20th Anniversary of the Fort-Museum in Vieques

The Clean Up

Still no water or power in Esperanza, Pilon, Puerto Real, but Isabel and the barrios around town have both.  Transportation system is running, not on any normal schedule, but at least there are boats and planes.  For food and cold beer you have to go to the Mar Azul, Richard, Conuco and Coconuts.  El Encanto, Mambo's and the Green Store have beer and food for now.  Ice is at a premium, as the ice plant was unable to operate.  Rumor is that Jorge is getting that back on line.  Esperanza restaurants are in a holding pattern waiting for electricity. 

The sound of chainsaws and generators is all you hear on the south side of the island.  Huge piles of brush and downed tree limbs are everywhere waiting for the municipality to get to them with backhoes and big trucks.  The electric company people are working very hard to get the lines up.  We all appreciate their hard work. 

All in all it could have been much worse. 

JC

Janie forwarded these images for me to add from Esperanza. jts

Irene is Gone But Not Forgotten

The island weathered Tropical Storm Irene pretty well, except we are fairly certain she was a hurricane when she hit.  The most damage was done to vegetation.  Large mango trees snapped, palm trees came down.  This has left us without power and water.  There is no estimate as to when the lines will be cleared, restrung and power restored.  Since our services come from Puerto Rico, what happens to that island directly affects us. 

 

The only way on or off the island at the moment is by private plane.  A few people have gone that route.  Most restaurants are closed due to the lack of power and water.  There are no boats coming in at present.  Fortuanately Pablo at the Green Store had a huge Medalla delivery last Friday.  All kidding aside, we are very fortunate that Irene did not do far more damage. 

 

We are getting the backlash from her now.  The skies are dark and there are a few rain showers headed.  This is good so we can fill up trash cans and buckets. 

 

I will update as I can.  Cell service is still spotty, so the computer only works on the front porch. 

 

JC

 

 

The latest on the Cleanup of former Navy Lands

You can find the latest info,
In English here:
www.enchanted-isle.com/vieques/pdf/Aug2011_flyer_final_ENG.pdf
In Spanish here:
www.enchanted-isle.com/vieques/pdf/Aug2011_flyer_final_SPA.pdf

See you on the beach!

jim

Batten Down the Hatches

It looks as though what is known as Invest 97 will become something more in the next day or so.  Currently it is headed straight for us. Whether or not we will get any storm force winds is yet to be determined, but in any case we will be getting wet.

 

You have probably already heard about the shark incident in Bioluminescent Bay the other night.  A person received a shark bite while at the bay.  After speaking with a few of the fisherman, they believe it was a young shark and that it did not attack, but rather was either startled or looking for food.  There are many theories, but they all agree that if it was an aggressive act, the injuries would have been infinitely worse.  The last update was that the victim had surgery to repair torn muscles in the leg. 

 

An interesting issue has arisen from this incident.  Apparently, swimming is not allowed in the Bio-Bay.  This is not peculiar to Vieques, but is an environmental law that has not been enforced here.  I have not been able speak with anyone from DNRA to confirm or deny the rumor.  We will see what happens in the future.

 

More Later.

 

JC

Beading Bikini & Jeep Boutique

A Richly Diverse Treasure Chest of Unique, Handmade Fashion & Funky Tribal Jewelry by Local Artisan, Jennifer Dehner, featuring Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings & Rings of Sea Glass, Feathers, Artisan Glass, Carved Bone, Stone, Seed, Nut & more!  Visit
http://www.beadingbikini.com  or The Jeep Boutique(Nov-April) parked outside of El Quenepo Restaurant.

Coconuts Restaurant signs New Lease

For some time now, there has been speculation as to whether John and Dorothy, owners of Coconuts Restaurant, would re-up their lease.  It is now official and we will still have Coconuts!!!!  As I mentioned earlier, Alex of Aguacate has stepped into the kitchen, along with Beverly of Orquideas.  After the fall break, Coconuts will reopen with Beverly offering her lunch fare. 

 

Wish I had a camera yesterday on the Malecon.  There has been extensive work done this summer to repair the sidewalk, railing and lighting.  Part of that renovation required the street to be closed between Trade Winds and Lazy Jack's.  In true Vieques style, the detour signs pointed directly into the ocean.  Good Laugh. 

