Again, we were so impressed with the decor of the Casablanca Hotel when we awakened. Neither Jim nor I like moving every single day as it seems to take away the day with repacking, etc. We picked up our rental car and started driving south on a freeway. We were pleased not to see too much traffic. The jungle (El Junque) was off to the north, and very inviting. However, we peservered to get to Fajardo as early as possible. Once there we were enveloped in a mass of streets with basically no directions to follow. After wandering (some of the same streets), for about 45 minutes, we finally found the Fajardo Inn, described as a top-notch resort inn without the wrist bracelets.
It was lovely, very large, but with almost no customers there. We rested awhile and headed to the massive pool for a quick swim before dinner at one of their restaurants, a Mexican theme.
Walking outside was heavenly, with such sweetly fragrant flowers. We meandered down to the lower pool as it was the largest, wandering here and there, from 2.5 feet (walking level) to 5 feet. There were benches in the water under the trees, waterfalls, and even a slide. We were the only ones in the pool and it was so refreshing.
We have been surprised that so much of Puerto Rico is like Mexico and very poor. Somehow we thought that since it was a possession of the U.S., it would not be like other third world countries. There is much security for the nicer homes (those similar to poor homes in the U.S., but intact, and often filled with trash), including gates and fences around the property, bars on windows, etc.) This somewhat disappointed us, probably because we hadn't anticipated it. Jim and I have been in much poorer countries without this reaction.
November 1
We headed down to the Fajardo ferry dock for the hour ride to Vieques ($2/each). We had about a two-hour wait and I took this photo of a rusty old boat next to the dock and in front of high rise buildings.
We finally could buy our tickets here. Culebra is another island not far from Vieques. It is said to be laid-back and peaceful, without all the tourists. However, we wanted to go to Viegues to see the bio-luminescent bay, Mosquito Bay, the largest in the world.
Our ferry had mechanical problems so it was delayed. We waited in a hot line for about 45 minutes standing, before we finally could board. By the time Jim and I got on, there were no two seats together; and after a three hour wait when we were the first ones there, Jim was pretty steamed!
The taxi to our hotel was only $3 each and it is right in the heart of everything, on a hill a block above the waterfront businesses and the beach. The air-conditioning has cured all our woes, and there's even a nice-sized pool to refresh us before we head to the waterfront for dinner.
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