Day 2 - Rain Forest

What a glorious day! We traveled to El Yunque, Puerto Rico's national rain forest (it is a finalist for one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and is a US National Forest). The name literally means the "Anvil" because the mountains are flat at the top. It was absolutely magnificent! To get to the spot where we were able to hike through the forest, we traveled up the mountain along a very windy road that appears to be only big enough for one car, let alone two in opposite directions. Thankfully, I was able to avoid being extremely car-sick, but those roads were enough to make any one's stomach turn (those from or who have been to Potter County, think of Wycoff Run doubled in sharp curves and length).

On our way up the mountain, we stopped at Cascada la Coca (Coca Falls), a beautiful waterfall in the middle of the mountainside.

Once we made it up the mountain, our trek through the rain forest began - it was breathtaking! There are no mammals in El Yunque, but there are birds, lizards, the coqui (Puerto Rican tree frog), and tree snails. However, you are not able to see any of these creatures, besides the snail, as they are hidden well within the safe confines of the forest.

The rain forest is a testament to God's handiwork as the Master Creator! It was amazing to see a different and unique ecosystem, and the beauty of God's creation.

On our way back down the mountain, we stopped at Yokahu Tower (Observation Point at 1,575ft) for a different perspective.

Once we reached the bottom, we traveled to a nearby beach. Directly off the highway was a strip of "restaurants" of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. The food is non-spicy, always accompanied by rice, and almost all of it is fried. To be honest, it is not at all what I was expecting, but I am enjoying the rice! A traditional Puerto Rican food is the plantain(comparable to a banana) that is served in many ways and comes with most every meal. One thing I did notice is that fruit and vegetables are not served here in Puerto Rico, so we have been lacking in some nutrients this week. :) After lunch of chicken wrapped in a fried tortilla and white rice, we changed into our bathing suits and headed to the beach. The water was a beautiful blue, warm, and calm. There were no waves like I am used to, but it was pleasant to relax in the warm water. One thing we did learn is that Puerto Rico has been experiencing sharks for the first time this summer due to the rise in sea level from the climate change (a.k.a global warming). Thankfully, we did not spot any fins! The weather in Puerto Rico is warm and humid. Brief showers are very common on a daily basis. They last for about 5-10 minutes until the clouds pass and then it is over. However, we are in hurricane season, so the sky has been overcast every day, but that has been a blessing because the sun/heat has not been as intense during our outings. While we were at the beach, there was a dark cloud looming over us and when it began to pour, we all grabbed our stuff and ran for cover. Well, if we didn't look like tourists before, this certainly did! We were the only ones to get up because everyone else knew the shower would pass and just waited it out. Now we know!

What a fantastic and majestic day we had here in Puerto Rico!