After we checked out the Graycliff Hotel property and its cigar factory/lounge, we took the short walk over to Junkanoo Beach for happy hour.

It’s a great alternative to the harbor area where the cruise ships dock: The beach is lined with small, locally-run restaurants and watering holes. Bright colors, big personalities galore – the perfect place to stick out your hand and introduce yourself to the locals.

Quiet and timid during the day, the “strip” fills up as the workday ends and the sun begins to fall and the colors in the sky change. We had a few and then walked back along the beach to the British Colonial Hilton, watching the blue beyond the clouds turn to a purple and orange.

Tomorrow: The story behind the Junkanoo Festival for which the beach is named (complete with yours truly in costume!). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since we’re talking about ziplining and Puerto Rico, here are a few photos from Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park (located in Orocovis).

I visited in February of 2011 and tried out all they had: Rappelling to the jungle floor, walking across swinging bridges, and a variety of ziplining courses.

The highlight was “The Beast”, which sent me flying like superman (body parallel to the ground) 853 feet above the earth for just under a mile (tallest and second-longest zipline in the world).

Sorry Laura - I suppose I should have told you about this a bit sooner!

Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yours truly!