Fajardo

Editor's note: this should have posted on 2/7/16.

We woke up to the sun and wanted to try a local breakfast joint that we read about on TripAdvisor. It was #1 on the entire island and just around the corner (in Puerto Rican terms) from our hotel. After getting turned around and battling the tiny streets and lack of parking combined with the worst drivers on planet earth, we arrived at Las Vistas Cafe at Siete Mares Bay Inn a bit frazzled. When we got to the rooftop restaurant (fine- it was the rooftop of a house in a random neighborhood), were greeted by a kind-faced older woman, Gladys. Jackson told her "table for two" and she admonished to slowdown and introduce himself. I was cracking up. Anyone who calls Jackson on his rudeness is fine by me. We introduced ourselves to our new friend and were shown to our table. We received a fruit bowl with local fruit and nuts ($10- we learned later!) to enjoy with our coffee before eventually getting menus. Gladys was not in a hurry and would not stand for Jackson's attempts to speed her up.

Fruit bowl

Please note the little discs of bread on Jackson's plate
They're heavenly. He had what amounted to
potato and egg pie.

huevos rancheros for me!

They only filled the coffee cups midway so that your drink didn't get cold. Jackson was not having this and consistently asked for a full pour. HA!! I am cracking up remembering their faces. The waitstaff had no idea how to take this pushy American man. We ended up really enjoying ourselves and the food. We even promised Gladys that we would return the following day.

The view

Jackson with Gladys, his new friend

We left Gladys and all of our new friends behind and headed to El Yunque Rain Forest. We missed visiting it last time and we did not want to let that happen again. It was a nice and warm day so the shade of the rain forest was just what we needed to get some activity in for the day.

SO LUSH!

A road run through the park and you
can park and hike at intervals

Waterfall!

We climbed a historic tower to get these views

Gorgeous!

The clouds over the mountains were amazing

Petefish.

More waterfalls

Jackson decided to go for a swim.

It was a bit crowded, but not too bad for a weekend!

Still hanging out

The hike to this waterfall was not exactly easy. For some reason the Puerto Rican way of taking things slow translated to people poking along on the trail. We kept having to kindly pass them by so we could break a sweat. People, hiking is not to be done by snails! When we got to the waterfall Jackson wanted to go in. I was not super comfortable with the slippery rocks and decided to keep hiking. That was when we had a little communication gap and Jackson did not know I was going to finish the trail. He finished his little dip in the falls and could not find me. He asked around to see if people had seen me, they said they had not (I am entirely too average to be remembered!). He continued the trail that I went down, but we was quite a bit behind me. He then turned back to the falls to make sure he didn't miss me there. Meanwhile, I'm hiking along assuming he'll catch up. I make it to the end and realize that I have both our phones. I'm now alone in the rain forest in Puerto Rico. I mean, that's cool. At least I have the car keys. I helped a couple of older people along the trail (it got a bit steep and slippery in spots) before making it back to find a very relieved Jackson waiting at the falls. This is where I must give him credit. If the same "communication gap" had left me without a cellphone or car keys one could have seen the steam coming out of my ears. He was just so darned happy to see me that he hugged me and we set off for the car. We made the hike back out in record time, continuing to pass the snails, and completing exhausting ourselves. Like magic, at the end of the hike there was a man selling fresh-squeezed lemonade which is likely my favorite thing on the planet. We gladly paid $5 for one (it was only $3 and I tipped heavily because I was so happy to see him. He actually danced at getting this tip which was delightful.) and sucked it down.

The best lemonade EVER

All in all, the Puerto Ricans move slow but are friendly and grateful so we are happy to deal with a little bit of snail-dom. The drive into the park was interesting in that we cut through a village. The village had a demonstration of the cross being carried up a hill with random dogs following the churchgoers. We also got behind a road race with 7 runners who kept walking instead of running. It was...charming. The way out we took the more standard route and got on their version of the interstate to get back to our resort.

The resort grounds

The resort on the hill

On a boat! 

We did not get back from the hike until mid afternoon so we quickly changed to get to the resort's beach which is on a little island they ferry you over to. It had just rained which is typical there so the island was all but empty. Score!

Not the best beach day...

We ended up not being super impressed with their little island and it did not help that the sun had gone away for the afternoon. After hanging out for a bit we caught the ferry back to the resort. Likely the ferry ride was the best part of that whole process. 

We were pleased to see a gorgeous sunset from our room in the basement that evening.

Sunset!

Handsome Jackson

We attempted to go to another local restaurant for dinner, but it was packed and we had no chance of getting in. After some debate we landed at a Pizza Hut. I know. I'd be jealous, too. I can say that Pizza Hut is pretty standard wherever you go which means it was overpriced and not delicious, but we lived. It was a fun day and we are looking forward to another great vacation day tomorrow!