my random ramblingsan infrequent (and these days, mostly Mira related…) blog

up very early to pack. grabbed our last breakfast in the resort, but too rushed to get an omelette. settled our bill then drove back to San Juan to return the rental car. shuttle to the airport, checked in and fixed our seats so that we were all together. strange configuration of the seats in business class, but lots of room. long delay in Atlanta, finally got back to Chicago after 11 pm and not back home until after midnight. good trip.

breakfast as usual then drove into Fajardo for some shopping and souvenirs. back to the Conquistador for Mira’s nap then did another stroll around the resort to snap some last pictures. Natasha met us in the lobby and we headed back to the room. left Mira with Natasha, then stopped down at the marina for a quick bite before walking to the Los Croabas harbor for our kayak tour of the bioluminescent lagoon. very long prep and instructions before getting underway, but eventually headed out through the channel to the lagoon. Лена’s first time kayaking and we were sharing a tandem. fun tour, unfortunately the moon was rather full so didn’t get the complete effect, but very cool nonetheless. back to the room after 11 and quickly to bed as tomorrow is our departure day.

breakfast, then a trip out of the resort to do some more endless shopping, but was stymied as all of the local stores were closed for the holiday. late lunch at a nearby seafood spot, then back to the room for a refreshing nap. did some more reading and finished my book. skipped dinner but grabbed milkshakes late, stopping by the arcade and lounge with Лена before eventually going to bed. Mira is noticeably speaking a lot more the last couple of days.

breakfast, then did a little shopping around the resort. afternoon boat ride to the resort’s private island for a pleasant swim in the sea with Mira. took the last boat back and spent the rest of the day reading in the room. Mira and Лена went for dinner while i napped. out briefly before midnight to catch the fireworks.

up very early, met up with the babysitter, and grabbed a quick breakfast and coffee from Starbucks on the way out. drove out to the area south of El Yunque to meet up with our canyoneering excursion group, and waited… eventually hooked up with the guides and followed them to their house that we were to use as the trail head for our hike down to the rivers. the 3 guides took our small group down through the trees to the first river – countryside was as beautiful and wild as any i’ve ever seen. day spent repelling, jumping off cliffs and boulders, and surfing down the river – great fun. drove back to the resort and said our goodbyes to the babysitter. dinner at a local restaurant nearby, which was ok but very slow.

breakfast before driving out to Luquillo to do a little shopping out at the kiosks. back to the resort then later walked down to the Los Croabas harbor area that we see from our balcony. late lunch / early dinner – my first lobster of the trip. stopped at the playground on the way back and the resort Starbucks for dessert prior to bed. in bed early tonight.

breakfast then a little shopping in the Conquistador stores. took Mira down to the marina area to play in the grass by the water and shoot some pictures, watching the island shuttles come and go. back to the room before Лена headed to the spa for some birthday treatments. stayed in the room and watched some football. headed back down to the marina with the girls to sit in the grass by the water and share a bottle of champagne in celebration. dinner at Chops in the resort.

breakfast as always before our babysitter came by to meet Mira. 4 of us hung out for a while, walking around the resort and enjoying Mira’s favorite activity of endlessly walking up and down stairs… Лена and i left for some errands and shopping, then back for a late lunch / early dinner at the cafe overlooking the main pool. after Mira went to bed, went out late with Лена for a nitecap and a milkshake before some sleep.

same old breakfast before driving out to El Yunque National Forest. parked at the trail head and started the hike down to La Mina Falls. took a while between the others on the trail and my need to carry Mira, but was worth it in the end as the falls were pretty and it was refreshing to swim in the pool at the bottom. stopped at the visitor center as we drove out to pick up some gifts. detoured into Luquillo during the drive back and grabbed some food at Boardriders while watching the waves crash on the beach. back to the hotel to eat then took a late stroll around the entire resort, snapping lots of pictures.

Christmas day – gave Mira a present to unwrap before making our way to breakfast. ventured down to the marina and walked over to the Coqui Water Park during the afternoon. nice pools, 3 slides and a lazy river. took Mira and Лена on the lazy river before spending some time in the pools with Mira. multiple trips down the slides, even managed to get Лена to join in on the fun. back to the room for Mira’s nap, then picked up a quick pizza to snack on in the room, but a far cry from Chicago quality pizza. dinner at the Asian restaurant – mediocre, but fancy, so met our base requirements for Christmas dinner.