Our Weekend: Snorkeling and Ruins

On Saturday we went snorkelling with a tour guide at Tres Palmas Marine Reserve (Steps Beach) in Rincon.  We had been there before, but wanted to try going with a guide to ensure we were seeing the best places in this area.

The steps of Steps Beach 

We snorkeled for about two hours.  During this time we saw lots of marine life.  A pufferfish, a few rock fish,  many different varieties of fish, and a sea urchin.  Our guide picked up the sea urchin, and we took turns putting it on our hands and feeling it suction to our hands!  You could turn your hands upside down, and the sea urchin would stick to them.

School of fish

We also saw a lot of elkhorn and fan coral on our exploration.

Elkhorn coral

Fan coral

Snorkeling tip: Even if you're going in the morning- wear sunscreen, and make sure to put it on the areas of your body that are closest to the surface.  Lesson learned!

For lunch, we stopped at Jack's Shack.  This place is the #2 rated restaurant in Rincon, and all their ingredients are organic.  It has a great location and view!  We enjoyed the fish tacos we had.

After lunch, we spent some time walking around Rincon.  We went into a few local shops, and purchased some items.  One of the items even says Bienvenidos, so our Spanish skills are increasing! :)  We also went to a bakery and found cupcakes with BUTTERCREAM frosting.  This is a big deal- no one uses buttercream here, and KC loves it.  

Pistachio and vanilla cupcakes 

On the drive home, we drove past a car show.  It reminded Jake of the time he spent at car shows with his dad.  Although, most of those were probably a little bigger.

Sunday was cloudy and overcast, so we visited the Aguadilla Ruins or the Ponderosa Lighthouse Ruins (depending on who you're talking to).  You drive through a golf course to get here, and then continue driving down a little road to this spot.  There are also two beaches nearby, and the view was awesome!

On the way into our building, we saw this snail on the pavement.  Not something you see in Minnesota!

Sunday night ended with a thunderstorm!  We haven't had many of those in Puerto Rico, so we sat on the patio and grilled,  and watched the storm roll in.