Ponce and the South

 So our first night in Ponce, we stayed at the house of a fellow seedling squad member, Alejandro. The orchids are compliments of his mother's green thumb.

Puerto Rican fighting cock, who, contrary to popular belief, crows ALL night long, not just at dawn.

African Tulip Tree

Fruit Bats!

Ceiba Tree

Ceiba blossom

 We visited Castillo Serralles, a mansion on a hill overlooking the city of Ponce. It was built by a family who made their money by exploiting people to grow cheap sugar cane, operating a mill, and producing rum. This was their summer home. Thank you Capitalism and big business for all you have given us.

The castle that rum built (on the backs of sugar cane laborers)

The view from on high, far removed from the commoners down below

Vejigante mask

We also visited a Casa de mariposas on the mansions grounds.

Me and Donny Q

Bonzai!

Ponce Plaza

More Vejigante masks for sale at the Plaza

Then we went to El Ataud in Adjuntas, an amazing place to wile away an afternoon. Clear pools of deep water flowing from water falls, a tropical backdrop, and complete the picture with some chichaitos. A great day.

 The next day we drove a little further west to Guanica and the Dry Forest.