#Puerto Rican palm trees

[mudwerks]

(via Be the First in Your Town - Pencil Ink)

Harem Company Corozo Nut Ring comic book ad, 1950s - Genuine hand carved rings from Puerto Rican palm trees. Ten different designs to choose from. Published in Heroic Comics #47.

ALL the kids want a COROZO NUT RING

[elijones94]

🇵🇷 Every now and then on a Saturday, there’s always something new to see whenever we’re in Puerto Rico. During most of our visits, my family and I venture to the southern and western coasts of the island. Today, after listening to recommendations throughout the week at Union Church, my mom, my sister, and I found a swing at a beach after a short hike to find it. 🌴🌊

[melovibes57]

[pinkslipxox]

Hola nena 🩷

May i please request spending the holidays in PR con Miko por favor?

Hola mi corazón! Yes ofc, hope you like it ❤️🥰

——————————————————————————

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the vibrant landscape of Puerto Rico. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter and the scent of delicious food cooking in the background—an unmistakable sign that Miko’s family was celebrating the holiday spirit. You clasped your hand tightly around Miko’s, your heart swelling with affection as she expertly maneuvered through the crowd, her confidence magnetic as she greeted her family with sweet hugs and cheeky jokes.

Despite her tough exterior as the bold rapper everyone knew as Young Miko, in your presence, she transformed into the gentle soul you cherished. She had that rare ability to switch from fiercely independent to adorably soft, especially when it came to you. You watched her as she interacted with her relatives, her laughter infectious, a stark contrast to the badass persona she presented to the world.

As the afternoon slid into evening and the stars began to twinkle overhead, Miko pulled you away from the bustling crowd for a moment of privacy. She led you to a quiet corner of the garden where a beautiful Christmas tree stood, its branches adorned with bright ornaments and twinkling lights. The glow was enchanting, but it was Miko’s eyes that shone the brightest.

“Pequeña,” she murmured, her voice low and smooth, creating a warmth that enveloped you like a cozy blanket. She always had that way of making you feel special, like there was no one else in the world who mattered.

You looked up at her, the soft glow of the lights reflecting in your eyes. “What is it, Miko?” you asked, pressing your palms against the fabric of her sweater.

Miko chuckled, playful and teasing. “I have something special for you.” Without breaking eye contact, she produced a sprig of mistletoe, holding it above both your heads. You felt your heart flutter in anticipation.

“Is it wrong to want to kiss the most beautiful woman here?” she asked, mischief dancing on her lips.

There was no hesitation as you smiled, your cheeks flushing. “Not at all.”

Miko leaned in slowly, making the moment stretch like candy on Christmas morning. Her fingers brushed your cheek softly, and you instinctively leaned into her touch. And then her lips were on yours—gentle yet firm, electrifying and oh-so-precious. Time seemed to stop as you melted into her embrace, savoring the taste of the holiday and honeyed warmth between you. The world around you faded, leaving only the two of you in that moment, suspended under the mistletoe.

When she finally pulled away, her forehead rested against yours and her breath mingled with the night air that felt fresh and alive. “See? Just for you, siempre,” she whispered, her eyes softening with affection.

You couldn’t help but smile, your heart swelling further at her sweetness. “You’re so soft with me, Miko.”

Her expression changed momentarily, adopting that fierce look that intrigued you, as if daring anyone to say otherwise. “Only for my pequeña. I don’t give a fuck about anyone else.” Her protectiveness washed over you, and you felt a rush of warmth spread through your body.

As you both stood there, wrapped in the gentle glow of the Christmas lights, you realized that the beauty of this moment was more than just the holiday celebration or the stunning scenery. It was about the love you shared—the way Miko fiercely protected and adored you. You had found your home in her heart, and under the Puerto Rican sky, illuminated by stars and the glow of the lights, you knew this was just the beginning of many more holidays spent together, filled with laughter, love, and a little bit of mischief.

