Vieques Islannd

I had arranged with Simon, Milton and Raiza from Mayaguez to go to the Island of Vieques for the weekend, for some fun and sun. I met them in San Juan and then we drove together to Fajardo where the ferry’s leave from. As we missed the car ferry we decided to get on the next passenger ferry and instead rent a car when we got to the Island. After a few hours wait we finally got onto the ferry and we all got comfy on the top deck where we could enjoy the fresh warm air, and hopefully some views.

When we arrived in Vieques, there was no taxi’s as they were all booked, due to it being the last passenger boat of the evening. We stood outside the terminal wondering how we would get to out hostel, when man with a dog passed by. Cheeking as I am I could not resist to answer as he asked his dog if it was coming. I quickly told him I hoped he was talking to us, as we were stuck there! He told me he was talking to the dog, but that he would be happy to give us a ride if didn’t mind lying down in the back of his pick up truck. We all agreed and headed of to his car, suddenly we realised we had another man tag along as well….. He had not been able to find a ride either and had overheard me fixing one for us, so he just assumed he could come.

We all piled into the car, in front Patxi the driver, his dog, Milton and Scott the tag along! In the back was Simon, Me in the middle and Raiza on the other side, all head to toes. I still cannot understand how we all fit in the car plus our entire luggage, but some things aren’t supposed to be understood or pondered about too much. As we laid there listening to the wind, only being able to see what was above us, like the stars and the palm trees, a smile once again spread from ear to ear. I felt like a true adventurer and I remembered that things like this are why I set of on my adventure in the first place. I absorbed every moment, and felt so happy and at ease with myself and my choices in life.

On the way to the hostel Patxi also stopped a few places showing us the sights, and the good beaches. By the time we go to the hotel it was late and we were all a little tired, but all great full to have arrived safely, and grateful to Patxi for being so kind and helpful. It always warms my heart knowing how many good people live in this world. I just hope I one day can repay all the kindness I have experienced on my way.

The weekend passed too quickly enjoying the beaches by day and the local nightlife by night. Vieques is an Island that was a US military base until just a few years back. The island therefore has mainly English names, and plenty of ex pats living on it. /unfortunately there are still very many areas that tourist can not go, due to mines and bombs still being present. The roads on this island are very bad as well so it is handy to have a 4 wheel drive. We were of course going to rent a car to get around the island, but when we got there were no more rental cars available, and there was no more petrol on the island!!!! We managed to get hold of a taxi driver that drove us around, he was a great laugh, and character who let us read his love poems, and told us stories about all his women 

The island has so much to offer with its many gorgeous beaches offering white, yellow and black sand. However the greatest adventure I had on Vieques was the Bio bay. Bio bay is the name of bays that contains organisms in the water that light up when in contact with other objects. I met a guy called Dave who took us all out there in canoes in the evening, and we were a little worried that the almost full moon would ruin the experience, but nothing could ruin this! As we peddled through the water we could see it lighting up around the ores and the boats. We found a suitable place and we all jumped in. It was a surreal experience that one has to experience for onesel3f to understand. As you lift your arms out of the water you can see the luminescent water trickling down your arm. There are only 12 bays like this in the world, and unfortunately many have already been destroyed by light pollution. In Puerto Rico there are 3 bays, and the one in Vieques is known as the best one. I was so sad that this can not be captured on film, as it was truly one of the most special experiences I have had in my life so far. I left the bay that night thanking the universe for all its miracles and wonders, and mostly for letting me be a part of it.

The hostel we stayed in was just off the Malecon; Esperanza inn, a wonderful place with everything you need for a great get away to this island, where you can truly kick back and relax and watch island life at its best. The ambiance on the island is wonderful, and I think that most people fall in love with this place in one way or another. We indulged in a fish dinner in a restaurant on the Malecon called Mucho Mas, and it was cheap, super super friendly, and great tasting food.

The company I chose for the island was perfect, Simon and Milton are a bundle of laughs, and there is never a boring moment with them at all. Raiza was a little quieter, but she is a lovely girl, who likes to have fun a well. We all got on so well and needless to say with those two party animals in the apartment there was no going to bed early. We all stayed up and talked until early morning, enjoying the view from the roof terrace and listening to the roosters wake up the island.

On the boat back to Fajardo I sat outside to take some picture as we left the island, after I while I must have fallen asleep, as I woke up with my head banging against the metal railing, and the rest of the trip I listened to a ringing sound inside my head, and felt the bump on my head grown in tact with my headache hahaha

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