More from Puerto Rico

The following day was one of the most amazing days on our trip. We started off by heading to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rain forest in the United States. Just driving into the forest gave us some incredible views. We stopped at a little food hut along the way to take in the sights.

We'd read about La Mina Falls, a very popular waterfall to visit, and decided we had to go too. It was only a short hike and we enjoyed being in the rain forest. You could hear the call of the coqui's. We never were able to see any of these little frogs but their call is very distinctive and you knew they were close.

La Mina Falls

When looking into the falls we read that people swim under the waterfall all the time. In the summer's I guess it is packed with locals. The water felt a little cold but how often do you get to swim under a waterfall?

Kevin tested the waters first and made it out alive. After watching a couple other people go under I decided to try it too.

Not only was the water cold but it was coming down really strong. It took my breath away briefly and nearly knocked out a contact but I survived. Neither of us spent too much time in the water and decided to enjoy the waterfall from the bridge instead. 

I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked because my camera (which I'd plugged in to charge the night before but the outlet wasn't working) ran out of batteries. Unfortunately I had left my other camera back at the hotel and it was a long enough drive back that we couldn't go get it. It worked out okay since our next big activity was on kayaks and at night so good pictures would have been difficult to take. 

After El Yunque we drove a little further to Fajardo to go on a kayak tour of the Bioluminescent Bay. It is impossible to describe this experience but I'll do my best. The bio-bay gets it's name from dinoflagellates, microorganisms that glow whenever they are disturbed.  We boarded our kayaks in Fajardo Bay at sunset and made our way over to Laguna Grande from there. Even though I didn't have a camera I did manage to find a couple photos online to at least give you an idea of what we did.

Through the mangrove channels to Laguna Grande

We were kayaking along and staying to the right of the channel (it was bigger than this picture shows) as instructed when the kayak behind us veered to the left and crashed into the mangrove trees. This led us into hysteric laughter when suddenly we looked down and saw the water. A glow appeared anytime something disturbed the water. Even though we knew what we were going to see...seeing it was completely different. We'd stick our hands in the water and it looked like "glow" coming our of our hands. We finally reached the lagoon where we were given more information about the luminescence and allowed to paddle around for a while. Because they are trying to preserve the bay people are no longer allowed to swim in the water but I found this picture online. 

I actually charged my camera that evening so I was ready to go for our next day of excitement. We hoped in our rental car and drove to go and check out the caves of Camuy. We had a little time to kill before the tour began so we entertained ourselves.

Outside Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy (Rio Camuy Cave Park)

The tour started with a ride down to the opening of the caves. The ride itself was absolutely gorgeous.

Ready for some caves!

This is a view of the entrance to the caves. The way the light came in was incredible and it was cool to see all the green right at the entrance before abruptly stopping just a few feet into the cave.

We were told by our taxi driver from the airport that they filmed bats leaving these caves and used that in the Batman Returns movie. I guess they also recorded the sound of the bats and used that in the movie as well.

From the entrance of the caves looking in.

The caves were formed by the third largest underground river in the world and were first discovered in 1958. While one of the largest cave systems in the world it is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. A lot of the caves still haven't been mapped and only a small part of it is open to the public. 

The caves were so massive and it was really neat to be inside of it. The only bad part of the tour was when immediately after being told to be careful (not only over and over) but in one slippery spot in particular an older lady fell. Kevin thought he heard something break and the lady said she thought she broke her ankle. We'd sat next the this lady on the ride down to the caves and she told us how this was the last day of their vacation and this is what she'd been looking forward to the most. I felt so bad for her...hopefully she is recovering nicely.

Next up was a short drive to The Arecibo Observatorio; the largest radio satellite in the world. The 1000ft main dish of the satellite was built inside the depression left by a sinkhole. 

Hanging out in the museum Kevin is playing with a toy model of the satellite. It is so massive! Golden Eye 007 and Contact were two movies that had scenes filmed here.

Not only was the the satellite really cool but there is an amazing view of the mountains.

Headed back to our hotel after this to rest up for more adventures in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico!

Knowing we would have a little time after leaving California before Kevin would need to start work we decided we wanted to take a vacation. Initially we wanted to head back to Hawai'i to check out a different island but unfortunately the plane tickets were incredibly expensive. We thought about Jamaica but finally decided on Puerto Rico. The foreign country feel without the hassle of a passport and currency exchange.

We arrived in San Juan late on our first night so we didn't really do much. Kevin was just getting over what we think was the flu and I had a terrible cold as we left Kansas City. Feeling crummy called for a very low key day. We headed out for a late breakfast to try some Mofongo at a place not too far from our hotel. Mofongo is a Puerto Rican plantain based dished often cooked with pork and in our opinion...not very good. Had to try it though. Afterwards we just walked along the beach heading back to our hotel.

Walking along Isla Verde Beach

We couldn't resist trying out the hammocks located just outside our hotel on the beach. The people we'd seen there earlier looked so comfortable. Didn't stay long...for some reason...we weren't actually that comfortable.

