Isla Mountain Central, Puerto Rico

The Botanical and Cultural Gardens of Caguas

Jardin Botanico y Cultural de Caguas

This most beautiful, lush park covers 60 acres.

Another, much larger botanical garden is located in San Juan on the grounds of the University of Puerto Rico. There is a 3rd botanical garden located near Mayaguez, also run by the University. Both of which I plan to visit sometime down the road. There are also several smaller private gardens as well.

Getting to the Caguas Botanical Gardens is pretty straightforward. From San Juan, you take Hwy 18 South to Hwy 52 South and get off at Exit 18. Take Hwy 196 to the right. Hwy 196 ends at the driveway to the Jardin Botanico y Cultural de Caguas where it intersects Hwy 156. [Read more…] about The Botanical and Cultural Gardens of Caguas

Toro Negro.. a Sunday Drive into the Mountains

One of the most overlooked and under-reported areas of Puerto Rico is the Central Mountain Area. I’ve explored less than 10% of it at this point. There is plenty to see here. The vistas can be quite grand. I would describe it as being very hilly… lots of ups and downs with lots of ‘paved’ narrow messed-up roads. I love driving it, but you do have to stay on your toes. [Read more…] about Toro Negro.. a Sunday Drive into the Mountains

From the Road: Degetau’s Rock to Coamo, Part 2

Video Part 2 – Aibonito to Coamo

My visit to the Garden with a View at ‘Mirador Piedra Degetau’ was such a gorgeous perfect day! This is the video I shot driving back down the road from Aibonito and it was a great way to end that day. You can see where we stopped and had a Pincho and beer before heading on down the mountain.

Video From the Road: Downhill to Coamo

Or as I like to call it – “The Aibonito Speedway”

This ‘From the Road’ video was ‘squashed’ to double speed (2X) with iMovie (edited in Final Cut Express), allowing me to include more footage without going over YouTube’s time limit.

Background music was courtesy of the Free Music Archive a great resource for my videos!

Yes – the uphill video was a calmer, more leisurely and scenic route. You can see the Coamo to Aibonito Video next, if you missed it..

Degetau’s Rock was covered in a previous post as well as being the subject of my first QTVR Panorama. A carefully handcrafted virtual reality image – which unfortunately does not translate to YouTube format. It worked beautifully as a QuickTime image. You could manually turn the image to see the view from every direction. I had to remove that link since there currently isn’t a convenient way to experience it. Progress isn’t always progress.

It’s been somewhat cooler and wetter here in Coamo. I’m doing catch-up with the material I have and will post up more as soon as it is ready to roll.

From the Road: Coamo to Degetau’s Rock, Part 1

As promised, here is Part One of the run from Coamo to the
‘Mirador Piedra Degetau’ located in Aibonito. It was featured in a previous post.

The Ride to Mirador Piedra Degetau

This is the first ‘From the Road’ video where I squashed it to double speed with iMovie (then into FinalCut Express to edit). This allowed me to include more footage without going over YouTube’s 10 minute limit. My background music sound track was courtesy of the Free Music Archive. I’ve used this great resource often and truly appreciate their work!

Editing HD video from a laptop is very, very time consuming.

This 9 minute, 21 second video is actually 18 minutes, 42 seconds in length. I tried it at 3 times actual speed, but it was just too intense – it made me dizzy! As usual, it was shot with my VadoHD videocam mounted to the roof rack of my SUV, giving you a great vantage point to observe from.

VadoHD VidCam Mounted Inside Custom Bracket and Clamped to Roof Rack of SUV, Back View Showing Bubble Level in Puerto Rico

Up Next – Coming Back Down

Part Two is the return trip via a different route and it’s even more hair raising than any I have shot to date. The mountain roads of Puerto Rico are a blast to drive, but you do have to stay on your toes!

You can see that Road Video next!

I made another run into San Juan about a week ago and have new material from that trip as well, AND an HD video shot from the open trolley making the rounds from El Morro, through Old San Juan to the docks. Soo much to do – soo little time. Arrg!!!!!

Degetau’s Observation Stone.. a Panoramic View

Wide-angle View from Top of Observation Tower, Mirador Piedra Degetau Near Aibonito, Puerto Rico

Formally known as-“Mirador Piedra Degetau”, this is a must see. It’s free and is well worth checking out. Located in Aibonito, it’s a key feature of the ‘Ruta Panoramica’. On a clear day, you will see Ponce and Coffin island to the south. You can even see the El Morro Fort or cruise ships leaving the harbor of Old San Juan to the North. Turn a little and see the towns of Cayey and Barranquitas. There are a couple of coin operated telescopes atop the wooden observation tower.

Immaculately Maintained Grounds of Mirador Piedra Degetau Near Aibonito, Puerto Rico It was a beautiful day, the day I was there..

cool and crisp.

Aibonito sits at 2,401 feet (the highest town in PR) and is nicknamed the “Switzerland of PR”. Because of its elevation, it’s much cooler than most of PR. Because of the cooler climate it was once a popular retreat for the wealthy families of the island. Take a drive through the area and see many of its splendid older homes. Aibonito is also the home of a huge flower festival. The Annual ‘Festival de las Flores’ takes place each July.

View of Observation Tower from Below, Mirador Piedra Degetau Near Aibonito, Puerto Rico The “stone view” is dedicated to Poet Federico Degetau of Ponce (1862-1914). He used to come to this spot often, inspiring much of his now famous writings. I can see why. A true Patriot of PR He served in the US Congress from 1900-1904 as the first Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico.

About the Piedra Degetau Park

The current observation tower was erected in 1996. It is maintained by the Department of Public Works and by the Authority of Highways and Transportation. The grounds feature several covered picnic areas and a very nice restroom facility. There is a large concessions area with patio and of course, the large wooden observation deck. All of it is well manicured with lush vegetation everywhere.

Flowering Ginger with Sprouts Hanging from Tips, Mirador Piedra Degetau Near Aibonito, Puerto Rico Did I mention it was free?

This lookout park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9AM to 6PM. I got there early to avoid the crowds. Sundays are particularly crowded. You can reserve a picnic table in advance. This is important if you are planning a family event.

After the Park – Heading Home

On the way down, We stopped at a roadside vendor selling ‘Pinchos’ who had the good sense to set up next to a local bar. Pinchos are BBQ chicken or pork on a bamboo skewer and sell for $1.50 to $2 bucks each. These were chicken at $2, but bigger than the ones I’ve had for $1.50. We had a choice of salsas: regular, picante (spicy) or ajo (garlic) and it came with a slice of garlic bread too. I got a a cold Medalla Light beer ($1.25) from next door and it really hit the spot. You’ll see Pincho and Bacalaito stands all over PR. The local version of fast food.

A Local Pincho Stand Next to A Bar Along the Highway in Puerto Rico

I’ve never seen a ‘Health Department Certificate’ posted by a vendor, so ‘buyer beware’. I’ve eaten at many of them.. I like ’em. If the locals are lined up outside, its pretty safe to assume its OK.

Note: i have learned that these roadside food vendors are indeed regulated, licensed, taxpaying businesses, despite the casual appearances.

I shot a ‘From the Road’ HD video from Coamo to the Observatory and the ‘Aibonito Speedway’ video back down to Coamo.