Every Monday is "SABOR CRIOLLO" at Coconuts!

Pernil, Churrasco, Bacalaitos, Pastelillos... all of the local favorites!
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
787.741.9325
Think: Sushi Pizza!

Great Way to Get to Vieques

Seabourne Airlines just announced two new programs that make getting to us even easier.  First, for the month of May, they are offering a walk up price of $60 one way to or from San Juan International.  This is walk up only and is restricted to Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  This will work perfectly if you one of those travelers that loves to wing it.  You can check for space when you land in San Juan.  If the flights are full, you still can hop a cab and make the run to the ferry.  The second special is a great one for frequent fliers.  Seabourne is offering a book of six one way tickets for $450.  This works out to be $75 for a trip to/from San Juan or St. Croix.  These are regular tickets that can be used for advance reservations, no blackout dates and are transferable to family and friends. 

If you have been following the weather, you will know that the R word happened and happened a lot over the past week.  In fact, we had flash flood warnings for two days.  It is now beautiful again.  The hillsides are green and the grass is growing.  This is great for the horses on Sun Bay.  It is not so great for those of us that spend hours mowing and weeding.  It is not so great for those of us with open jeeps either.  It is a pretty comical seeing so many people behind the wheel wearing full rainsuits and knee high rubber boots.  

The R word (I will not say it or write it for at least a week) also has fueled the growth of mangoes.   Over the next few weeks you will see mango everything, from chutneys to salsas to ice cream.  A mango is kind of an odd fruit.  They have a center pit that is sometimes almost as big as the mango.  To eat it, slice as close to the pit as you can.  You will know if you are close to the pit when your knife stops.  I have seen a machete that can open a coconut, get stymied by a mango pit.  Make cross hatch cuts in the flesh and pull it away from the skin.  Be careful if you decide to use your teeth to remove the flesh.  The mango is in the poison ivy, poison sumac family and can cause a contact reaction.  A friend of mine cannot get anywhere near the sap or leaves, but can eat the peeled fruit with no adverse effects.  Mangoes are also the absolute favorite horse treat.  Not one horse on this island will eat an apple, but if you are walking down the street with a mango you might be accosted.  There are over 140 types of mangoes in Vieques.  Some are nice and sweet and are just perfect for eating, others are very fibrous and are used for juices, marinades and facial masques.  (Mangoes are very high in anti-oxidants)  Do us all a favor and take a few home.  You can impress your friends by making a salsa of mango, pineapple, papaya, red onion and bell pepper.  Just dice everything fairly small, add a dash of cayenne pepper if you want and serve it over grilled anything.

And speaking of fruit, Placita Reyes, the fruit and vegetable market that magically appears every Tuesday and Wednesday, will now also be appearing on Fridays.  This is a far cry from the old days when one case of mostly rotten romaine lettuce was available once a week.  The market also features local organic produce. 

If you are going to be visiting during July 11-15 and have children between the ages of 8 and 15, the summer Mantastic program is again being offered.  This is a five day program where the kids learn all about the nature and ecology of Vieques.  They participate in snorkeling trips, hikes, kayaking and swimming led by Captain Mark Martin Bras.  The cost is $250 ($200 each for same family participants).  For more information call the VCHT 787-741-8850 or vcht@hughes.net.  This program brings together both local and visiting children and helps to fund the summer MANTA program.  Fun and worthwhile.

 JC

Mantastic Summer 2011

VCHT is offering a special one week children's program with "Mark Martin " from July 11-15.

Open to residents and visitors alike.

Call 787-741-8850 for information, pricing and signup

Publish Post

Special Promo

Seaborne Airlines is running a Special Promo for Vieques frequent travelers
to San Juan Int'l and St. Croix from and to Vieques. It consists of 6 one
way tickets or 3 roundtrips. Each one-way are priced at $75 when purchased
as a pack. Its called SMARTPAK.
50 pounds of baggage allowance per passenger, No Blackout dates, No change
or booking fees, Fully transferable to share with associates and friends.
Call: Teresa Head
Supervisor @ Seaborne Airlines / VIEQUES 787-698-3132
Email: tcolon@seaborneairlines.com

"where's the beef?"

...it's Prime Rib Saturday night at Coconuts!

COCONUTS VIEQUES
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
Prime Rib every Saturday
"Sabor Criollo" every Monday
787.741.9325

El Sombrero Viejo Reopens!!

After many weeks  El Sombrero Viejo has opened its doors once again.  Known locally as Kuhn's, the bar was a one of a kind operation in Puerto Rico.  Not only were drinks available over the counter, but you could also buy full bottles and take a browse through the wine room.  Kuhn passed away a while ago, and the business passed on to his daughter.  The transference of permits took much longer than anticipated (really? in Puerto Rico?).  Now it is business as usual.  The bar is open from about noon to about midnight seven days per week and is located around the corner from the post office.  They offer a great selection of liquor and wine to take home. 

