Beach hunting

The free tourist map of Vieques is a cartoon drawing pointing out lots of public or hidden beaches. So, with our new wheels and map in hand we decided to go beach hunting. First, we started by the public beach Sun Bay – the one we never got to on foot.

It It is the most turquoise water we have seen so far – and of course the wild horses adds a certain exotic touch!

Then we decided to drive until the road ends, on the eastern end of the island. Here is a picture showing the contradiction we find in Vieques, here is a really strong US (hippie)expat presence with American restaurants, art galleries and yoga studios frequented by the surf boys and Puerto Rican families, all that mixed with the nature reserves, mangrove forests and wild horses everywhere you look.

Eventually the road ended and we drove on “roads” like these

And, all of a sudden we found this hidden pearl with the whitest sand we have ever witnessed.

A self portrait is of course essential

And then, we drove until the road ended on the western part of the island – and found this:

Then, it was time for the north shore beaches. But beach hunting makes you hungry, so we decided to have some picnic true Puerto Rican style with the cooler filled with lunch (probably slightly less fried contents than the usual PR cooler) I think you have to look long and hard to find more perfect picnic surroundings. We felt like we were in fantasyland surrounded by a fine beach, a picturesque old abandoned church and wild horses just 5 meters from us. We got to see two different packs of horses meet and watch the stallions fight over the territory, leading to one of the packs being chased away. Completely amazing.

Tonight we are just sitting on the sofa with stupid smiles on our faces (slightly more tanned than yesterday…) – what an extraordinary place we have found. Of course we also hear the wild horses passing on the street just outside. Klippeti klap, klippeti klap. I’ll have to pinch my arm.