 

You may have read about a bomb being found off Blue Beach.  It is true that some ordnance was found.  It is not true that a billion lives were endangered.  The island just off Blue was found to have some munitions on it some time ago.  There are signs everywhere in both Spanish and English warning people of this.  If you were diving near an area used for military training,  it would seem to me to be prudent not touch something that looks suspicious.  The prudent person would determine the approximate location of the item and call the authorities to alert them. 

 

Taste of the Islands is at the W August 19-21, with the main event on Saturday the 20th.   Several chefs from around the Caribbean and some local restaurants will be showing their very best stuff.  This is a tasting affair with the proceeds benefiting the Reach for Success program.  Reach for Success provides incentives and scholarships for Vieques youths planning on furthering their education post-secondary.  It is a great program and this benefit is truly fun one.  Go to the W Hotels site for information spending the weekend with them.  Tickets for the event will be available at the door, or in advance at the Funky Beehive.  Stop in get your tickets and grab a great outfit or set of fabulous wine glasses from Kara. 

 

More Later.

 

JC

 

Cheap Fares on Cape Air for 3 days

Puerto Rico is On Sale!
Purchase dates: August 9, 10 or 11, 2011

Travel dates: valid for travel August 15 - 31, 2011

• Fly between San Juan and Vieques
  $60* one-way
• Fly between San Juan and Mayaguez
  $49* one-way

Emily is Past

Tropical Storm Emily left only a little rain and lots of clouds, thankfully.  She is stalled just south of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  The trailing bands are still giving us cloudy skies, but I did see the sun earlier.  Transportation to and from the island is getting back to normal (that's another word rarely used in the same sentence as Vieques) and there should be no shortages of anything.  Actually yesterday there was gas and no lines at both stations. 

 

If you are in the market for any home furnishings, check out NU2U, the second hand store in Isabel.  Patti has gotten in some good quality items.  This is always the place to to stop for glassware, dinnerware, tablecloths, etc. 

 

If you are traveling to Hartford, CT or Boston on American Airlines, let the Humane Society know.  They are looking to move out several animals and need transporters.  787-741-0209.

 

JC

Emily

The center of Tropical Storm Emily has passed by us well to the south. Her current position is 16.2N and 68.1W.   We are getting just a little wind and some rain.  Looking at the satellite images and radar, we will be getting wet for most of the day.  Fortunately, it looks as though that is all that will happen to us. 

 

Getting here today might be a bit of an issue.  According to a recent email from Karen, Cape Air is flying, VAL is not at the moment, but maybe later and it is anybody's guess on the boat.  South side seas were choppy yesterday, but no significant surf. 

 

A good internet source is stormCARIB.com. There is a tool that tells you how close the center of the storm will get to either an island or a coordinate.  There are reports from the various islands in the Caribbean.  Kate from El Quenepo posts on this site.

 

More later.

 

JC

Emily

It's a girl!!!  Emily has just been named and is moving on a current heading that will skip by us to the south.  We will get some rain and some gusts, but so far, we are looking good.  Will keep you posted.

 

JC

Invest 91 or Emily?

Well, thus far, the tropical wave that is moving toward us has not escalated into a depression, a tropical storm or a hurricane.  The longer she holds off getting a name, the better for us.  The current track is west north-west at a healthy 15 to 20 mph.  If she stays racing along, we will get wet, but not beat up.  Most of the neighbors have yet to board up, and there are still a few boats in the Esperanza harbor. 

 

I got the info wrong about Coconuts. (go figure)  Alex of Aguacate Catering is handling head chef duties, with Beverly as sous-chef.  When they reopen in October, Beverly will be bringing her skills to the lunch and take out table.  That will be very exciting. 

 

Duffy's is hosting Kiwi Kim every Sunday afternoon around 4pm.  Kim has a great voice and a great repertoire of classic songs.  We all breath a sigh of relief when his name is called at Karaoke on Saturday's at the Mar Azul.

 

Cargo boats are still in a bit of a tangle.  This may continue for the next week or so given the tropical wave that is not yet Emily moving past.  There will undoubtedly be some upset seas for a bit.  I will keep you posted.

 

JC