Monday, March 23, 2009

Horses, horses and more horses in Puerto Rico







We arrived home yesterday to a balmy 42* and windy conditions. The pilot of the plane did a wonderful job bringing us in safely with not much bouncing around. We did sway in the wind a bit but that doesn't both me, I just know I am almost home and it makes it worth it. There is just something about coming home even though we had a fabulous time in Puerto Rico.

It is a beautiful country with blue, blue ocean water, palm trees and lush foliage. It is also a country with much poverty as we witnessed while coming in on the hour long ride from the airport to the resort. Everyone has bars on their windows, that would be a good business to be in there. The small houses that we saw on this route were very modest at best withminimal unkempt yards. I'm sure there are nicer areas but this is the way we came in so this is what we saw in contrast to the beautiful resort where we stayed.


The resort was a whole different world. It sat 300 feet above the ocean and was lovely. Our room was on the third floor which was still two floors below the lobby as we were right in the side of the landscape. This is looking down from our balcony.
The first night we had a buffet with lots of local dishes to chose from. Different kinds of fish, meats, cheeses, fruits, salads etc. Of course I left my camera in the room (DUH!) and missed out on taking pictures of the dancers in their strange but colorful costumes and men on TALL stilts walking around entertaining everyone.


The next day after Hubby got out of classes at noon we had lunch and then headed off to go horseback riding in the rainforest. I was really excited about this excursion and was not one bit disappointed! Hubby had a nice little gelding that was more interested in walking then cantering but had nice smooth gaits.


They put me on a rather nondescript mare named Bebe that I argued was too small for a BMW-----Big Maine Woman but they assured me she was fine. She was a good girl and did have some nice get up and go which we put to use several times on the ride. Usually on this type of group trail ride they just walk but our guide was fun and when we told him we'd like to step it up a bit he was more then willing.




There was a lot of overgrowth as we headed into the rainforest. It covered everything in it's path even some heavy equipment.



We ran into some of the wildlife there on the island which we found very interesting as Son used to have iguanas when he was in high school here at home. This one would have considered ours a snack as he was so much bigger then anything we had ever seen!!!! The young man that was helping our guide actually caught this thing with his bare hands so that we could get some pictures!!


After our ride the horses were all taken for a good hose down. This wasn't your little garden hose, it was more like a fire truck hose and the horses seemed to really like it. I'm sure it felt good after the long ride. We did stop half way so that the horses could rest and they sent someone on a 4-wheeler with cold drinks for us. I was very pleased at how well the horses all looked. Didn't see any sores, or signs of maltreatment which pleased me to no end. All the horses were good weight, fit and had good attitudes. We've gone on these rides in other places where the horses just were so downtrodden in spirit and would just walk nose to tail the whole ride.


My next post will continue with all the fun we had and some more beautiful photos of the area plus one of Hubby with a gorgeous mermaid!!!!!!

21 comments:

Needled Mom said...

Looks like you two had a wonderful time on the ride. The resort also looks just as beautiful as I remember. Did you love the pool? Hope you got some pictures of it.

Beautiful iguana. His colors are so stunning.

Glad that you are back safe and sound. Now it's a week of "catching up" for you. Enjoy. Hugs.

Susie said...

The weather and resort look just beautiful! Glad your ride was so enjoyable.
It's always a wake up call to see the poverty in other countries when we come from the land of those who (mostly) "have it all"
Welcome back!
(how's the kitchen???)
xoxo

Mikey said...

How totally cool!! You do the greatest adventures!! I can't wait to see more of this!!

Andrea said...

OH what FUN! That looks like a blast! And girl, you crack me up, BMW!! LOL, I am so sure.......

OneCowgirl said...

Google equitours...great riding adventures all over the world....

Dawn said...

You do get to go to the most beautiful places!

I'm glad the horses were in good condition. Looks like a great place to ride -

Dawn said...

Me again - is that kudzu??

Anonymous said...

Awesome horse pictures - I bet that rainforest ride was a blast! I can't wait to see more!

Nancy said...

What a lovely trip!!! Again, you got some beautiful pics! The horses looked so clean and shiny AND healthy! I have seen so many with their ribs and hip bones showing on Animal Planet when Houston Animal Cops is featured, and a pitiful sight abd then to think that people could starve an animal like that is just totally beyond me! My cats are all so nice and fat!!

Know you had a great time but there's no place like home, is there? Bet you were gald to get back and see how your kitchen was coming along. Anxious to see pics of the progress on it, too.

