Today we hopped in our rental car and headed Northwest to El Yunque National Forest. There is only one tropical rainforest in the USA National Forest System and this is it. We started at El Portal Visitors Center and watched a video about the Forest. Then we drove to Coca Falls, an 85 ft. waterfall right off the road.
Next point was to Yokahu Observation Tower. It is named after a God of the Taino Indians. You are at 1575 feet once you climb the 69 feet to the top. What views of the NE side of the Island!
Our last stop here was the Big Tree Trail that leads you to La Mina Falls. On the way we could feel the humidity soaking into our skin and we could hear the two-tone chirping of the Coqui tree frogs that, when full grown, are the size of a quarter. Once at the Falls, they were a bit disappointing after such an intense hike to them (about 45 minutes each way). So many people were there swimming that there was no place to rest. Still a beautiful sight to see.
Next stop, Old San Juan. Traffic getting here was horrendous. We made it into town about an hour before the San Felipe Del Morro Castle closed which was why we went in the first place. Once you find parking you walk along the edge of a park to the entrance. It was a holiday so the entrance fee was waived…yippee!
Columbus discovered Puerto Rico in 1493 on his 2nd voyage. In 1539 the Spanish castle construction began. It was one of 3 fortifications built to fortify the deep harbor from attack as this was one of the first harbors the trade winds would direct a sailing ship to when crossing the Atlantic from Europe or Africa. Spain was intent on keeping their level of World Power during these 300 years. The Castle took 250 years to complete…over 10 generations. It is MASSIVE! Note the shell still in the wall in the photo.
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