December 4...On our way to Ponce this morning for a break from the mundane tasks.
Ponce is the former capital and steeped in history. It is pronounced ponsay and named after Juan Ponce de Leon who we learned about in elementary school history classes. I believe he also discovered the fountain of youth.
A drive along the coast on hy 3 past our hotel, Lucia, and stopped at a vista of the Caribbean Sea. This is where our AT&T rep, Xavier, told us we must definitely go. Unfortunately a bit rainy but isn't that what the rainforest is all about?
Arrived at Ponce, huge lettering spelling out the town name entering the region across the highway, and of course a lunch stop at kiosk 22 by the boardwalk across from the marina. Best shrimp dinner I have had and unfortunately Peter's order was incorrect, and he had to wait for his grouper, but when it arrived......yum. And, he got a free Medalla as well and we saw a shipment of plantain being brought in.
Continued north on hy 12 to the main part of town. Difficult finding anything but finally parked. Ended up at the main square, Plaza de Las Delicias where the tourist info is located. Wanted to tour with the red trolley but the guide told us it was in for repair and when he asked this morning, of course it was today, apparently the mayor said no go, no money to fix it. We walked around a bit, the main street is a pedestrian walkway with mainly dollar type stores. According to the tour information fellow, all stores have moved out to the mall.
We did find LaPorta theatre and the History Museum of Ponce. Everything was in Spanish except for a sheet of paper that told us what was in each room. We could figure that out for ourselves!
The town really could be a nice place but some restoration would have to be done but with the economy here, I guess that is tough! There is a huge new art gallery which I would have liked to have seen but we had no time as we wanted to be back to Palmas before dark.
Drove back to our home digs along what we thought would be a quicker trip but ended up perhaps taking longer. We drove through a panoramic mountainous trail disguised as a highway. Were able to see the lit Christmas decorations on passing through the gate. Arrived back just in time for cocktails!
A drive along the coast on hy 3 past our hotel, Lucia, and stopped at a vista of the Caribbean Sea. This is where our AT&T rep, Xavier, told us we must definitely go. Unfortunately a bit rainy but isn't that what the rainforest is all about?
Arrived at Ponce, huge lettering spelling out the town name entering the region across the highway, and of course a lunch stop at kiosk 22 by the boardwalk across from the marina. Best shrimp dinner I have had and unfortunately Peter's order was incorrect, and he had to wait for his grouper, but when it arrived......yum. And, he got a free Medalla as well and we saw a shipment of plantain being brought in.
Continued north on hy 12 to the main part of town. Difficult finding anything but finally parked. Ended up at the main square, Plaza de Las Delicias where the tourist info is located. Wanted to tour with the red trolley but the guide told us it was in for repair and when he asked this morning, of course it was today, apparently the mayor said no go, no money to fix it. We walked around a bit, the main street is a pedestrian walkway with mainly dollar type stores. According to the tour information fellow, all stores have moved out to the mall.
We did find LaPorta theatre and the History Museum of Ponce. Everything was in Spanish except for a sheet of paper that told us what was in each room. We could figure that out for ourselves!
The town really could be a nice place but some restoration would have to be done but with the economy here, I guess that is tough! There is a huge new art gallery which I would have liked to have seen but we had no time as we wanted to be back to Palmas before dark.
Drove back to our home digs along what we thought would be a quicker trip but ended up perhaps taking longer. We drove through a panoramic mountainous trail disguised as a highway. Were able to see the lit Christmas decorations on passing through the gate. Arrived back just in time for cocktails!
arriving in Ponce
Ponce anchorage and Yacht Club
Ponce boardwalk
