Travel Puerto Rico like a local: horseback riding on the beach

We’re riding horses on a Puerto Rican paradise beach. It’s a trail inside the Palmas del Mar resort where we spent part of our honeymoon 12 years ago. And it was “almost” romantic.

It must have been a romantic comedy or novel that my 13 year old self saw or read back in the ’90s that put in my head the notion that horseback riding on the beach is romantic.

I don’t remember Julia Roberts & Richard Gere riding horses on the beach in Pretty Woman, so if you can think of a book or movie with such a scene, please post a comment & help jog my memory!

I found myself today on a feisty horse named Tyson, riding on rolling hills, past a golf course and finally … to the beach.

Tyson was living up to his boxing-champion-inspired name. He was kicking the other horses on our tour and defying my orders (when he wanted to keep going, it didn’t matter how hard I pulled back to stop him. Tyson wasn’t losing that fight.)

My husband was there (my romantic dream is still alive!) But so were our two kids, the in-laws, and a nice couple from Illinois. And of course, some nice, local bilingual tour guides.

There we were (all of us), inside the tropical paradise that is the Palmas del Mar resort, mounting our Paso Fino horses at Rancho Buena Vista.

The surroundings were potentially romantic, the dream of galloping side by side with my hubby on the beach was still a possibility, and off we went.

The scenery couldn’t have been more perfect: blue skies, riding under thick green tree canopies and miles of beach, ready to be explored.

I have to admit, it was fun (really fun, even for a city-slicker like me!) The tour guides & Paso Fino horses do this for a living, so they make the ride easy and smooth. And watching my kids enjoy such a great adventure was worth the price alone.

Our in-laws, who live on the island, were the ones who suggested that we do this. Great travel tip from the locals! We could hardly wait, as we planned our vacation, to get the kids on the horses & hopefully share a romantic moment at some point.

The only thing is, unless you were to book a private tour for “just the two of you,” I wouldn’t call a guided group tour romantic. That for me would require privacy and seclusion of some sort.

Instead of romantic, I ended up with a super fun, laughter-filled, scenic, horseback riding adventure which I’m pretty sure our family will treasure as a favorite memory from our days in Puerto Rico. It was definitely worth it.

Passing Traditions on to the kids: Three Kings’ Day in Puerto Rico

Christmas never ends in Puerto Rico. Or so it seems, when it’s January 5th, and the anticipation is building for yet another highlight of the most wonderful time of the year: Three Kings’ Day!

Much like Christmas Day, Three Kings’ Day is an official holiday in Puerto Rico. On January 5th, like on December 24th, instead of leaving milk & cookies for Santa Claus (which we also do in Puerto Rico), kids leave shoeboxes filled with grass. Before you think “huh?!,” it’s for the Three Kings’ camels, as they travel to bring gold, myrrh and frankincense to baby Jesus. Along their journey, they stop to bring gifts to the little boys and girls who believe (and leave grass-filled shoeboxes.)

I loved this tradition as a little Latina girl, growing up in Puerto Rico. One special place I visited with my parents, sister and brother was “La Lomita de Los Vientos” (the little hill of the winds). It felt surreal to stand on that same lomita, but this time, I’m the parent bringing my kids. Crazy!

Across from the San Juan city Capitol building (which looked beautiful and Christmasy),

you might find a long line with people of all ages, and lots of families with kids, waiting to go in to La Lomita.

This photo opp near the entrance says “Let’s celebrate our traditions at the little hill of the winds.” That’s exactly what we were doing! Tradition!! (For some reason, I heard that in my mind in the style of Fiddler on the Roof! Ha!)

Seriously, I was giddy like a little kid, almost skipping up the lomita, Periscoping everything, while my husband reminded me that I should be enjoying the experience, not just “live broadcasting” it on Periscope for no one. I reminded him that I had over 100 viewers, but he had a point.

As we neared the first stop on the lomita, my daughter exclaimed, “Mom! His head is MOVING!” She was referring to the Angel Gabriel right in front of us. It turned out that they had living Manger scenes, and special moments from the story of Jesus’ birth, recreated by actors as you climbed up the hill.

By the time we got to see the living Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus (and the Three Kings, of course), I looked up and saw the Capitol right across from la lomita. That’s when I got a little teary-eyed.

