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An Escape to Rio Grande, Puerto Rico By Doris Irizarry An escape to a Caribbean Island a flight away would be ideal. My bags were packed to enjoy a few days at Westin Rio Mar Beach in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico located northeast of the island. With many friends and family located throughout the island, I decided I wanted some time alone. Have easy access to the beach, pool, and away from the hustle and bustle of the town. Taxis, private cars, buses wait at the airport to transport visitors to their destination. I immediately spotted my well-groomed and well-dressed chauffer whom held a welcome sign including my name and destination. Gazing out the car window, the greenery was breath taking. The mountain views and houses located on top of the mountains were astonishing. Ricky Martin billboards greeting visitors and its locals with a smile. On Highway 3 to Rio Grande, Belz Factory Outlet Mall is under construction in Canóvanas. The typical fast food American franchises are all around. Strips of kiosks – open-air restaurants – with aromas of typical island food. The Roberto Clemente Stadium is being built in honor of the Puerto Rican baseball player Roberto Clemente. The welcome to Ocean Villas was quite impressive. The entrance is a top of a hill with a beautiful scenic view of the 58 one-, two-, three- bedroom luxury villas on the 500-acre Westin Rio Mar Beach and sister to Westin Rio Mar Resort – lodging for the Miss Universe candidates, shops for your shopping pleasures, casino, entertainment. I arrived during Three Kings celebration; therefore, I was able to enjoy ‘las parrandas’ in the lobby. Two eighteen hole golf courses for the golf lovers. To the right the mountains and the Caribbean National Forest, El Yunque are visible. Tropical flowers and trees adorned the pathway to the Ocean Villas. I was greeted with a refreshing mango juice. The spacious and elegant villa made me feel right at home. Terra cotta floor tiles, crown moldings and casually elegant furnishings filled the interiors of my villa. The fully equipped kitchen remained untouched. Actually the microwave was only used. The heavenly bed (made with tall people in mind) was heavenly to put my mind and body to rest. I relaxed in comfort on the ocean front balcony awaiting the sunrise and or sunset as I listened to the pounding of the waves and the singing of the coquíes - Puerto Rico’s one-inch singing tree frog. Ocean Villa bedroom I had a choice of twelve restaurants and lounges to satisfy my hunger. The delectables ranged from classical northern specialties, sushi and Asian favorites, seafood and steaks, southwestern cuisine, buffets… The desserts were out of this world. Since my taste buds are very Puertoricanized, I preferred my well-seasoned traditional Puerto Rican food. I was fond to Sandy’s Sea Food Restaurant & Steak House in Luquillo’s Plaza and the Antojitos Puertorriqueños (Puerto Rican Cravings) located at the corner of Westin Rio Mar Blvd and Highway 3. Flaming coffee demo My last stroll through the villas I encountered a ripened coconut. All the coconuts were still green. Great to drink the coconut water with rum added to it. This drink isn’t for me. The ripened coconut was hollering my name, “Doris take me home with you.” Without hesitation I took the coconut back to my villa. “How am I going to crack the coconut open?” I asked myself. To my rescue were two employees. They didn’t have a machete; therefore, they took the coconut to the restaurant’s kitchen. Within a few minutes, not only was the ripened coconut returned to me cracked open but also a green coconut filled with coconut water to drink. I poured the coconut water into an empty water bottle. As for the ripened coconut insides, I stored in a plastic bag to make rice with coconut and dried gandules (pigeon peas) once I was home. The beach lined with coconut palm trees was a few steps away. A hammock to swing in while I read a few pages of “El Regalo De Tiempo” (“The Gift Of Time”). Although I preferred the beach to the available pools, I didn’t swim too much since the water was a little cold for me but I was able to catch a few of the islands sunrays. My last day on the island I was blessed with warmer water temperatures; therefore, I took a quick swim. Before getting out of the water, I exercised my traditional three dips with my back to the ocean. As beautiful as the ocean was, I didn’t look back as to leave any bad luck behind. It’s my last hasta luego (until next time) to the sandy beach, the pondering waves, the eye-catching greenery, the joyful coquíes… My chauffeur fulfilled my last request of mango juice before departing to the airport. The drive to the airport was through the picturesque back roads to avoid the afternoon rush hour. The Atlantic Ocean was still visible with the surfing waves active, a soap opera being filmed, strips of kiosks, coconut trees, Old San Juan… I will be back Puerto Rico. Content is not to be reproduced or copied without consent of website creator. 1998 - 2007 Copyright © 2007 Con Sabor A... Designed by Con Sabor A... Services ISP