Ponce, Guanica, Gilligan’s Island
Today was supposed to be a day trip to Canon San Cristobal. However, we missed out on Gilligan’s Island on day two, so we decide to skip the trek in favour of the famous island, just off the coast from Guanica. It’s a great decision as it’s by far the most spectacular part of the trip so far. Mary Lee, a US pensioner who escaped Cuba in the 60s, lends us a two-man kayak, and we paddle across the crystal blue waters towards the island. It’s only one kilometre away, yet hardly anyone is doing the same. We find a deserted part of the island and it’s truly beautiful. The contrasts of colour, the strange vegetation which appears to grow upside down and the large variety of fish is everything I imagined the Caribbean to be.
Back on the mainland, we’re pulling the kayak back onto shore when we get the fright of our lives: Two enormous iguanas shuffle past us, so I grab my camera and chase them down the path as the dozens of crabs disappear behind the rocks. Suddenly, a rat darts across the path and Susanne sees a huge snake slither under the decking looking for its lunch!
We have our own lunch at a restaurant overlooking the sea, before driving east along the coast towards Coamo, where some natural thermal springs await. Just as I think I can’t be more relaxed, I step into the scorching water with the cool air blowing against my face… aaahhh! It’s a perfect way to unwind after the best day on the trip so far.
