University of Puerto Rico Botanical Gardens
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Another ‘Top 10″ attraction of PR and San Juan in particular.
Yes, the gardens on the grounds of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) had been on my original ‘hit-list’ of places to see. I’m a little ashamed I had not come to visit before now. The SJ Photo MeetUp Group decided to come back and check it out so that was all the 
excuse I needed.
Though some tropical plants flower year round, this is the tail end of the summertime flower explosion. There is something in bloom year round, but it was evident that many things had gone to seed or past that. The dry season starts in late December so most things go into a… Continue reading
Posted in Greater San Juan Metroplex, Old San Juan | 
Agricultural Experimental Station, Aquatic Garden, Association of Sugar Producers, Bamboo Chapel, Botanical Garden South, Bromeliad Garden, Caguas Botanical Gardens, Carambola, Ficus benjamina, Flor de Magna, Fountains, Highway 1, Highway 21, Highway 3, Hurricane Hugo, Medicinal Plant, Monet Garden, Sculpture Garden, SJ Photo MeetUp Group, Star Fruit, sugarcane, Tropical Agricultural Research Station of Mayaguez, UPR grounds | 
Leave a commentJuncos Meetup and Lunch on a Sunny Saturday
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A few weeks back, the Photography Enthusiasts Meetup Group (of San Juan, PR) made a run to Juncos. We all met at the Plaza and then preceded to work our way around the downtown area, shooting local color.
I made the drive to Juncos solo.. me First Mate stayed home.
Though I was a little apprehensive about it, I made all the ‘right’ turns and got there in record time.
Learning Spanish is going slowly, but I can get by in a pinch.
Can you say–
Pollo Asado,
Pincho, Cerveza, Pitorro, taza de Café, Baños,
Uno, Dos, Tres? And maybe Cuba Libre?
GOOD!
As I got near the plaza I… Continue reading
Posted in Isla Mountain Central, Puerto Rico | bamboo culms, Catholic church, cemetery, Cerro de Nandy, crypts, Deuce-and-a-Half, DSL, graffiti, graves, Home Style Puerto Rican, horse, HughesNet, Hwy 181, Juncos Alcaldia, mausoleums, Nandy, Paradise Tax, Photography Enthusiasts Meetup Group, Rabbit, Rio Valenciano, San Lorenzo, troop carrier | 1 Comment2nd Annual Coffee Expo of PR & Lunch too
Me First Mate and I had been looking very forward to the Coffee Expo.. it did not disappoint. When we got there at 10:30AM, the Expo had only been open a couple hours.
This was also an opportunity to check out the Dr. Pedro Rossello Convention Center of San Juan, built in 2005. It is yet another jewel in the crown of Greater San Juan. 
A beautifully designed, massive steel and glass structure. The surrounding grounds and reflection pool are also quite impressive. It stands as a grand tribute to artful, but functional architectural design.
It is located very near the Old San Juan district and Condado. We had to cross… Continue reading
Posted in Greater San Juan Metroplex, Old San Juan | Adjuntas, Aroma del Cielo, Cafe Don Pallo, Ciales, Coffee Expo, Condado, Dr. Pedro Rossello Convention Center of San Juan, Facebook, Guinness World Record, Gustos Espresso Bar, Hacienda Don Jose, Hacienda Monte Alto, Mi Madre Pique, Mia Dolce Passione, Microsoft Silverlight, Mofongo, Monin' Gourmet Coffee Flavorings, News is my Business, Old San Juan, Orcovis, pique, Pomarrosa Cafe, PR Tea, Sheraton Hotel, Starbucks, The Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico, Toro Verde | 1 CommentPuerto Rico Coffee Expo– October 8th & 9th
This is a short heads-up about the Coffee Expo this coming weekend in San Juan. I’ll be reporting on the experience in a couple weeks. Did I mention it’s free?
Details: Second annual event. Admission is free. Parking is $6 per vehicle. 9AM to 6PM both days. Over 100 exhibitors and live music. Web site is in Spanish or English. Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico, 100 Convention Blvd., San Juan Puerto Rico 00907
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The Old Spanish Ruins of Maunabo
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This is a follow up to my last post about the Land Crab Festival in Maunabo. I did not get into any background on the town last time so I’ll do it now.
The ruins of Central Matuyas shown here are from a much earlier time than the Roig Mill in Yabucoa or the Central Aguirre ruins near Salinas. 
They date to Spanish colonial rule. Maunabo was founded in 1779 or 1799 depending on the historian. Before that, it was
considered part of Guayama. So it’s very old.
Maunabo has a much more ‘laid-back’, rural feel to it.
It’s almost as if time slowed down here. Sure, there are still plenty of cell phones and new… Continue reading
Maunabo Land Crab Festival, Sept 4th 2011
This report is a little bit late, but I wanted to get it in before the end of the month. ‘Been very busy with other posts and work on the home front. Also had issues with electricity and our DSL service during the last 2 storms.