With Miko by your side, every moment felt like a holiday blessing, and it was just the beginning of your forever.

[lilpotatjj]

Congratulation...Captain?

Chapter 9

Palm trees, turquoise beaches and pure joie de vivre. Twice as beautiful at sunrise. When you arrive at Puerto Rico's only international airport, you both take your luggage and leave the airport's main gate together.

"oh-my-god" is the first thing that comes to mind and bursts out of you. "wow this is amazing, palm trees everywhere and the temperature is fantastic!" you say and Andy can't help but look at you happily. "ok then? where is the journey taking you? haha i mean i can't run away anymore, i'm your prisoner on the island now" you look guilty, and andy laughs.

"we're taking a rental car, first we're heading towards Fajardo. We'll explore the whole island!" Andy waves a car key provocatively and your gaze falls right behind you.

A white GTA Spano is waiting just a few meters away from the two of you. "eeehm....Andy!?"

"yes...?" Andy opens the side of the door for you. "t...that's a monster!" You look at her with wide eyes.

"don't worry, the only one who bites here is me." she grins cheekily and you blink stupidly, only to enter in complete disbelief. "a...all right, andy I haven't put any money aside for my funeral yet" you look at her nervously as she gets in but all andy does is put on her sunglasses, which only makes the situation hotter, and she starts the engine.

"ok ok so how..... long does this baby need to get to 100...?" Andy plays with the engine sound. 

"less than three seconds..." 

You immediately start sweating and reflexively hold on to something. "don't worry, it's not the first time I've driven a baby like this" you were just about to say something when Andy drives off. "Did I already say that I love you? i...if I die then you've heard it now" Andy just laughs and accelerates a little more. "Tell me, how fast can he actually drive?" You've only just calmed down a bit when Andy puts the car into the next gear. 

"let's just find out"

 Before you can say anything, it pushes you back into your seat. The road is clear and Andy continues to accelerate while the car purrs dutifully.

"I know the island inside out" Andy drives a good 190 km/h and hesitates for a moment. 

"Andy?" you look at her nervously and look straight ahead to see that the road is straight as a die. 

"Andy...no...n-" She presses the gas pedal and the car accelerates to almost 340 km/h in a few seconds. "Andy I swear if I die I'll kill you!" Just a little later, she slows down as the road becomes more winding. You both stop at a traffic light, both look at the road and laugh at the same moment. "That was awesome!" Andy gives you a cheeky look and finally drives on. When you arrive, you park in a large front garden with a mosaic stone path. You can't miss the huge villa, which has a huge garden with a maze and pool. "Let's put our stuff away first, then we can go for something to eat." Andy opens the double door and you enter a huge, beautiful hallway with a chandelier.

"oh my god Andy...but...how can you pay for this?"

"let's put it this way. I have a few people i know here" Andy smirks, comes over to you and kisses you passionately. You stow your luggage in the bedroom and go out onto the balcony to enjoy the pool and the different fauna.

You go back into the room and see Andy on her cell phone. "hey...judging by your face, it must have something to do with the 19. Get rid of it! We want to switch off" You go to her, hug her and kiss her neck very gently, eliciting a soft moan from her. "ok ok..stop!" Andy takes you by the shoulders and looks you in the eye. 

"Eat! It's almost lunchtime and we haven't eaten since we arrived." You nod. "Do you have any idea where we can go for lunch?"

"So while we're here we should try some specialties. I know a lot of them, my mom also always cooked them." Your eyes are shining. "I'll definitely come back to Seattle with a hundred pounds more" you laugh and finally sit down in the Spano again. "There's a great Puerto Rican chef nearby. He makes one of my favorite dishes!"

When you arrive, sit down outside in one of the more secluded alleyways with a view down towards the beach.

 "What would you recommend?" you look at her excitedly. "Mofongo and sorullos for dessert"

"I have no idea what that is, but I have to try it!"

"And two pina coladas to drink" Andy calls the waitress.

