Vieques
Never saw it coming.
But I just may have found the beach that could lure me away from South Padre Island.
This is more than a one-horse town -- actually, several horses walk unimpeded in the streets as well as on the beach. As do the dogs. And chickens. No one is worried about building a median down the middle of the malecon -- heck, there is no lane indicator of any sort and not enough traffic to warrant it. No worries about green spaces because anything that isn't mowed quickly becomes overgrown with the lushest of tropical vegetation. Nary a high rise in sight though I am sure they are in the comprehensive plan. Somewhere. We are here in "high season" and yet are sharing the hugely spacious, open and drop dead gorgeous Sun Bay beach with maybe 5 other people.
The town of Esperanza is utterly charming. Our 3BR/1BA rental house is located in "el barrio" but the neighbors are friendly, the bread in the local bakery to die for and I can walk to
the corner store in 2 minutes
the nearest wifi signal in 5
a friendly waterfront tavern in 7
sun bay beach in 15
A plenitude of watersports are nearby should I feel the urge. The sand works. The water is clear as can be and the exact right temperature for swimming. Palm trees on the beach provide shade if it is desired. No signs of local constabulary nor any apparent need for same. The rum is cheap and my cellphone works (but on extended service so don't call just because you can ;-) I have only been here for 3 days and already I want to chat with a real estate agent.
Maybe other Nancy is right. Maybe I just want SPI as it was 20-30 years ago. All I can tell you for sure is that the Ritz-Carlton area of San Juan is what SPI is headed for, and where I guess the majority of the "stake-holders" want for it to go. But I would never spend my vacation at that place, even if I could afford it. I am mystified by folks who happily spend $3.00 for a cup of coffee and don't object to the surcharge for the workout room a vast majority of them will never use -- who don't mind being assigned an umbrella as long as a cabana boy is on hand to bring them their over-priced cocktails.
Me, I'll take a flask of tequila and the naked beauty of Sun Bay beach over that crap any day. I guess that makes me weird, and it also indicates I probably shouldn't be sitting on CPAC.
Labels: puerto rico, vieques
posted by Lucinda at 7:44 AM
4 Comments:
just some disorganized thoughts, Sandy. You and I are part of the problem, of course. We found a place we loved and stayed (or moved) here. And many of the rest of our over-large, well-off population is coming also and of course wants the "comforts" it is used to. And the property here is still "cheap" compared to other seaside areas. So the pressure is on. If too many people hear about your new beach, the whole process starts again. Lost utopias are seductive but hard to regain. Anyway, I guess we have the situation here and all we can do is try to control it as best we can. Have a great time and I hope you come back really refreshed.
Great blog story ... but Sandy I am utterly shocked when you dissed us "cabana boys." :)
For years and year we slaved for minimum wages to keep our wives, girlfriends, and visitors happy by the beach! If Mama needs some Merlot and bon-bons, who do you think races off the the store, and comes back with a winning lottery ticket and a nice floral arrangement too?
You simply must be talking about those "for hire" cahana boys, those fake losers with cheap bling and no soul. *laughs*
Canana Sammie
A Ritz Carlton on SPI - HA! Never happen.
We can't even attract a Starbucks, and they are on every corner.
Reminds me when Urk said to Grok thousands of years ago, "Man you should really see the caves on the other side of the mountain". The beat goes on and on. Humans go figure.
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