We are getting hit with an early afternoon downpour as I peck this out..
Maunabo’s Land Crab Festival was a fantastic local celebration and if you ever get the opportunity to check it out, it’s a ‘Must See’. We were there on a Sunday and the weather was pretty good, right up until we left, around 4:30 PM. In fact, it was down right hot, if you were not in the… Continue reading
Talk Like A Pirate Day, Revisited– ARRG!
This post is dedicated to the one day each year when ye can strut around talking like a pirate and not sound too stupid. September 19th.
OK… ye might sound stupid anyway, but what the heck.
I did a very extensive post on the subject last year. I’ll be honoring Ol’ Chumbucket an’ Cap’n Slappy with a post every year about this time. They have a site dedicated to all things Pirate and are the original creators of– ‘Talk Like A Pirate Day’. They rate a big ARRRGG!!!!
Be warned… this here content is for adult eyes only. So if ye be less than drink’n age, cover your face before moving on. Lest ye be keelhauled… Continue reading
Posted in Liv'n Large in Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Detours | Auburndale, benevolent dictator, Black Roberts, Cap'n Slappy, Cerveza, Christmas, Crimson: Steam Pirates, Cutthroat Island, Florida, Geena Davis, Haemimont Games, iPad, Jack Sparrow, Jamaican, Mac OSX, Magna, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Matthew Modine, Mayaguez, micro-breweries, Ol' Chumbucket, Pirates, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pitorro, Port Royal, Russell Crowe, Steampunk, Tropico 4 | 1 CommentRemains of Central Roig Sugar Mill in Yabucoa
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This was the second day of our trip to Yabucoa and the last of 3 posts. I only had about an hour and a half to check out this site so I’ll have to come back for more shots. There are some fine-art opportunities here.
By most accounts, Central Roig was the last functional sugar mill on the island.
Operations formally ceased in early 2000. This came only after the government of Puerto Rico stepped in to try and save the sugar industry, but it was not to be. After losing $1.2 Billion over 26 years, they finally gave up.
Puerto Rico could no longer compete with the cheap labor in Cuba, the Dominican Republic or Latin America.… Continue reading
Posted in Isla East Region, Puerto Rico | Antonio Roig, beetles, blue-line reproductions, Central Aguirre, Central Mercedita, Dispensario, draftsman, Flikr, Gómez, grinding mill, La Rosario Hacienda, Méndez y Cia, Pitoro, press juice, Puerto Rico Herald, Puerto Rico Sugar Corp., termites, xeroxed records | 2 CommentsScenic Hwy 3, Punta Tuna Lighthouse & Beaches
As mentioned in my last Post from Yabucoa, I am exploring the southeast coast in more detail. Thanx to Tony, we were able to hang around a couple extra days.
Hwys 3 & 901 along the coast between Patillas and Yabucoa.
Highway 3 (and Hwy 901) has to be one of the most beautiful drives on the entire island.
It is mentioned in several travel guides as a ‘Must See’. It meanders along the coast sometimes running up the mountain to avoid the sheer cliffs below, then back down to the shoreline. It is peppered with weekend bars and restaurants of all kinds
Highway 3 is very old… I have maps that show it dating back… Continue reading
Posted in Isla East Region, Puerto Rico | Aguacate, Hermit Crabs, Hwy 53, Hwy 906, Hwy 9914, Lighthouse, Noni, Punta Guayanes, Sea Grapes, Turtle Beach, Yabucoa | 1 CommentThe Scurvy Dog’s Skull Rating System
San Juan, Puerto Rico Weather
Beautiful, Colorful Checks of Puerto Rico
PR Tours and Day Trips..
Ponce the Pearl City from San Juan
Price: $ 98.99
Ponce is a unique historical city with many museums and attractions; if you can’t spend a few days to see it all, you must take this tour. See Tibes Indian Ceremonial Park and Seralles Castle, with the city’s stately plazas and mansions, the famous red and black firehouse.
Zipline Canopy Eco-Adventure Tour from San Juan
A Memorable and Exhiliarating Experience!
Rio Camuy Cave Park and Arecibo Observatory from San Juan
Price: $ 101.65
From the depths of these dramatic caves to the stars above in one day!
Deep Sea Fishing Private Boat Charter in San Juan
Full Day or Half, sport fishing for dorado, wahoo, sailfish, tuna and blue marlin…
Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Half-Day Tour
Price: $ 54.99
Amazon.com PR Hot Picks
Order the Good Stuff Here
A Great Way to Make Coffee
Puerto Rican Flags and Banners
Fly Your Flag With Pride
Info to Help With Planning Your Trip
The Little Things You Need
B&H Photo/Video of NYC!
Scuttlebutt.. On the Dog’s Blog