Monday Morning Memories- Puerto Rico, Episode 4

The Intern in Puerto Rico Episode 4: Bioluminescent Bay

Two days later – after driving through dirt roads, hiking through inclined narrowed paths, fighting against rapid waters, and jumping off cliffs – Peter and I decided to take a kayak tour through the famous Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo to see what the fuzz was all about. The Bioluminescent Bay, one of the main attractions of Puerto Rico, is a bay filled with plankton that light up whenever they are disturbed. The only thing about plankton was that they were only visible when it was pitch black.

We got on the road around 4:30 P.M. that day in order to get to Bioluminescent Bay by 6:00 P.M. Luckily, we did not hit traffic on the way and found our destination with no problem. Therefore, we decided to stop by a nearby grocery store to pick up a couple of OFF! sprays (to keep those famous-nasty-Puerto Rican mosquito off our legs, arms, armpits, fingers, toes, back part of the ear, and all those places that just get so annoying when bitten). Then, we met back up with the rest of the tour to get ready for our adventure into the Bioluminescent Bay.
The tour guide split the group up into partners where one person would sit in the front of the kayak while the other sat in the back. We pushed our kayak away from the shore and paddled our way to meet up with the tour guide, who waited by an opening of a ravine. Once everyone met up with the tour guide we started our long and tiresome paddle through the dark and mossy ravine that would eventually lead us into the Bioluminescent Bay. As we progressed deeper into the ravines the water got darker, the moonlight got dimmer, the air got colder, and the noise of the splashes made by our paddles was amplified. Slowly, the murky ravine became iridescent with plankton life. Every time our paddle entered the water the plankton would light up all around it. Once all outside light completely disappeared the visibility of the light-up plankton transformed the once-dark ravines into an energetic and vibrant playground. The bottom of our kayaks lit up with an ever-illuminating glow, beams of light surged through the murky waters as fishes swam by, sparkling ripples formed as frogs and other creatures jumped in the water in search for food, and balls of light were flying all over the place as I chucked plankton-filled seaweed at Peter.
Finally, the ravines opened up into the Fluorescent Bay where the tour guide told us to go for a swim. Neither one of us dove in, seeing that we (well, at least me), are extremely terrified of any species living underwater. My whole body cringed when I saw a school of fish (each about 2 feet in length), their bodies outlined by a perpetual flow of light, as they circled our kayak like hungry sharks. However, even though I felt like I was going to have a panic attack along with my constant cringing the scene of this place made up for it. It was completely phenomenal, because here I was sitting on a kayak in an illuminating bay with a starlit night sky over my head. I was seriously “over my head” with how beautiful the combination of this place was.
As you know, all great things come to an end. After an hour or so out in the bay, we started paddling back through the ravines and back to shore. The paddle through the ravines was like a slow rewind. Slowly and silently, all the luminescent plankton faded away as we got close to shore. And, our illuminated adventure through the Bioluminescent Bay became a distant nebulous dream.

15 Perfectly Good Reasons to Visit the Bahamas

Looking for some good excuses to travel to the Bahamas? Look no further! We have all the excuses, I mean perfectly good reasons, right here.

1. Bahamians drive on the left side of the road. This is a good time to see just how ambidextrous your driving really is.

2. If math isn’t your thing, go to the Bahamas in order to avoid confusing currency exchange rates. The Bahamian dollar is equal to the U.S. dollar.

3. No passport, no problem! Nassau Paradise Island is one of the few places that will allow U.S. citizens to enter the country without a passport. There is one little catch though- the U.S. will require your passport as proof you are a citizen in order to enter back into the country.

4. Many hotels allow children under the age of 12 to stay free! And even provide activities to keep children entertained while the adults engage in more adult activities.

5. Did someone come in and clean your bathroom, hang up fresh towels, and make your bed for you today? If you were staying in a hotel on the beach in Nassau someone would!

6. The water temperature in the Bahamas hardly ever drops below a perfect 72 degrees F.

7. Beaches, beaches, and more beaches.

8. How would you prefer to explain your sunburn on Monday morning? You got it while mowing the yard? Or while laying out on a private beach in the Bahamas??

9. Snorkeling is just not something that can be done at a desk. And it must be done!

10. The captain’s hat in your closet will make a lot more sense if you take it sailing.

11. Fishing! You can finally say, “I once caught a fish this big!”

12. Flights to Nassau as low was $245 round trip!

13. You have never seen a real palm tree on a beach before. And that’s just sad.

14. You have 20 days of use or lose vacation time you are about to lose.

15. It’s the Bahamas!!

Top Ten Free Things to Do in Washington, DC for the 4th of July

Looking for something free, fun, and exciting to do this Fourth of July? Try Washington, DC for the best fireworks and the best free things!

