Day [1&2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 ]

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You probably don't really care what time I get up or what I have for breakfast, so I will dispense with that drivel and get on to what you would like to see. What you'll see!

After a while the days start to get blurred as you start relaxing and forgetting all the Type A people you were dealing with before you landed and started unwinding. If you're smart your battery is dead on your cel phone by now, and you've located a cooler and have been hitting the beaches (in the shade, of course) in the morning. Whatever time of day that is at this point! Watch? Time is relative and vacation is the wrong place for a timepiece. In fact, when you go somewhere to eat, remember that. You're on island time. Things get done when they get done, and if they don't get done today, there's always "mañana". * Kick back, relax, and have another Piña Colada. After all, where are you going? The sun's going to be there all day. The only exception to these rules are dinner reservations and bio-bay trips. Other than that, there's no other need.

If you have a car, and the time (ya, right!), you'll want to take a tour of the island. One of the more helpful guides is The Vieques Map 2001 by Whizzbang Designs. You can pick one up pretty much anywhere, but remember one thing. You really can't get lost in Vieques. No matter how lost you think you are, you'll be somewhere you recognize before you know it.

When touring the island look out for the cattle and horses, they're everywhere, some being ridden, but most just out grazing without boundaries. If you hit one, you lose. They will totally screw up your day, not to mention you and the car! So, be attentive and, again, don't be in a hurry.

There's some great sites and incredible vistas. When the air is dry enough, you can see St. Thomas and St Croix. It was that clear, when I was there. Sometimes it's so clear you feel like you can touch them. Anyway, go to the beach, spend your hour, get fried and then trek out to see the island.

Visit the museum at the fort in Mambiche (El Forte Conde de Mirasol), the lighthouse (El Faro), and the lighthouse in Isabel II. Walk the town and see the remaining old Spanish building left there, while you can. See the Alcaldia (town hall), Bar Plaza, the theatre, and many of the old houses in the town. Visit the town square, which is so typical of every town in Puerto Rico. Every town has one, some more elaborate than others, but they are the center of every town, all have beautifully shaped ficus trees, which offer the weary travel deep shade and protection from the sun. The one in Vieques originally contained a massive cistern from which the residents could draw water.

If it's morning, and you're in Isabel II, stop by Panaderia Lydia near the waterfront for a pound of pan de agua (the local bread). Fresh from the oven, you can easily devour an entire loaf before you get it home. OK, OK, "I" can devour an entire loaf before I get it home! It's GREAT!! And don't forget a cup of coffee to wash it down. Of course, if you have a sweet tooth, they have fresh pastries, cheese cakes, donuts, etc, ad nauseum. Now that you gained 5 pounds, take a bumpy ride in the hills or out to Green Beach to work it off.

Don't forget your license, if you're going to Green Beach, because you need it to gain access to the base. Shortly after you access the base, at the bottom of the hill, is one of the few remaining Ceiba trees left in Vieques. It's on the right, by the old entrance, behind a locked fence, but is a site. Huge roots extend up the sides of the tree eight feet high. They're like ribbons that you could hide behind. And the tree is covered with large spikes. It's awesome.

On the drive out to the beach, which is at the far western tip of the island, you should view Laguna Kiani, a wildlife refuge and huge mangrove swamp.

How do you know when you get to Green Beach? Puerto Rico is right there and you can't go any further. The beach is best visited before 2PM as by late afternoon the "no see-ums" (biting gnats) get unbearable. The snorkeling is excellent, especially to the south. And the view of the main island is fabulous. Take your camera.

Continued

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