You order, enjoy the view and when the food finally arrives you look at Andy in disbelief after the first bite. "wow, that's awesome!"

"Are you tired?" Andy and you walk down to the beach after eating. "hm...maybe a little, but we can still do something else." You take her by the hand and smile shyly. "let's go to the beach" Andy smiles in love and the two of you walk along the beach together. "Is it weird for you to walk with me by the hand?" you don't look at her and Andy smiles slightly. "Never, it's... unusual but it doesn't bother me in any way." You breathe a sigh of relief, which doesn't go unnoticed by Andy, who suddenly pushes you against the wall of the house. "I kiss you in public too and it..." she comes so close to you that you can feel her breath on your lips while her eyes keep switching between your eyes and your lips. "...I don't care what others think...no matter how new it is for me. I love you and you are incredibly important to me..." You gasp at her words and can't help but kiss her lovingly. She clasps your hands tightly, lets go of one and continues walking with you on one hand towards the beach.

Once you arrive at the beach, you take off your shoes and enjoy the warm afternoon sunshine. "I used to come here a lot with my father, visit friends and just relax. But he was always thinking about 19, it was always on his mind. It was hard for him to relax.... just like it's hard for me now...19 is my home. I grew up there, I know everything about this station. I've seen people grow up with that station and now they're veterans at their jobs. That's where I want to be. Unbelievable that it almost burned down." Andy stops and looks into the emptiness of the ocean. "hey...it happened, but everything will be rebuilt. you'll stay captain and things will go back to normal." you give her a kiss on the cheek. 

"If the department doesn't blame me for what happened. It's been my job to keep a cool head..."

"Yes, but these were events that you could never influence. We will deal with them if necessary" Andy was just about to say something when you both heard a terrible scream. A woman is running with a lifeless child in her arms and keeps calling for help. 

"Oh god Andy!" You both don't hesitate and immediately run to the woman and Andy picks up the child, puts it on the floor and feels for a pulse.

"Señora, ¿qué ha pasado?" (Lady what happened?) Andy says tense.

"Se ha metido una piedra en la boca, quería sacársela pero ya se la ha tragado, ¡oh dios por favor ayúdale!". (He put a stone in his mouth, I wanted to get it out but he's already swallowed it, oh god please help him!)

"¡Todavía tengo un ligero pulso!" (Still got a slight pulse!) Andy picks up the boy, uses the Heimlich and doesn't give up while the mother starts to hyperventilate. You try to calm her down while Andy continues to try to clear the boy's airways. 

"damn the stone must be too deep!" Andy takes him by the legs, lets him hang down and keeps tapping hard on the child's back and miraculously the stone finally falls out of his throat. He coughs hard and starts to cry, which makes Andy and you breathe a sigh of relief. The first responders, who you had also called in the meantime, arrive immediately.

"¡que dios os proteja y os de las gracias por siempre! ¡muchas gracias, sin vosotros habría tenido que enterrar a mi propio hijo!" (may god protect you and thank you forever! thank you so much, without you I would have had to bury my own son!) The first responders are impressed and take care of the little boy. The mother hugs Andy and you exuberantly.

"no hay problema... todo lo mejor para ambos" (no problem...all the best to you both)

Andy smiles caringly and you say goodbye. "phew...wow...great performance Captain?" you look at her proudly. "Stop it.." Andy smiles embarrassedly and turns towards the sea. 

"Children...are full of surprises. That's why I never wanted any," you say without thinking, amused, but Andy unconsciously flinches at your words. "You...don't want children?"

"Well, I never really thought about it. I don't have great experience with them. And you?" You look at Andy curiously. "So...well with the right partner maybe" Andy's eyes avoid yours. "OK, what's going on. You look like something is going on" you sit down on the sand and enjoy the warm Caribbean wind. "I was once pregnant by a boyfriend at the time. We had been together for a while but the circumstances just weren't right. I...aborted it. I never told him anything about it because if Ryan had wanted it, I wouldn't have it managed to abort..."