Welcome back!!!

((( HUGS )))

Mrs. Mom said...

Wow! Look at that!! Nice herd of ponies there, and it really sounds terrific. My Pop in law spent some time in Puerto Rico, setting up some equipment for A9ce) T(ub) & T(oilet) a long while ago- they too mentioned the bars on widows, and how it was NOT a good idea to leave the resort area....

Glad that you both had such a great time there!!!!!

Suzy said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time and the photos are great!Glad you're back, safe and sound.

Leah Fry said...

I was in PR for 5 weeks last year. Stayed at the Wyndham Rio Mar. I intended to ride, but somehow never got round to it. I loved the country, loved the culture, the food and the people.

OneCowgirl said...

I've done the equitour rides in Southern Spain and the Monarch Butterfly ride in Mexico - both rides were outstanding. Though I only like to ride for 5 ish hours and in Spain some days we rode 6 to 7. I want to do the riding safari in Botswana....

Callie said...

Cool! Looks like a great time!

Renie Burghardt said...

Wow, beautiful scenery, riding through the rain forest, and even an iguana! He looks so neat. I'm glad the horses were well cared for, and that you had such an awesome time. I enjoyed your post, and am looking forward to more pictures. My daughter and family are there this week until Saturday. You shouldda brought some of that warm tropical weather back with you to Maine. Hope Spring makes an appearance there soon!

Huggies!

Renie

PS. I'm going on a mini-vacation Friday, and am looking forward to it. I'll be a Casino Mama for a couple of days. lol.

Nancy said...

In response to your question...how did I learn to do ceramic tile? Well, I went out and bought myself a laser level first off. Then I just measured my area and divided it up and started laying! I had done tile before when my son had a new home built back in the early 90's. I laid his foyer tile for him, subfloor and all. Anyone can do anything if they set their mind to it, and that's what I do. When you don't have a man around to do things like that, you learn to do them yourself. LOL I just bought an electric ceramic saw, with the water hookup and all, this time, as I plan to do my own bathroom after this one, and also my laundry room and kitchen! I did my foyer about a year and a half ago...it turned out quite well. I used paper to lay in the angles to make a pattern to cut the tiles from. Just have to keep those grout lines straight and keep measuring to the opposite wall so it all comes out right in the end. You could do it! I really love doing stuff like this but my back and knees don't! LOL

Working on newsletter layouts today! Have to run over and check on Buster soon as he had his second round of chemo yesterday and is confined to the bonus room all alone for 48 hours. Poor little guy! But he is doing well so far. In 3 weeks when he gets round three, he will have another ultrasound and chest x-ray to see how the cancer is responding to this new stronger chemo. Pray for the little fella, please.

Anxious to see your pics of your kitchen remodel! Aren't you excited? I am, just over this little bathroom I'm doing! LOL I already have found my wall accent pieces for my kitchen, too! Going to use black metal accent pieces against the paint color there, but not quite sure what color I am going to use yet. That will depend on what fabric I find for my window treatment and new chair cushions I plan to make. I'll be busy til Christmas! LOL

((( HUGS )))

Sharon said...

What great photos of your trip.
It looks like you had a ball.
The iguana photo was so interesting.
Glad to hear that you got back home safe.
God bless

Carole Burant said...

Welcome home dear friend:-) I so enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous pictures and hearing of your horse ride into the rainforest. That must have been so awesome!!

I've heard about how poor it is on the outside of the resorts when it comes to places like Puerto Rico. I always find it sad that those people live in such poor areas while tourists enjoy the great life at the resorts but that's the way it is. You certainly did have a gorgeous view from your balcony!!

Omigosh, that iguana is HUGE! We don't get them here, well except in pet stores I guess! lol They sure do look prehistoric don't they!

The horses look so beautiful and I'm glad they were well taken care of. I hate seeing animals mistreated in any way as I know you do too!! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip:-) Love you!!! xoxoxoxo

palmtreefanatic said...

wow! look at all those beautiful horses!
such gorgeous views, love the palm trees!!! You do have the greatest Adventures!

Margaret Cloud said...

Thank you for all those photos, looks like a beautiful place and glad you had fun on your horse ride. Will be back to hear of more fun, have a great week.

Paula & Skip said...

Stumbled over your blog and didnt want to be a wordless visitor. I really enjoy reading your posts, the iguana is simply stunning. Paula xx