La Isla Encantada Puerto Rico!

Momma and Me

Puerto Rico, will always hold a special place in my heart. My mom grew up there/went to college there and found my dad there, and my nani and papi lived there. Plus it is a tropical paradise with overgrown lizards and breathtaking views.
The last trip I took to PR was with friends I had made in Europe the Summer before with EF College Break. We all clicked so fast and I really met the greatest, most random group of people. We are all from Pennsylvania to Texas to Florida etc.
Four of our Europe amigos are actually from Puerto Rico. We were able to hang out on their turf, I had been to PR before but never quite like this. We found that one of our friends, Jessie, was actually quite talented and was in an improv group in Old San Juan. Her show was hilarious, really fantastic, earlier we were told to write something on a sheet of paper because it might be picked to be a "topic", I wrote midgets and it was used! It was on the floor laughing funny. The whole production was in Spanish but the actors were so good, if you couldn't speak the language you understood the nuances.

My friends Juan, Jesus, Jessie and Mari took us on a grand adventure to one of the most breathtaking and surreal views I have ever seen, that will forever be imprinted into my memory as an exciting adventure and that was to "la ventana" (the window) cave. We drove about an hour out from old San Juan, passing thousands of Puerto Rico's beautiful flowers, their "flamoboyans", getting to a seemingly random gas station parking lot. Most of us are in flip flops and we begin a steep hike up a nearby hill. It then begins to pour. Through the laughing and almost tripping for fifteen minutes, while also seeing an old abandoned truck on the side of this mountain, we stumble upon a gapping hole in the earth, some people came out with flashlights in hand. We did not have any :). It is a good twenty feet down maneuvering yourself around rocks to get to the bottom to walk, then it was complete and utter darkness, as in that horror film the descent. It was such a creepy exhilarating feeling! We listened for the bats that were on top of us and tried not to step into their dung. After trying to find our way we see the light and it was breathtaking:

La Ventana Cave!

My mom was already going to PR with my little bro, so I stayed with them at the Caribe Hilton in Old San Juan. It is in a great location, private beach, beautiful views and a very nice compound. It was my favorite resort for PR until I saw El Conquistador by the El Yunque Rainforest, which had such a hidden opulence.


I digress but this year we went back and stayed at El Conquistador (will post later), amazing is an understatement!

no big deal, just a beautiful peacock walking around!

An old fort adjacent to the Caribe Hilton ( I went in there once, quite intrepid of me ;)

The Group looking out, we were so HIGH up, at least 200 feet, no sudden movements lol

the BEST Mofongo ever. ever.

Jessie and her improv group. So talented!

Me inside of el morro, my dress matched the paint :)

My bro, me and my lovely mommy and axelle and scott. We went out for Mother's day :) It was a great night!

Senor Frogs, of course :) Me, Angie and Alana

My Brother climbed a half fallen tree in El Yunque

Me and my mommy by an El Yunque waterfall, should have jumped in!

One of my most treasured times during this trip besides La Ventana with my friends was going Bioluminescent kayaking at night. It was pure magic and if you can do it you have to do it. My momma who can't swim did it, I was so proud of her :) It's not scary because you are in a large group with competent guides. You kayak through a long canopy of trees that almost cocoon the way but you have the moonlight and the backs of the other kayaks with lights to see where you're going. Jake and I hit the sides of the waterways a million times and kayaked in circles for a good while before we can get our rhythm down, it was hysterical. I was laughing so hard with a little frustration that he and I just could not kayak or get it together lol but when we did it was golden. After about 30 minutes of making your way through the canopy in divine warm water you see a large opening and before you know it you're smack dab in the middle of a wide bay. You wait for a little bit and then they tell you if you swish the water around you'll see the agitated organisms in the water light up. It was amazing. Everyone was splashing and having the best time. It was nighttime but the water was bright blue, you have to experience it! I wish I had a waterproof camera...-next time!

I <3 PR

MUST DOs:
Go Horseback riding eh.(though I find it absolutely horrifying YET I am always forced by my family to do so)
El Yunque (explore, jump in, have a blast)
El Morro
Explore Old San Juan (so colorful and Vibrant!!)
Eat a Mofongo (que delicioso) so delish!
Go to Utuado to the 'La Ventana' Cave/ cueva
Check out Latin Roots (Old San Juan) for some divine daiquiris and coladas and Salsa Lessons!
Bioluminescent Kayaking Fajardo, Puerto Rico (Incredible a MUST MUST do!!!) you'll feel like you're in Avatar because the water turns bright blue when agitated!

Checkin' it in the Czech Republic! Praha- Prague!

PRAHA

Leaving Germany was so sad because Munich had been spectacular. I was starting to feel like a local since our hotel (hotel Maria) was smack dab in the hustle and bustle (truly German) part of town.

Some Krons, you'd think I was rich! but sadly this is the equivalent of about $20 lol but you get around nicely with this.

Me at one of the many Gothic style Cathedrals

The sadness faded away when we realized the fairytale-esque town we were going to be staying in. Now, I can only speak for Prague because that's where we stayed but it was beauuuutiful and also a lot darker than the other cities-literally. It was significantly more cloudy and most of the buildings were very haunting in old town Praha. 

