Esperanza (southern Vieques) Musings

They NEED a coffeespot in Esperanza! 

 

Can you say business opportunity???  The few restaurants on the Malecon which offer breakfast don't start serving until 9AM.  That doesn't help those of us who are early risers and have no access to a coffeepot or kitchen!  The only place we found to get coffee, early, is the panaderia.  It is open 7A-11A....but is closed Sundays & Mondays.  (Our first full day was a Sunday!!)  The panaderia also sells pastries, the only we could find in that part of Vieques, too (they serve breakfasts and sub sandwiches and seem to be a spot for the locals, always a good sign!). 

 

Some of us also like a place to relax, unwind, get caffeinated throughout the day. 

 

Some of us don't want to hit Happy Hour every evening just to have a place to enjoy the outdoors, the ambiance that is the boardwalk of Esperanza.

 

Animals Everywhere!

 

One of the coolest things about Vieques, besides all of the pristine beaches, of course, is the presence of wild horses.  They will be strolling down any street, grazing in the grassy areas (or picking thru garbage bins when there hasn't been enough rain to keep the grasses lush), sipping water from tiny pools amid the shade of trees.  They are so beautiful and I don't think it is something I would ever get used to or take for granted, if I live there.

 

On the flipside are the homeless dogs.  They all seem so friendly and I wish I could give them food, shelter and love...but that is impossible when on vacation.  It is funny, however, to see them trying to figure out if they can compete with a horse for a mango lying on the ground!!

 

Roosters!!  And hens & chicks.  But the roosters, as is their nature, are the noisiest little things around!  I think they crow (is that the right word??) just to hear themselves!  A conversation of one!  If you are unlucky enough to be staying near a home with a rooster, I hope you are lucky enough to have an air conditioner for your room to help you sleep at nite.  But they make noise night AND day! 

 

Bring more cash than you think you need!

 

Our original travel plans included rental cars, which we would have paid for with a credit card.  We changed to taxis, which were cash (just under $200).  We decided to rent a scooter for the day, $55, and their credit card "machine" was down.  More of our cash stash we had to, unexpectedly, use.  Many of the businesses, like excursions, will charge you $5 (each) for using your credit card over paying with cash.  While $5 or $10 won't break the bank, I really don't like to waste my money on service charges (especially when they are being passed on by the merchant, for whom this is a cost of doing business).  We used our credit card for all meals and were watching our cash closely by mid-week. 

 

Miscellany

 

Yes, you can drink the water (on the main island, Puerto Rico, and the smaller islands, Vieques and Culebra)!!!  So bring those refillable water bottles and stay hydrated!

 

Use sunscreen.  At least SPF 55.  Apply it liberally.  Reapply it often!  Avoid sunburns, which might ruin or, at least, hamper your trip.  While also warding off the peeling that will follow once you return from the island and are loving your golden glow (which is making all of your friends and coworkers so green with envy!!)!

 

Have an idea of what you would like to see and do while on the island.  Time can easily slip away while you are walking the Malecon, dipping your feet in the azure waters of the sandy beaches and sleeping your nights away under the dark sky lit only with the stars (there are no streetlights).  There are so many beaches to see (and you, like us, might not get to every single one), historical spots to visit (former US Navy pier, old pineapple factory, former sugar mill, site where a 2000-year old skeleton was unearthed), excursions to take (scooters, catamarans, scuba, stand-up paddle boarding) and ways to just wile away the hours (this one is up to your own imagination!).  Mix it up and do a little bit of each every day, if you can.  Or....if what you really want is to lounge on the beach and laze in some calm waters, then get thee to the beach early with plenty of provisions (most of the beaches do not have food/drink facilities, or bathrooms).

 

There is no "wrong" way to enjoy Vieques.  Chatting with locals and other tourists, like yourself, could lead to an opportunity!  Mama Nature might not give you the weather most preferable for all of the outdoor activities.  Craft a visit around your needs & wants ... but also remain flexible.  You may not see and do everything on your list, but that just means you enjoyed some relaxing down-time ~~ and, really, isn't that what vacations are meant to be??!!