The view was pretty amazing though.

At this point I needed a nap (remember I said I was still not feeling 100%...I'm not that lazy). Eventually I felt like getting out of the room so we walked to this place really close to our hotel for dinner. Don Jose's was great! 

By the second day we were ready to really get out and explore Old San Juan. We rented bikes that were dropped off to us at our hotel. 

It was a little bit of a trek from our hotel to get to our destination. (Our hotel was the furthest away from Old San Juan). We couldn't ride along the beach the entire way but there were a few good spots where we could stop and take pictures.

Having me pose like different statues is one of Kevin's favorite things to have me do. I'm always slightly afraid I'm going to offend somebody but I usually get talked into it anyway.

By the time we made it to Old San Juan we were pretty hungry so we stopped at Cafe Mallorca for breakfast. The bike rental guy told us this was the oldest restaurant in Old San Juan still open. I haven't found this fun fact anywhere else yet (granted I didn't look too hard) so we'll just have to take his word for it. Kevin ordered the Mallorca (a sweet roll with egg, ham, and dusted in powdered sugar). It was delicious.

After breakfast we were ready to check out the Spanish forts. We started out at Castillo de San Cristobal and spent quite a bit of time wandering around. This is the newer of the two castles and was completed in 1783 to help protect San Juan from land based attacks.

The views from this fort were incredible. In one direction you can look and see the city of Old San Juan and from another direction you have the ocean.

Devil's Guerite

Kevin attempting to climb the wall

We took this picture from one of the sentry boxes.

Another view from Castillo de San Cristobal looking out towards Old San Juan and Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

Kevin tried picking up a canon ball but it was not that easy. Not sure how those short little Spaniards did it. (probably not politically correct to say this but I don't care)

We stopped about halfway to the second castle to check out the scenery and the old cemetery built right along the coast. 

The cemetery was incredible. It wasn't very well maintained which was a shame. Some of the tombs were smashed and destroyed. 

Next we stopped to check out Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Construction on this castle began in 1539 by King Charles V of Spain to protect Old San Juan. Crazy to think that they could have built something so massive in the 16th century.

It was definitely worth spending the day exploring. The history and beauty of it all was amazing.

Kevin on the look out.

By this point we were ready to cool off so we grabbed a late lunch at Old Harbor Brewery. 

Kevin's turn to pose

We started our bike back to Isla Verde (making one quick stop at Casa de Espana which was recommended to us by a local we met on the street...a very beautiful building). It started raining so we stopped for shelter. When we realized it wasn't going to let up we decided to just bike in the rain. Completely drenched by the time we made it back and ready to be off of the bikes. It was a mostly flat route but our seats were a little sore from being on the bikes all day on bumpy roads. A wonderful day though!

Friends and Family

Usually when we come to Kansas to visit it is a week max. Having the extra time was wonderful. It gave us a chance to catch up with friends as well as extra family time.

I met up with Heather, Lindsey, Kara and baby Abby at Barnes and Noble. We had so much fun getting to visit, catch up on our lives, and laughing together. Abby was being very cute while we were there.

It was awesome that it worked out for us to get together. With Lindsey now living in Colorado it makes it even more difficult for us all to be in the same town at the same time. We only needed Heather's daughter, Avery, there and it would have been complete.

Heather, Lindsey, Abby, me, and Kara

Playing ping pong at The Burger Stand near Washburn. I only wish this place was around when we were going to school there.

Hanging out with Scott and Joe at Bullfrog's Live.

Another highlight of this week was getting to see Pat and Michelle. We went over to their house and spent some quality time visiting. Besides our quick visit at Patti's 50th last year this was the first time in years we'd been able to spend time together.

Michelle is due with their second boy in March/April and it was great getting to see her belly. Charlie was asleep while we were there but hopefully we'll get to see him and George next time we're in town.

We finally managed to get together with Eddie and his family too. I'd never met Eddie's wife yet (Kevin had a couple times but since I missed their wedding a meeting was way overdo). It was great seeing him, Jill, and their kids.

More time with Adell was great too.

James  also celebrated his golden birthday that week. He turned 30 on the 30th! After a Kent/Watkin's get together at the house for dinner we sort of surprised James out at Bullfrog's live. A bunch of people were there and Patti had everyone in crazy hats.

The newlyweds Trevor and Carli with Joe.

Happy 30th Birthday James!

How about those awesome hats?

Patti picked out Serena and my hat...I think she picked out great ones.

Game time. We always have a blast playing guesstures at the Kent's and now that Hailie and Seth are getting older they have started to like the game too.

New Years fun!

Jessie Leiker had her annual party and since I skipped it last year I thought I should go this time. It was a fun party and we had so much. 

We had a great time in 2011 and we're excited to see the new year with all of the changes taking place. Even with the crazy last couple of months it is off to a good start and we're excited to see what the new year brings.