In a time when there is so much manger and Christmas symbolism removal from government buildings, it was refreshing and inspiring to see freedom of religion ringing loud and clear in the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. My island. What a blessing.

It definitely felt like a blessing to be able to pass on my favorite and most meaningful traditions and beliefs to my kids in such a wonderful way.

We landed in Puerto Rico! But what’s wrong with my cellphone?

I have a quick tip for U.S. travelers, just in case you find yourself on a flight to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

  

The island is a commonwealth of the United States. You don’t need a passport or currency exchange, and your cellphone carrier should extend coverage to PR, no problem.

With that in mind, when you land in San Juan, don’t do what I did and freak out if your cell phone doesn’t work and wants to empty your wallet with international roaming charges. 

I didn’t know that many major carriers, including Verizon, cover “roaming” in Puerto Rico under their plans. 

Of course, just to be safe, we called Verizon to confirm and were reassured that we could turn on “roaming” and not incur additional charges.

The Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan even had a helpful banner that I saw near the luggage carousel, with a link to a website that has  the cell phone info that I share here, plus a few more helpful tips, including:

-step by step instructions to turn on roaming on your iPhone

-phone numbers for the major carriers (to confirm that your plan covers roaming)

-and a menu to help you find the best beaches, restaurants and more. 

Here’s the link:

http://goplacespr.com/network-carrier.html

You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy Puerto Rico, stress-free! 

Puerto Rico Dreaming: “Three Perfect Days” are a thing

On the airplane, ready to land back on the island where I grew up, but still a few hours away, I grabbed the airline magazine, United’s “Hemispheres,” and looked for their snack menu. My kids were getting hungry.

I hadn’t yet found the overpriced Pringles when the headline “Three Perfect Days in San Juan” hooked me in like a carrucho fish (they make great “empanadilla” pastry snack fillers on the island.)

It was a dare that I accepted: did the magazine nail it, or could I come up with three even more perfect days?

I’ll never know until I try. Here’s my short list.

Day 1: Start in Old San Juan.

Whether you get there at day or night, Cobblestone streets & artisan shops, cafés with local pastries (one Mallorca, please), lots of beautiful old trees and photo opps, you can’t go wrong. Especially if you visit in early January. You’ll enjoy sparkling Christmas trees and decorations through Epiphany, or Three King’s Day on January 6th. Kids love this –they get gifts from the Three Kings or wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus, similar to how Santa Claus brings gifts on December 25th.

Day 2: Hit the beach.

If you want to join the regular beach-goer crowd, you’ll have fun at any Isla Verde or Condado beach. If you want more of a surfer’s paradise away from the metro area and more island-insider, head to Rincón.

Day 3: Your choice-Rainforest or Radiotelescope

That’s a tough choice. They’re both amazing stops on the island. It comes down to what you are passionate about. If a lush jungle setting will inspire you and recharge your batteries, then ask for directions to El Yunque. But if you have a cool, nerdy side that marvels at the Universe and would geek out with space discoveries (is anyone else out there?), then head to one of the world’s largest Radiotelescopes in Arecibo, PR.

If you want more inspiration and ideas for your dream trip (or next trip) to Puerto Rico, check out the Three Perfect Days San Juan article from United Airline’s “Hemisphere” magazine online:

http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/2015/12/01/three-perfect-days-san-juan/

I’d love to know what you think. Please leave a comment below.

Travel goodies!

It caught my eye like an oasis in a germy desert. Did I just hit the health jackpot at the airport? 

  

I’m a mom of two, ages 9 & 6, trying to maneuver the three of us and our luggage through Bush airport in Houston, Texas. We are on our way to a little vacation to see the grandparents in Puerto Rico, when all of a sudden, I saw it!

I had heard and read a lot about The Honest Company, but had never been this impressed. They went through a lot of trouble to meet this reluctant mom where I was vulnerable–walking through a germy airport, trying to keep my kids healthy and away from getting coughed on by sick travelers.

I say I was reluctant, because when I buy products for my family, organic isn’t King. Convenience and “the best possible choice within the budget” reign.

But how cool that The Honest Company showed up with the coolest, most friendly-looking vending machine I have ever seen, almost as if to say, ” I know you’ve thought of trying our products, so we wanted to make it easier for you.”

I just wanted to say, thanks! 

#UnprocessingMe Days 13-20 Healthy Bingo Week!

