Culebra Favorites

Frequent bursts of rain

by chodearm

Walking towards the ferry for our departure, 5 am, a white van chugs along side us to a need-new-brakes screech.The fella driving offers a ride to the dock which we willfully accept with many thank yous. He tells of one of the big hurricanes (I think it was Hugo) ripping through and leaving the aftermath of the Atomic Bomb as he put it. Nothing was left standing. Before the storm Culebra suffered dry, arrid, desert like conditions. Rain would fall maybe once a week, but post-big f'n hurricane, the weather patterns shifted and now Culebra see's a cloud or two open once or twice a day.

Military and Culebra

by chodearm

Like Vieques there was the constant protests of the 90's against the military's presence and bombing practices, in the two Spanish Virgin Islands. To see the physical evidence of the abuse the USA Military put on paradise go to Flamenco beach and walk away from the hordes of sun worshippers. There are two tanks blown-up in a far state of decay. The ocean's salt is eating away a past this slice of heaven can do without. I can't imagine dropping shells (the ones filled with explosives) into this waters doing a number on the reef, which today is federally protected.

Walking to the hotel

by chodearm

I had a gargantuante load on my back. We trekked it to the hotel, bout a half hour later the hotel was in sight. If we listened to the advice of the tourist office we would have been waiting at least an hour for the Publico (bus/van looking thingy). They first go straight to Flamenco Beach and then later drop off the other destinations. The tourist office obviously want you to sink your hard earned greenbacks into all the island has to offer so they will dissuade from walking. I'm glad we are stubborn and set out, really was able to get a feel of local life, sweating by house after house. If your hotel is anywhere around Dewey, just walk, it won't be nearly as far as you think.

Getting underwater

by chodearm