There have been many questions about the ferry system recently.  Knock on wood, things seem to be running smoothly.  The boats are not full and subsequently are not leaving anyone behind.  The Cayo Blanco holds 575 passengers, and you can do the math based on 4 trips per day.  Weekends coming up are likely to be busier since the schools are closing and families take day and weekend trips from Puerto Rico to Vieques.  Generally, the busiest boats are the 9:30 from Fajardo and the 6:00 from Vieques.  If you traveling on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday (if it is a holiday), you might want to plan to take one of the other boats.  This makes life much less stressful.

Vieques is getting a new department store sometime in the near or not so near future.  Pitusa, which is somewhat like a Kmart is going to open a store across from the electric company.  Pitusa also operates National Lumber, which is a hardware/lumberyard business.  Rumor has it that there will be one of those as well.  We do know that the building is being overhauled and there is activity there every day.  We shall see.

A quick word on the weather.  In past columns, I have mentioned that May is the third most rainy month of the year.  Well, this year it is not so.  At least it wasn't until yesterday when I did about 1000 loads of laundry and hung it up to dry.  Seriously, this month has been quite dry and it is very noticeable when looking at the vegetation on the hillsides.  Fortunately, our water comes from the rain forest on Puerto Rico and it has been raining steadily there. (actually, based on personal experience driving through that region, I think it has been raining steadily since the dawn of time).  Here is yet another reminder not to let BBQs go unattended, no throwing cigarette butts out the car window, and no leaving glass behind that may work as an ignitor of dry grasses. 

Speaking of trash.  The municipality is taking a hard stance on anyone who throws trash anywhere except proper receptacles or the landfill.  We can all help by calling the police department at 787-741-2020 with the license number and vehicle type if you see someone flinging garbage bags into the woods.  This can be done anonymously.   

Finally, if you have the opportunity to visit in the next few weeks, do so.  Right now Vieques is like it was 18 years ago.  You can go to the beach and be the only one there.  Restaurants, activities, shopping and guesthouses are all open but there are fewer folks around.  It is a magical time here, come be part of it.  

JC

Coconuts!

There's nothing like a slice of the good life!
Available tonight at Coconuts!
Reservations: 787.741.9325

Come and Get Beachy!

Summertime means shed the layers and put on the lightest and coolest! These
items and more @ Sol Creation NOW!!!! PeAcE
~SOL CREATION
ISABEL II

After our "Spring Break"

Coconuts is OPEN this FRIDAY, May 6 at 5:00pm
Don't miss out on perfect Buffalo Wings, Onion Soup or Snapper Ceviche!...
We'll also have Rotisserie Duckling, "Corn-Nut"-crusted Mahi, our version of
a "Big Mac," and a playful presentation of Sea Bass served "with it's prey!"
COCONUTS VIEQUES
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
787.741.9325

Inn on the Blue Horizon

Mother's Day
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Three Course Dinner and Entertainment:
* Live Music by Los Intocables
* Three Seatings - 4pm, 6pm & 8pm
* Reservations Suggested
* Island Dining Attire
* (787)741-3318
* $29.00 per person

Vieques is Just About Perfect Right Now

The whirlwind of the Easter Holidays has passed and there has not been a gas line since.  And no, it is not because there is no gas.  We have plenty of everything right now.  Ferries are running and the seas are only slightly bouncy.  It has been raining (fortunately) a bit more, but has not really interfered with beach going.  The rain has all come in shower form.  If you wait five minutes, it will pass and the day gets perfect again. 

A new restaurant has opened up in Isabel Segunda.  It is called "Al Fogon" and is located in the building that used to house the restaurant Topacio.  For newcomers, it is on the way to Santa Maria.  Take the first right past the post office and head out of town.  As you start to climb the first hill, you'll see the restaurant on the left.  A fogon is a wood fired stove/grill that figures prominently in latin cooking.  Not only does it burn wood, but often times coconut husks are used.  (We have a few of those around here) The smoke gives the food a distinct rich flavor.  I have not tried Al Fogon yet, but can tell you that the lunch specials include rice and beans and are $6.95.  Well worth trying.

Both Coconuts and El Quenepo have taken a short break.  Coconuts will reopen on the 6th maintaining their Friday through Tuesday schedule.  El Quenepo will open next week and will be open five nights, Wednesday through Sunday.  Trade Winds is cutting back on the breakfast/lunch program, going to Saturdays and Sundays, but dinner will be available seven nights.  Belly Buttons is still going strong seven days, and will be offering specialty nights for the spring and summer.  One of those being Taco Thursdays with DJ Keith. 

Our laundromat has closed.  Unfortunately, that means that you might need to travel with a few more clothes than normal.  Or at least travel with items that are easily hand washed.  There is no word on a re-opening at this time. 

We have some great east to west trade winds blowing right now.   Give Kris and Barb (southside anchored) or Captain Bill (northside) a call to arrange a sail and snorkel day.  Vieques by water is a really great time.

More later,

JC