"wow..ok. kind of understandable." you let sand trickle between your fingers. "I'm captain now. I just can't think about it at the moment, but it's never out of the question." You look at her thoughtfully and take a deep breath. "Okay, well, if you're sure you want children then why not? You could stay as captain and I could carry the baby. But that's a topic later." You clean your hands.

You both stand up and smile lovingly at each other. You feel something in Andy's eyes that you've never felt from her before, but you can't place it. "i...is everything ok Andy...?"

"yes, everything's fine. we should go back slowly. it'll be dark soon. tomorrow we'll go hiking" you watch her and pause for a moment, the aura that surrounds Andy feels strange, then you run after her.

Back at the villa you sit on the balcony with some tea when Andy comes over and keeps you company. "First day here and already such an action today" you laugh quietly and Andy joins in. "yes, true" Andy drinks her tea, stands up in front of you and tenderly takes your hand. "let's go inside" She slowly leads you to your bedroom, stands in front of you and cups your face with one hand. "You...have been so stubborn..." a kiss on your neck follows. "I? More like..you" You enjoy her touch and inhale sharply. She gently pushes you onto the bed and unzips her robe. "We should really celebrate our arrival here..." Andy teases you with her look.

-----------18+ RAW SMUT (if u wanna skip, feel free and skip to the next chapter)-------

She lets her bathrobe slide off her body. You want to sit up but she leans down towards you and prevents you from moving. She opens your robe as well.

"I'm your captain...you have to obey..." She looks at you teasingly and pins you to the bed by holding your hands, kisses your neck and places delicate kisses all over it. You whimper under each one and get goosebumps all over your body. "Andy....." your vision blurs and your breathing becomes faster. She moves down to your chest, places dirty kisses everywhere, marks every single spot on your body. She lets go of your hands, moves down even deeper and stops right at the sensitive middle between your thighs. She gently strokes her fingers over your clit, kisses it which causes you to reach into her hair out of reflex.

Andy suddenly slows down every single movement which makes you look at her begging.

 "Que pasa..?" (what's wrong...?) Andy asks, looking at you teasingly.

 "Don't stop...please..." you beg softly, looking at her pathetically. Andy cheekily raises an eyebrow. 

"I don't know you like that... begging the captain like that..." She leans down and kisses you, at the same time slowly and carefully slipping one of her fingers inside you. You moan in aggravation and cling tightly to Andy.

 "I'm sure there's more..." Andy speeds up her pace a little, making your breathing more ponderous until you moan in an ungodly tone, while you are melting under her sweet breath. Lots of little electric shocks go through your body as you feel yourself almost reaching your limit, Andy continues, nibbling your neck and inserting a second finger. "A...Andy...keep going" You squint your eyes and put your hands over your mouth as you start to moan, but Andy stops you as she holds your hands tightly and you groan out loud.

Andy smiles contentedly and lies down next to you while you struggle to breathe. "ooof... that was wild... pretty naughty of you" You turn and snuggle up to her. "You know that screams revenge," you smile darkly. "mmh...is that the way to talk to your captain....?"

"maybe I don't just want to talk..." you suddenly sit on top of her, holding her tight this time and looking at her challengingly. Your hand wanders between her thighs. "mmh... well, captain. you're pretty impatient, aren't you?" Andy looks at you silently as she bites her lower lip to hold back a moan.

"no...equal rights for all!" You kiss Andy directly on the mouth, so she can no longer suppress a moan, while you start to stroke your fingers more tenderly on her sensitive middle.

The two of you spend almost the whole night making love, turning it into a competition until one of you can't take it anymore and finally gives up.

AN: oops...what just happend here? Sounds almost like a small honeymoon. This was the first Part of the Puerto Rico Trip. Next chapter will also be longer.