Alana and I about to see a movie in Prague (we saw Angels and  Demons-complete with subtitles lol that we didn't need)

on the Bridge, touching the golden dog will make your wish come true or bring good luck, one of those! (Alana Bevan photo)

The city is fairly large and can be sort of maze-y. Alana and I had the best gnocchi EVER better than in Italy then leaving the restaurant we got lost, i mean LOST. Separated from our group, no knowledge of Czech or the name of our hotel, no phone-nothing. After about 2 hours of walking late at night in and out of streets/dark alleys/and a mcdonald's (to seek help/refuge)/getting into a fight lol we hailed down a random cab and we happened to have the hotel card in our pocket (but we couldn't read it) and handed it to the driver. The tab ended up being around $20 but it was worth it! We made it back safely. 

Charles Bridge Prague

We visited the Daliborka Museum/ Prague Castle (old torture location for prisoners) there we found a curious surprise: 

Vin Diesel?! You decide. (Alana Bevan photo)

The next night after exploring the heart of Prague, the astrological clock, walking the bridge, going into even more cathedrals (not helping my chandelier obsession!) we went out, and BIG. :) After taking the subway to another part of the city we arrived at the coolest club ever complete with cheap beer lol called 

>Karlovy Lazne night club, a FIVE story club with a different theme on each floor. We all had an amazzzzing time!

The Disco Floor!!!

Starbucks, we will always find you! located in the main square, by the Astrological Clock :) (Alana Bevan  photo)

A beautiful Glimpse of the city, you have to remind yourself you're in the 21st century! (Alana Bevan Photo)

Givin' some Czech attitude (Alana Bevan photo)

Praha at night <3

A couple holding hands on the Bridge :)

MUST Dos:


>Karlovy Lazne

Astrological Clock

Prague Castle

Try their Gnocchi

Get lost for a bit

Horse and Carriage ride through the city

See a movie (they'll have English subtitles lol)

Send a postcard

Walk the Charles Bridge

there's alot to do....!

ENJOY!

France..Oui Oui! Wee Wee! parteuno :)

OH hey Eiffel Tower!!

we were beyond giddy!!

Reunion under le Eiffel Tower, how cinematic;) <3 amazing day

We have  a secret..Paris we love you!

amazing aerial view only to be seen atop le eiffel tower :) 

If he jumped it would've had a parachute of his jacket!

Yes, it was THAT windy!

The sun was glistening, the water, everything- it was perffffection!!

Conquering Paris!

Jose and Kaylyn :)

Bffls

Some of the group!!

Couldn't believe I was in the Eiffel Tower :) Taking it all in <3

Seine River Cruise :)!!

Under the bridge, the algae water marks are just a reminder to how historic Paris is

The Famed Versailles!!! One of my dreams coming true!!

Alana in the beautiful Hall of Mirrors

My turn :) I was in heaven I ADORE chandelliers :)

The romantic gardens. That day they were actually filming something there. They had actors dressed in Victorian appearing costumes. It was neat.

LOVED the checkered black and white tile. Such an amazzzzing experience. Alana and I almost missed the tour bus to go to Versailles. We somehow managed without knowing any French, waking up late and figuring our way out on their subway system! It was meant to be :)

Mark in awe of the beautiful structure glowing at night :)

Alana and I :)

At night they light up the tower for a bit. It's almost like a light show, with bursts of flashing light. So perfect!

Notre Dame, Quasi moto are you home?

Steve trying to figure out where to go next

I'm in Louvreeeee ;)

Mommy and me about to get our museum on!

Yup we saw her!

Breathtaking art from the floor to the ceiling.

Paris, France- said to be one of the most romantic & magical places on Earth! And I'd have to agree :). The first thing we did was go right to the Eiffel Tower. I didn't bring a phone so I borrowed my friend Adam's to call my mom and see where she was in France (she was there with a friend) and it turns out she was at the Eiffel Tower! It was such a special moment. We ran to each other literally under the Eiffel Tower. It was magic and I had missed her so much because I had been abroad for almost a month at this point, the longest away from her! And to meet up at such a famous landmark it was almost too much!
After our awesome cold windy Eiffel Tower trip we took a Seine river cruise but NOT before trying a deliciously divine nutella crepe (very Parisian) from a crepe stand on the river. Oh my gosh. Best chocolately taste. ever!! Everyone was quite satisfied and nice and full before our river ride:)

I have to say Paris has fascinated me really since I was in high school and learning about the "romantic" "passionate" French anti-monarchic Revolution. And of course you can't learn about that without learning about the magical Versailles King Louis the XVI 16th and Marie Antoinette's residence. I had heard about the famed hall of mirrors and gardens but to see something that you have wanted to see for a while in person was a wonderful experience. Besides those hallmark places of Versailles, Versailles as a whole was so over the top (although it has nothing on Russia's palaces!).
My mom and I went to the Louvre together that was amazinnnggg!! We saw the Mona Lisa (quite small in person btw!) Venus de Milo, Hammurabi's code!! So many iconic figures that have surpassed generations. ahh to go back. I loove museums and so does my momma (where I get my love for learning from). It was a magical day. I'll post more info and pics for Paris part duex..like I how I found my mom in Paris the next day sans French Lang knowledge and a phone :)..

MUST DOs:

-Versailles

-Notre Dame

-Sacred Heart

-Eiffel Tower (at night :)

-Champs elysees

-The Louvre

-Eat a Nutella Crepe

-Have French fries (hehe)

-Buy a beret (i wear mine when I paint for inspiration)

-Go to a cafe and people watch for a night (my mom and I and her friend had the best night doing just that)

-Take a Seine River cruise

-In Nice France. Hang in the square and go to the beach and beware the jellies but enjoy the life!! Definitely more laid back than Paris.