Our trip to Rincon ended, and we headed back to the apartment. As we lay our heads to sleep, we were sure to set an alarm. We needed to be up early in clothes that could get wet in order to catch a shuttle to our Rocaliza adventure. This half day excursion was our Christmas Gift from Nanny and Papa John Swaney. There are many adventure trips here on Puerto Rico, and Nanny did her research. She found us a half day trip that took children as young as 9. This piece of information, led me to falsely believe, and comfort the kids with the notion that this was an easy little adventure for tourists. Not at all.
Picked up in a large passenger van with two other groups of tourists, a 45 minute drive takes you into the Carite Rain Forest in Caguas. The tour guides are lively, funny, patriotic gents eager to scare you with stories of snakes falling from trees and aggressive river swimming (all for show), and delight you with stories of the beauty of their home country.
We arrive and you are geared up with a harness and helmet, and told that everything you bring needs to be in a dry bag or leave it in the van. The hike is intense in the most awesome way. Mostly vertical, you are climbing UP, yes I said "UP" waterfalls. Guides in the front and the back manage the ropes system as the hike takes you through the river. It was no joke. People fell. And when I say people, I mean all of us. We have the bruises and the sore legs and ankles to show for it. But none of us would have ever turned back. It was so cool. The guides are helping you along through hand holds and footholds that you cannot see under the rushing water. Every time you scale another waterfall you ascend onto another photo worthy plateau.
It was really cool for Jon and I to demand such strength, flexibility, and agility from our somewhat aging bodies. But what I enjoyed most was watching the kids. They were by far the youngest of the group, and by far the most capable. I watched grown adults shake as they pulled themselves up the ropes, and my kids climb like monkeys, fearlessly (well, somewhat fearlessly) up these treacherous rocks.
The hike ends with a triple dose of awesomeness. 1 - you hike into the largest waterfall with a gorgeous, drinkable!! fresh water pool. 2 - you get down the mountain via three sets of zip lines. 3 - at the end of your journey, you have a home cooked meal of chicken, rice and beans, empenadas, and flan. And you can exercise your option to purchase sangria and coquito. Which we did.
From Puerto Rico - tourist or not - you're climbing!
About the photos - only after starting this blog, did I realize that pics must be landscape to upload. Having been taking plenty of landscape photos for future blogs. Thank for your patience!
These are links from the tour company and an independent review.
Rocaliza Adventure Tours
Puerto Rico Day Trips
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