[chaletnz]

Amazon: Arriving at Maniti Camp

Despite plans to wake up extra early to go and get breakfast before it got super hot, I had been woken many times overnight from the heat and the noisy fan blowing on me. I took a cold shower to refresh and stepped out to find a massive jungle bug in there on the wall. I noped out of there and quickly took all my stuff out of the bathroom and closed the door. My breakfast spot was about a ten minute walk away at La Mona Cafeteria. My expectations were a little high, but I was still happy with my croissant and a papaya/pineapple juice to fill the hole before I got picked up for my tour. The café had a resident skinny cat and on the walk back I passed a street cat with kittens! The guide, Wellington Marcielo, arrived a little early while I was still finishing up packing but he was happy to wait a few minutes and then flagged down a mototaxi to drive me and my bag to the port while he rode his motorbike in front of us. The drive north of Iquitos was about 20 minutes or so and through a market where the road got very bumpy. At the port I was introduced to the tour guide Rodrigo, and the other four guests going to the eco-lodge camp with me. It was a family of Puerto Ricans but the girls, Naomi and Rachel, who were probably around my age or a few years younger lived in Massachusetts with some cushy sounding government jobs. This trip was for the dad, who had always wanted to visit the Amazon rainforest. We set off on our boat ride towards the jungle camp down the River Nay, the water eventually changed from blue to dirty brown as we entered the Amazon river and continued north. As we rode slowly Rodrigo told us about the famous river. There are 30 different species of piranha in the Amazon rainforest although most live in lakes, the river contains a lot of catfish – some up to 3-4 feet long. The dolphins here are protected by law and by superstition as the shamans say that dolphins used to be people that chose to come back and live in the water. He also said that he’d led tours where Chinese tourists wanted to eat the dolphins, he was shocked and said “they’ll start eating each other in China!” The Amazon river changes shape every year as the current erodes the banks and washes away parts of the land, but then other parts get drier and form more pockets of land. Quite a marvel. Rodrigo also explained his masters’ thesis about sloth poop and how they bury it under the soil at the base of their tree so that pumas and jaguars won’t find it and know the sloth is there to attack. There is also a specific type of moth that feeds off the algae that forms on a sloth’s fur as it eats leaves and dribbles the juices on itself. This moth lays its eggs in the sloth poop and this mini ecosystem continues. After about two hours of riding down the river we entered a small inlet that led us to our camp where we all unloaded ourselves and our luggage and walked across wooden boards, and tree trunks to get up the bank to our camp. We were allocated our rooms and went in to unpack and use the facilities, then we regrouped for a jungle walk before lunch with Rodrigo. He showed us the “veggie ivory” that is shipped to China to make buttons, a tree that produces iodine that is used as antiseptic in jungle communities, the pona walking palm tree with a spiky trunk used as a grater, as well as a lovely leech pit and bullet ant nest. The walk was only about 40 minutes but in that time I amassed so many bites on my arms but the baby insect repellent cream seemed to work on my legs as I didn’t end up with nearly as many there!

[wjdexclusives]

14K Real Gold Puerto Rico Flag Palm Tree Pendant 0.9"-1.9"

https://www.wjdexclusives.com/product/necklaces-pendants/pendants/14k-real-gold-puerto-rico-flag-palm-tree-pendant-0-9-1-9/

14K Real Gold Puerto Rico Flag Palm Tree Pendant 0.9"-1.9"

Celebrate your Puerto Rican pride with this vibrant enamel pendant featuring the Puerto Rican flag and a palm tree. The pendant is highlighted with simulated diamonds and crafted in 14K yellow gold, making it a stunning accessory that draws attention and sparks conversations. Available in three sizes to suit any style.

Product Specifics All specifications are approximate and may vary for the same model.

Metal

Yellow Gold

Metal Purity

14K

Finish

Enamel

Main Stone

Simulated Diamond

Creation

Simulated

Cut

Round

Setting

Channel

Crafted in

Italy

3rd Party Appraisal

Available for Purchase

Product Details All specifications are approximate and may vary for the same model.

