What Nature Intended

Flying in to Vieques

I am only hoping that I can write about such a tranquil island as Vieques in a way that you can only imagine the experience I had just a month ago on this tiny, still much unknown island.
Situated 25 minutes (by twin prop) off of the East Coast of Puerto Rico lives a tiny island called Vieques. What I had learned prior to visiting was only a taste of what my husband & I would discover on a destination I will not soon forget.
(please refer to my previous Blog to review a bit of history of the island)

Upon arriving to San Juan Airport and boarding our twin prop plane; I was already feeling the excitement of what was just beyond the stretch of beach and lush mountain tops we would bypass on the mainland of Puerto Rico. As we flew beyond the mountains I looked outside of the plane to see what lied ahead...Vieques. Glowing with green and blues, trees and sand, it was a remarkable sight to land on this unknown place.

Driving in our rental Jeep, we immediately knew that the creatures, the horses and the natives ruled. We stopped for horses as you would stop for deer, allowing them to quietly glide along their way to their respective homes. Most have owners, but are allowed to roam free during the day. They feed on the land and roam as nature intended. They are healthy and beautiful and also serve as a much needed mode of transportaion on an island where walking is most dangerous. We saw for ourselves a native woman colapse from the sweltering heat and immediately called for help. The people are kind and good. Laid back, but not stupid. They know how to survive with nature. A place where lobster and fish are plentiful. Where fish feed on red root trees in the mangroves that provide birds a home and so on....
This takes me to the Bioluminescent Bay. Only 12 exist in the world and we attended the brightest of them all. A place where National Geographic even had a hard time photographing. As the BioBay, is intended to be a memory, a feeling. Something I can only try and explain in words. As we ventured out on our electric pontoon boat, the driver amused us by stomping on the floor. As we looked over the side we could see the fish scurry in the dark waters, glowing bright as the stars above. It was night and the sky was the most beautiful I may ever see. Every constellation was viewable and the entire Milky Way could be seen. With a dark sky and still waters ahead, we anchored and dove in. There we all were, swimming, glowing in the dark. Like little kids, we swam in the water while these amazing little "fireflies" lit us up each time we moved. As our bodies left the water and climbed aboard, our skin lit up as though liquid diamonds streamed down our legs.

During the day we would drive all over the island. In the evening we would dine in the trees. There was a new beach each day to explore. Not one ever inhabiting another human. The waters were crystal clear and stayed shallow as far as the eye could see. The fish would kiss your feet as you walked in sand as smooth as baby powder.

The Inn on the Blue Horizon. A hidden gem, with only the rooftops showing through the trees. As you walk further on through the winding pathways, past the mystical buildings you see as far as you can see. The Inn, situated on a bluff is an unforgettable place that you can only dream about. The rooftop views, the endless pool and the amazing cuisine is only the beginning. Paul, Mayra, Yolanda and the many others are there for you night and day. They are not only dedicated to what they do, they love what they do. This is their home and they are happy to share it with you. They are not your waitstaff, they are your friends. It is a first name basis at the Inn on the Blue. You are part of their family during your stay. The nature surrounding the cottages and guest houses takes your breath away. As I stared out from the infinity pool, one day, overlooking the bluff. Just beyond my shoulder, a wild horse came running from the brush out toward the ocean. There was no sound, but the trot of his hoofs. It was simply the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. That is until...

Our flight home. Looking down upon Vieques, there was a rainbow. Below the plane, we flew over the rainbow. Unlike Dorothy though, I felt there was a new place I would like to call home.