A dream trip in a paradise setting

"Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning..." these are words from an old song. But, I have a new twist on them. I say, "nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina, Puerto Rico, with my honey!" 


Carolina is the birthplace of Roberto Clemente, my husband's childhood hero. We had previously taken a trip to Pittsburgh to see the Pirates play, and photograph (may I say many times over) the Roberto Clemente bridge that leads to the ballpark.  My husband also took a trip to the Hall of Fame and soaked up all that was Roberto. But, to be in his hometown, and to see my husband overcome with emotion, is almost beyond describable.

Our trip to Puerto Rico began with a photo of our resort, The "Gran Melia" in a Cookie Lee magazine. The best of the jewelry company will be going on an incentive trip there in May 2012. 

The pool shot alone sold me on the place. That, and knowing how much Mitch loves Roberto Clemente, sealed the deal. We planned the trip in February and it was a long (but worth it) wait until Nov 1st.


We landed at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (which is actually a part of Carolina, not San Juan) and thus began our wonderful week. Every August Carolina honors their hero with a Roberto Clemente Week. We made our own "Roberto Clemente Week."


First, it was off to see the Stadium and then Sports City. Mitch was under the wrong impression that a cenotaph was located there. Imagine his dismay when we got there and found the gates locked. Sports City is being renovated (more on that later). We then went to the home of Roberto Clemente. We thought it was under new ownership, but later found out that his widow, Vera, still lives there.

Statue at the Stadium

Statue at Sports City

House where Roberto Clemente lived

Backyard with a glove, "21", ball and bat

After our first day of Clemente, we went back to the resort, did what tourists must do (we drank Coco Chocos  which are Pina Coladas  with chocolate) and ate Puerto Rican appetizers. We spent the night doing something remarkable - night kayaking on a bio luminescent lagoon. 

On our second full day, Mitch went golfing at Trump International and we got to experience the clear warm 84 degree weather followed by the warm 84 degree rain. We bundled up for a few holes and kept on playing.  After golf we drove about an hour to the Bacardi distillery where we had a great tour and two free samples. I never knew the bat was the mascot for Bacardi.

Strange nest made by insects

Bacardi Rules!

 For dinner, we ate at our restaurant at the resort. I had my first of three dinners with Mamposteao  (red beans and rice mixed together) and I need to find a fix here soon. I'm addicted to it.

Whole Red Snapper and Mamposteao

Several days into our trip we finally found this cenotaph. It wasn't at the Sports City or the Stadium. Luckily, Mitch brought a book from home that showed a photo of it and we conversed with a worker at the Stadium who was able to get us in the general direction. After a stop at a local pharmacy, and a very helpful pharmacist,  we were finally there!


Cenotaph:http://www..com/.cenotaph.html

The body of the legendary baseball player and philanthropist Roberto Clemente was lost at sea on December 31, 1972 as he attempted to deliver food and medical supplies to the victims of the devastating earthquake in Nicaragua.

A cenotaph commemorates and exalts the life and virtues of a hero whose body has been lost in action and cannot be recovered. The three monumental reliefs which constitute the Clemente Cenotaph relate the main events in his life from birth to death.

The sculptural work is 30 ft. long by 7 1/2 ft. high, has over 44 full-size figures and is located in the center of the sport facilities of the home town of Clemente in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

José Buscaglia sculptor

Left side

Middle

Right Side

After this emotional find, we went for a leisurely hike to a waterfall in El Yunque rain forest. Upon our return we settled in by the pool for a little libation. Nothing like having your drink in a coconut!

El Yunque Rain Forest

La Mina Falls

X marks the spot. From a photo to reality!

It wasn't sunset, it was a full bright sun, but this is how the picture turned out

On Saturday we headed off to Old San Juan. This is a beautiful place still rich in Spanish and Colonial architecture. It also has an European essence.

San Juan Gate, the last standing gate

walkway to El Morro Fort

Cemetery in Old San Juan

I loved the narrow streets with blue cobblestone

The birds, the birds.......!

On Sunday, Mitch played a second round of Golf at Rio Mar which was about 15 minutes away. The entire golf course was covered with Iguanas.

Mitch got a par on the Signature 16th hole!

On Monday we made plans to check out the beach in Luquillo which was only about 20 minutes from our resort. They call it the Puerto Rican Riviera.  We had to wait out a little rain in our car, but then it was sunny and we headed outside. The water of the Atlantic certainly is way warmer than the Pacific Ocean my feet know.

Near the beach is a row of about 60 kiosks. Imagine my surprise when I found one named for me!

Mi Kiosk!

After the beach we headed back to our hotel and waited out the longest three hours. You see, my persistent and persuasive husband had managed to get in touch with Luis Clemente, the second son of Roberto Clemente, and arrange for him to come have dinner with us.  Not only did he do that, he spent four hours with us. Mitch can now die a happy man!