Height

1.9" (48mm)

1.3" (33mm)

0.9" (25mm)

Width

33mm

25mm

19mm

Weight

3.7g

2.4g

1.7g

Thickness

1.8g

2mm

2.3mm

Bail Clearance

8mm

6.5mm

3mm

Stone Carat

0.60Ctw

0.40Ctw

0.30Ctw

Style ID: 13042 ZF-L (internal use only): WJDDK

[jordenwade]

Airbnb Mayaguez Puerto Rico: Experience the Charm of the West Coast

Nestled on the western coast of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez is a vibrant city with a rich history, stunning natural beauty, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're seeking a relaxing beach getaway, an adventure-filled vacation, or a cultural immersion, Airbnb in Mayaguez offers a diverse range of accommodations to suit every traveler's needs.

For those craving a beach retreat, Mayaguez boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. From the pristine shores of Playa Buyé to the tranquil waters of Playa Sucia, you'll find plenty of opportunities to soak up the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or simply unwind with a book under the shade of a palm tree. Airbnb options near these beaches range from cozy beachfront cottages to luxurious oceanfront villas, providing the perfect setting for a rejuvenating seaside escape.

Adventure enthusiasts will also find plenty to love about Mayaguez. The nearby Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge offers a haven for birdwatching and hiking, with its diverse ecosystem of mangroves, salt flats, and coastal forests. For a more adrenaline-pumping experience, visitors can explore the region's caves, such as the Cueva Ventana, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Airbnb accommodations near these natural wonders provide a comfortable base for exploring the great outdoors, with options ranging from rustic cabins nestled in the mountains to modern eco-friendly lodges.

History buffs will delight in Mayaguez's rich cultural heritage. The city is home to the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, known for its beautiful campus and historical significance as one of the oldest universities in the Caribbean. Nearby attractions like the Mayaguez Historic District and the Eugenio María de Hostos Museum offer insights into the city's colonial past and its role in Puerto Rico's cultural evolution. Airbnb properties in the heart of Mayaguez allow guests to immerse themselves in the city's history, with charming colonial-style homes and apartments that offer a glimpse into the past while providing modern comforts.

Food lovers will also find Mayaguez a culinary paradise, with its blend of traditional Puerto Rican cuisine and international flavors. From street food stalls serving up local favorites like mofongo and empanadillas to upscale restaurants offering gourmet seafood dishes, there's something to satisfy every palate. Airbnb experiences in Mayaguez often include culinary tours and cooking classes, allowing guests to learn about the local ingredients and techniques that make Puerto Rican cuisine so unique.

In addition to its natural beauty, adventurous spirit, rich history, and delicious cuisine, Mayaguez is also known for its warm and welcoming locals, who take pride in sharing their culture and traditions with visitors. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat, an active adventure, or a cultural exploration,  Airbnb Mayaguez Puerto Rico offers a diverse array of accommodations that promise an unforgettable experience on Puerto Rico's enchanting west coast.

[ayquebella]

Vintage Puerto Rico Island Ornate Sterling Silver & Enamel Large Unisex Pendant Medallion – Me Encanta La Isla del Encanto

¡Guau! Ay, qué bella! Such a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, ornate-shaped pendant medallion representing Puerto Rico, the Caribbean Island of Enchantment (La Isla del Encanto)! This incredibly beautiful, large pendant is etched and enameled with images of the island with a tropical palm tree and the Puerto Rican flag. The sterling silver on the pendant medallion shines brilliantly and the enamel is vivid and vibrant – not unlike the island herself! This spectacular pendant is designed to be worn with tremendous pride on your favorite necklace or chain!

[jnkay]

Judges on the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit last month traded their 13-story home base in Boston’s Seaport district for a Spanish style courthouse sandwiched between palm trees in the Caribbean.

San Juan in winter sounds like a nice getaway, and the judges hear that a lot. But the change of venue is tricky, the schedule is packed, and some Puerto Ricans—who can’t vote in presidential elections or access many government programs—remain torn over the US’s second-highest court system handling cases on the island.

