanish fort dating back to 1539. If you're a cat lover, Old San Juan is a paradise! My mother, who regularly fosters cats, was thrilled to meet and pet the many cats that roam the area. We even carried treats in our day packs to share with our newfound feline friends.
Some of my favorite memories were from our excursions outside the city. We took day trips to the beautiful beaches and food kiosks of Luquillo, hiked through the lush El Yunque National Forest, and savored fresh fruit from roadside stands. One of the most unforgettable experiences was visiting Cueva Del Indio, an archaeological site near Arecibo. These sea caves, home to the island's largest collection of Taíno petroglyphs from the 13th century, were absolutely breathtaking. The climb to the top offered stunning views of the coastline and crystal-clear waters. Getting down into the caves required some nerve—there's no longer a ladder, so I had to carefully navigate a crevice in the rock while waves crashed below. It was a thrilling and nerve-wracking experience, but I'm so glad I did it. Meanwhile, my mother, staying safely above, befriended yet another cat.
We capped off our trip with a visit to the stunning Mar Chiquita beach on my mother's birthday. The oval cove, protected by natural limestone walls, was the perfect place to relax, soak up the sun, and watch the waves crash in.
This trip was a magical experience, and I hope to return someday to explore the southern and mountainous regions of the island. If you ever get the chance to visit Puerto Rico, don't hesitate—it's a destination you won't forget!
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