Luis shared with us that Sports City is being renovated. He is trying to bring in some commercial aspects like a golf course and hotel, and improve the sports facility. He needs help and is starting to reach out to the states to raise funds.

Our "Clemente Week" is over, but not the story. Somehow, I don't think we've heard the last of the Clemente name. I can see Mitch going back to Puerto Rico and keeping in touch with Luis.

Luis, myself, and a very happy Mitch

Mitch reading what Luis wrote 

Mano a  Mano

 As for me, I will forever love Mitch,  Bacardi drinks, Don Q Mojito Rum, Fried Cheesecake, and Mamposteao!




Cheers,
Sylvia 

Siri-ously!

We've come a long way from my childhood days of playing telephone with tin cans, and walkie talkie conversations.

Today we can do so much with our smart phones. And now with the iPhone 4S, we can have our own personal assistants. Siri voice recognition is like a virtual secretary. The only thing missing is the short skirts and high heels. Of course, there probably will be an app for that soon. We will be able to create our own virtual secretary complete with a wardrobe and sexy voice!

But today's version can take dictation, check your calendar, schedule appointments, read text messages, check stock quotes, and even find a nearby restaurant.

You can talk to Siri with your own voice. You don't have to use simple commands.  This is a highly educated, right out of Silicon Valley, secretary!

I wonder what will be next.  Will the phone be able to react to the tone of our voice? Will it be able to suggest a massage when it hears tension in our voice? Will it suggest a trip to the casino when it hears confidence and a winning attitude? Will it tell us to go to bed when it hears pure exhaustion?

The possibilities seem endless.

I'm going to go practice my Siri voices.

Sylvia

It's a hard life being a dog!

Today I did something I haven't done in all my fifty years!  I walked a dog! 

hmm wonder what I can sniff over here!

 Actually, I think the dog walked me.  I only took it around my block. But, we stopped at least nine times, and six of those were for marking purposes!

Or here

or even over here!

Dogs certainly are territorial!  This one is especially cute!  It sounds like a Seal.  When my neighbors arrive home, we get the "Seal" welcome.  I wasn't sure the dog would do this for me, but I was also greeted with a loud "Arr,  Arr......"

The dog's name is Tucker. 

Let me roll around and play for a bit!

 I'm not even sure if it's a boy or girl. I forgot to look. I have no idea what kind of dog it is.  But, none of that matters.  Within minutes you become a dog lover!

I'm ready for my closeup!

The dog days of summer!

Sylvia

A positive affirmation at a steal of a price!

Today while walking home from Erik's Deli with a "Natural High" in my tummy, I came upon a discount store called "Junk Drawer."  With time on my hands I decided to check it out. There was a rack outside the door with a $2.00 sign.  I found a jacket, with no size, but a saying that caught my eye; "I like my life."

I went inside the store, checked out the goodies which the store manager told me were mostly from estate sales, and then decided to buy the positive affirmation. It was only going to be $2.00, so I thought, "why not?"

When he rang me up he only charged me $1.09. Even better!

So I came on home, tried on the jacket and decided I didn't like the fit. But, I couldn't put the saying away.  I decided to give new life to an old jacket. I cut out the portion that had the saying and put if over a trivet.  I now have a new decoration in my kitchen window that I can look at every time I wash dishes.

After all, when you are in the middle of a chore is the perfect time to say, "I like my life!"



Today was a good day! I got some exercise, ate my favorite sandwich, and got a positive message.

I like my life!

Sylvia

What a nice way to spend a day!



View from Lookout Point


Today Mitch and I took off for a stroll around Montalvo. I haven't been there for years, and I've never hiked the trails.  It was a glorious day for a hike. I don't believe it hit 80, at least until we reached the top of lookout trail. That trail is definitely worth hiking. It's a bit steep at times, but the panoramic view of the valley is well worth the trek.
Montalvo has beautiful grounds and some very interesting art installations. The trees have even become part of the artistic mosaic!



Bird houses adorn this tree



Glass pieces shine on this tree

 I found the sculptures interesting and I've decided you must always do a 360 around them. Sometimes the back side is even more interesting than the front side.


The back is even more interesting than the front!



This is called Head of Man

    

This piece is called Haywire

This is called Broken Wing



We strolled in the formal gardens which didn't have too much in the way of flowering plants, but did have some unique cactus plants.



After our hike/stroll through Montalvo, it was off to quench our thirst. The Chevy's $3.00 Midori Margarita and $3.00 table side guacamole did the trick. 

Montalvo is free to enter, and with our 3:00p.m. Happy Hour the day was quite affordable, and priceless! You can't put a monetary value on time spent with your loved one.






Egyptian relaxation!



We are just a small part of nature!

Spectacular views!



I just liked this lantern!



Floating flowers in the fountain!

From the paths that poets take,
memories I did make!

Poet's Walk


Sylvia