The twice-yearly First Circuit sittings in San Juan, which have been going on for more than 70 years, “make palpable that Puerto Rico is part and parcel of the First Circuit even though we are separated by an ocean,” said Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach, chief judge of the US District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.

But members of El Colegio de Abogados de Puerto Rico, a local bar association, would prefer the federal court have no presence on the island, saying it subjects citizens to a legal system and language they view as foreign. Read more at Bloomberg Law.

[messysuitcaseblog]

Kayaking up the Guajataca River

We enjoyed a lovely morning kayaking on the Guajataca River with Planeta Kayak. We also hiked up a mountain to an abandoned railroad tunnel (used long ago for sugar cane, or caña) called el Túnel Negro (the Black Tunnel, for obvious reasons. Thank goodness for cellphone flashlights!).

Rio Guajataca (pronounced REE-oh Gwah-hah-TAH-kuh) is located on the border of Isabela and Quebradillas on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico. The leisurely trip cost $40 cost per person, which included double kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and a two-hour tour. Although the water was placid and the pace relaxing, adventure seekers enjoyed a chance to dump into the river from a rope swing!

Our tour guide Jose spoke in rapid Puerto Rican Spanish, so we didn’t catch it all. But we saw mangroves and other interesting tropical trees and plants, fascinating birds, and even a nest with chicks right along the water. We suggest you wear a swimsuit under your clothes, wear good walking sandals for the hike, which is short but challenging. Don’t forget sunscreen! And bring your own water bottle, because our guide brought a cooler but apparently forgot to fill it with water bottles for his guests.

All in all, it was a refreshing day, and we recommend it! Afterward, you can head to the nearby beach and enjoy an afternoon under the palm trees.

Planeta Kayak: https://www.facebook.com/planeta.kayak/

Rio Guajataca: https://www.puertoricotravelguide.com/playa-guajataca-isabela-quebradillas/

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/edY1npssBDejbz83A

[elijones94]

🌴 Today was a bit overcast, but it was still a descent day to swim in Vega Baja.

[eriki]

FORBES #10. Bad Bunny • $88 M The Puerto Rican rapper, best known for combining reggaeton (a mix of Caribbean reggae and mainland rap) with Latin trap (a hip-hop sub-genre with roots in the southern U.S.) charmed millions around the world as he flew on a palm tree on tour, appeared alongside Brad Pitt in Bullet Train and challenged machismo with genderfluid style. The lion’s share of his income came from two tours: El Último Tour Del Mundo, performed in arenas, and The World’s Hottest Tour, his first time playing in the biggest possible stadiums. Endorsements with the likes of Corona, Cheetos, and Adidas were icing on the cake. https://www.instagram.com/p/Coo_XMWOC9y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tropiqualwaves]

[pureandrea]

Mi melodía favorita para el verano es aquella de las olas.

[fatehbaz]

In the Caribbean region, an archipelago that Edouard Glissant once described as “fissured by histories,” resilience has been wrought out of the ebb and flow of intellectual and physical currents [...], [...] mercurial - a fluid ecology […] - yet one rooted in […] shared historical markers: a fateful European encounter […], the plantation, […] slow violence of environmental mismanagement […]. In the discourse of Caribbean resilience, Haiti has emerged as a symbol of a nation in environmental crisis, an ecological revenant warning of the direst consequences [...]. Haiti is, according to scientific consensus, the most environmentally degraded nation in the Caribbean [...]. [T]he decline of frogs in particular [...] is a biological early warning signal [...]. When frogs start disappearing, other species will follow and the Haitian people will suffer, as well, from this environmental catastrophe.

