The Scurvy Dog's Puerto Rican Blog

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 for your misdeeds. [Read more…] about Talk Like A Pirate Day, Revisited- ARRG!

Remains of Central Roig Sugar Mill in Yabucoa

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. US minimum wages being what they were.

So that means the sugar or molasses used to make Puerto Rican rum comes from sources outside PR. All of it.

That’s something you will not hear when you take Bacardi’s guided tour.

The Roig plant got its start in 1927 when Antonio Roig bought out the La Rosario Hacienda jointly owned by the Central Mercedita sugar mill and the firm of Gómez, Méndez y Cia. Central Roig operated until 1998 when the Puerto Rico Sugar Corp. assumed ownership. We know how that ended. [Read more…] about Remains of Central Roig Sugar Mill in Yabucoa

Scenic 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 to before 1898.

The faster Hwy 53 is not finished in this area so Hwy 901 is what links the east coast with the south coast. Road construction on the Maunabo side takes you through a new tunnel that dumps out onto Hwy 901. Reminds me of the so-called ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ they wanted to build outside of Juneau, Alaska. I know it will eventually hook-up with Hwy 53 near Yabucoa, but it still looks kind of funny. [Read more…] about Scenic Hwy 3, Punta Tuna Lighthouse & Beaches

Yabucoa, Puerto Rico- The City of Sugar

I got lucky with the weather- Last Thursday, Friday and early Saturday were great (before Hurricane Irene). By late on Saturday, the sea was beginning to churn as squall after squall rolled by. All things considered, we had very good weather for this trip.

Irene dumped a bunch of rain and wind topped out at 30 MPH out where we live. Nothing like those that got hammered along the US Eastern Seaboard. Our power cut-out no less than 9+ times over 3 days. Trying to get a Post done was an exercise in frustration.

Please note, I have broken this into 3 separate posts as I have way too many photos just for one. Our friend Tony graciously allowed us to crash at his place above Yabucoa so we did not have to make the mad-dash home each night. [Read more…] about Yabucoa, Puerto Rico- The City of Sugar

La Parguera, a Little Jewel on the SW Coast

As mentioned in my last post, we made a quick dash through La Parguera while checking out the area around Guánica. La Parguera is most famous for its bioluminescent bays, followed by its seafood. Our plans precluded sticking around until after sunset so we gathered contact info for later.

You can reach La Parguera from Lajas via Hwy 116, then take Hwy 304 on into town. Hwy 324 would take you from La Parguera to Guánica which is how we got there.

La Parguera is actually a sector of Lajas and falls within it’s jurisdiction (Fixed/thanx Sdog). It even has its own police station and Post Office. The bay is part of the La Parguera Nature Reserve established in 1979.

We were there on a Saturday afternoon and it was pretty busy. It is as popular with the locals and San Juan as it is with tourists.

In some respects, it kind of reminded me of Lahaina on Maui, minus the upscale art galleries and boutique shops.

From a Google Maps satellite view, you can see how built-up La Parguera has become. The main road through town (Hwy 304) takes you down past the waterfront. On the bay side, there is a small Plaza with a formal public arcade/promenade next to it. From the arcade there is access to several shuttle boat and tour services. [Read more…] about La Parguera, a Little Jewel on the SW Coast