I think my favorite part of this week was this: my son’s healthy bingo! 

 
The fourth grade class at Deerwood Elementary sent home a healthy bingo Game board. Kids can fill it out by doing healthy things like eating blue, green or orange fruits & veggies, playing different sports, etc. 

What I love about this is how it challenged our family to look for opportunities so that we could mark off as many bingo squares as we could. It’s been fun! 

After we finish this one, I think I might print more of these bingo squares! It’s so much better to see healthy eating & exercise as a fun game (not a chore.)

This game (and a little push from Mom) got my kids to eat grilled over their preferred “crunchy chicken” at Chick fil A. 

That alone was an #Unprocessing success! 

Here’s to more #Unprocessed fun! 

~Coppelia

#UnprocessingMe Day 12: Ice Cream before Boot Camp

Who eats ice cream before working out? 

Me. 

Technically, it was a couple of hours before Boot Camp. It was an after school treat with the kids. But ice cream? 

If it had been a Nutri Bullet frozen treat with frozen fruit & milk, maybe that would’ve made more sense. But I am writing about my #UnprocessingMe journey, and sometimes, I have to admit, my choices aren’t the best.

I think writing & living these choices will help, in the long run, as I see them written down…and notice how crazy I am to “wish” I could lose weight without doing what it takes.

So, even on days when I make those crazy choices, I will do my best to keep tracking my progress. And tracking points on my Weight Watchers app.

As long as I don’t give up and keep trying, I will get there … With God’s help! 

~Coppelia

#UnprocessingMe Day 11: Getting back on track!

Woohoo! I made some good choices today! 

Even though yesterday was kind of a train-wreck (not-the-best food choices, discouraging comments about my appearance & just a general desire to just give up and live a life sustained by pizza slices), somehow today I managed to get up on the right side of the bed!

The first good choice was ordering a healthier breakfast than what I normally get at Starbucks: an unsweetened latte with a turkey bacon sandwich. 

For both lunch and dinner, we ended up getting Mexican food. I skipped the tortilla and opted for a burrito bowl. And later enjoyed a chicken broth with white meat & avocado slices. 

It would’ve been awesome to tell you I skipped the soda and dessert, but I didn’t.

Still, I kept the serving sizes to small/mini, which I normally do. 

Next on the list: continue celebrating the great choices, work on eliminating those sodas, and opt for healthier treats.

Trucking on,

Coppelia

#UnprocessingMe Day 10: I wanna throw in the towel & eat a Chocolate Croissant

Since I want to be honest on this blog (and in my life), I admit it. I threw in the towel and ate the chocolate croissant.

Even though this month, I signed and joined the free #Unprocessed October challenge, designed to help people eat clean, unprocessed healthy food, I’ve been half-hearted about my efforts. 

I’ve been content about small attempts at healthy eating, no matter how small.

What I’m learning (or re-learning), is that swapping one Coke for water, while eating a bunch of crap the rest of the day doesn’t do much.

My weight has stayed the same. 

And even though I saw a good blood pressure reading, it hasn’t been consistently lower. 😦

That was me, pouting.

I think (pardon my quick psychoanalysis), that subconsciously, I want my health to improve by the power of positive thinking.

I also want it to happen overnight. Dang it. That’s not working.

So, I ate the chocolate croissant and thought about what I’m doing and what I want.

If anything, I might finish this #Unprocessed October challenge with more knowledge about what it will take to see results.

But did you read that? I did say I would finish it. I’m not giving up!

I think it will kick in at some point and the lifestyle change will happen.

I’ll be watching & waiting. I know with God’s help, we’ll get there.

#UnprocessingMe Days 8 & 9: Can I just call this an “Early Weekend?”

These past two days, Thursday & Friday, have been a hectic blur of busy-ness. I have to admit, I have not made the best choices when it comes to food.

But the rest of the week was awesome! So there’s that.

And today was the first time in a while that my bp was lower! Aaahhh!!!! That’s my goal!!!!

I think the big takeaway for the first week of my #Unprocessed October is that even little changes & minor tweaks can make a difference.

Every time my hubby and I do this, a concerted effort to eat a little healthier, we always say we should “eat like this all the time.”

And just because I slip back into bad habits doesn’t mean I have to throw in the towel.

Maybe this time it will finally stick.