I cannot think of one single frog species in the Caribbean not under some sort of assault. Think, for example, of the plight of the critically endangered Dominica and Montserrat crapauds (Leptodactylus fallax or mountain chicken), gathered and airlifted to zoos around the world in an effort to preserve the species [...]. In Haiti, where there are roughly 50 species of frogs, many of them endemic, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists 92 percent as threatened or endangered, with most of them in the critically endangered category. The greatest threat to this endangered frog population is the destruction of Haitian forests [...]. A recent study found “that as many as 26 species occur together in the isolated mountain forests of southwest Haiti, greatly increasing the threat of mass extinctions [...]”. The extinction crisis facing Haiti’s frogs is the centerpiece of a prescient text published 25 years ago by Cuban-born Puerto Rican writer Mayra Montero - Tu, la oscuridad/In the Palm of Darkness, [...] [an] avowedly environmentalist novel. It narrates [...] how the extinction of species is the direct outcome of Haiti’s environmental collapse [...]. Her tale is that of a postcolonial nightmare marked by [...] institutionalized brutality [...]. It is an example of how the narrative of Haiti’s negative exemplarity has become part and parcel of the ways in which we narrate environmental crises and resilience in the region.

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We can tell this story alongside that of the efforts to save Puerto Rico’s endangered endemic parrot species, the Amazona vittata. Like the Haitian frogs, the Puerto Rican parrot is categorized by the IUCN as Critically Endangered and is one of the 10 most vulnerable birds in the world. We can gauge the extent of the loss this endangered status represents by considering that they once flew in sky-darkening flocks over Puerto Rico and the neighboring islands of Mona, Culebra, and Vieques. Researchers have estimated the extent of the Puerto Rican parrot population before European colonization as between 100,000 and one million individuals. 

Flocks of 50 to 100 birds were still to be seen in the Luquillo rainforest as late as the early 1900s, when a rapid deforestation caused by a shift to sugar cultivation after the American takeover brought forest coverage in the island to a precarious two percent (that of present-day Haiti) [...]. Puerto Rico’s reforesting success, however, has been the work [...] of bats primarily, whose remarkable success in distributing seed has achieved the successful reforestation of one of the parrots’ principal former habitats, the island’s Karst region covering the island’s northwest quadrant, [...] heavily deforested [...] for aggressive sugar cultivation by US companies [...]. It put Puerto Rico and its biodiversity on the path of a[n] [...] effective recovery. [...]

Not so for the Amazona ventralis in Haiti, as parrots need, above all, extensive forests [...]. We may never again see a parrot soaring above the tree canopy in a Haitian forest.

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It is in the context of biodiversity threats that we must read the urgency of the Haitian farmers’ fight against donated [corporate, patented] seeds [...] in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. [...] Haitian peasant movements have been vocal in their opposition to agribusiness imports [...] which undermines [...] local seed stocks, which are a crucial form of biodiversity conservation. [...] [There was] intensive coverage of the 2010 earthquake and the cholera outbreak that followed from television, blogs, commentators, magazines, photojournalists, and celebrities [...].

The ubiquitous references to the resilience of the Haitian people rarely included any context [...]. 

Coverage did not extend to the analysis of how the Haitian people found themselves in their present predicament. In what Elizabeth McAllister called “the dehistoricization of the victims and the depoliticization of the disaster,” audiences learned little or nothing about Haitian poverty as the result of the United States-supported policies [...], or of “international debt and inequitable trade deals,” or “the international banking institutions’ neoliberal structural adjustment programs and the subsequent collapse of the Haitian agricultural sector that stemmed from US imports.” The media’s discourse on resilience stemmed from a naive notion of the Haitian people’s ability to recover [...] from the multiple misfortunes fate had inflicted upon them [...] relegating their poverty to a natural condition. [...]

As Haiti goes, so does the rest of the archipelago.

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All text above by: Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert. “Caribbean Archipelagos and Mainlands: Building Resistance against Climate Change”. The Black Scholar, Volume 51 (2021), Issue 2, pages 51-62. Published online June 2021. At: doi dot org slash 10.1080/00064246.2021.1889887 [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism.]