1. Free performances daily at 6 pm on the Millenium Stage at the Kennedy Center!

2. Take a long meandering and beautiful walk along the Potomac River starting in Georgetown Harbor, ending along the Washington Waterfront.

3. Did you know all of the Smithsonian Institute Museums are free? That’s 18 free world-class museums!

4. What better way to celebrate freedom and liberty than to take a tour of the White House?

5. Call your Congressman or Senator’s office in advance to ask for a personal tour of the Capitol Building. (You can also just show up and take a tour from a docent from the visitor’s office.)

6. Visit the National Mall and Monuments- the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial (and more!), are all free, and open 365 days a year!

7. While you are visiting the National Mall, scope out your seat for one of the best- and free- fireworks displays in the country! On the 4th of July crowds arrive early in the day to stake their spot on the grounds, watch a few free concerts, enjoy a picnic, and watch the fireworks after dark!

8. Pay tribute to our Nation’s fallen soldiers with a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. (The cemetery is free to visitors, however parking does cost $1.75.)

9. Union Station is more than just a train station. It is full of history, artwork, restaurants, and shops. It is free to enter, but we can’t be held responsible for what  you may want to buy once you are inside!

10. The National Geographic Museum is one of DC’s best kept secrets. With educational exhibits that compliment the internationally renowned magazine, visitors old and young alike will be entertained and amazed at what they see inside.

Monday Morning Memories- The Intern in Puerto Rico

Intern Nate continues his Puerto Rico Adventures…

Episode 3: Las Tinajas in Fajardo, Puerto Rico: The Great Escape

I struggled the next morning (after a great night at Noche de San Juan (or Puerto Rico) fighting the blinding rays of the sun. It hurt my eyes when I slept facing it, so I turned my back against it only to find my back was sizzling as if I was lying on a heated cooking pan. I forced myself out of bed by 11 A.M. and did my zombie walk into the bathroom for a prolonged shower. After my shower I met up with Peter at local bakery for breakfast right across the street from our hotel, and this was where our next imminent, crazy, and spontaneous adventure began.

At the local bakery we bumped into a group of 3 guys and 1 girl. They were all excited talking amongst themselves about an exotic river. The words, “exotic river,” caught my attention, but then I heard these words, “jumping off 40 ft. cliffs into crystal clear water.” Now all my attention focused on the thought that I had to somehow go with them! And, Peter, being the spontaneous and random person he is, walked over to them and asked them if we could possibly tag along.

At that moment, I thought quietly to myself: “Pete you are so stupid. They don’t even know us. You ruined our chance of ever seeing such a place. They are going to say no.” However, this group of adventure seekers miraculously gave us the answer of YES that I never expected in a million years. Peter and I hurried up back to our hotel rooms and changed into our bathing suits, then met back up with them back in their van parked right outside the bakery. The ride was two hours, the first hour was on a straight highway, but the second more nausea-filled hour was on bumpy off-road ride through the twisted and curvy dirt paths of a steep mountain. And, I am not going to say, “as if I was going to puke,” because I really was going to projectile puke at any moment, but luckily for everyone sitting in front of me the van came to final halt.

WHEW! I quickly jumped out of the car only to find myself standing in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing exotic about this place. It was all just dirt paths leading into the forest forking into more dirt paths leading into more undiscovered parts of the mountain. Therefore, I started to question the people who brought us there. They said, “Don’t worry. It’s just a little hike in order to reach the final destination,” so we started hiking up an endless and narrow dirt path. We hiked over twenty minutes until we finally came to a deterrent wall of a local old guy’s house. “NOW WHAT?” Peter and I asked. They told us that we must trespass and sneak through this private property, in order to reach this exotic river (a.k.a. Las Tinajas). Best of all we learned that this disgruntled old man usually comes out of his house with a shotgun when he suspected there were trespassers in his property.

What seemed like a good idea back in the bakery quickly manifested to what was becoming the worst decision ever made! We all hopped over the fence and clandestinely jolted through the property as if part of a secret ops mission. After a couple of more difficult hikes through narrow paths we saw a guy swinging from the top of a tree into crystal clear waters totally secluded from the rest of civilization. The river was surrounded by boulders, underwater caves, tall trees, cliffs that ranged from 20 to 40 feet, and mini-waterfalls making it vibrant with nature’s touch. It was essentially the most beautiful and dreamy-like place I have ever been to in my life.

Naturally, Peter and I tried swinging off the tree; however, we did not land it with such finesse as the first guy did. Our bodies were all contorted whenever we let go of the rope that we would end up belly-flopping in the water. We stayed there for about an hour or so before heading further up in search of the diving spots. The hike up the river was not easy at all, because the river bed was filled with slippery rocks. There were spots where we steadfastly gripped onto boulders in order to stabilize ourselves against the rapid currents. In other spots we hopped from boulders to boulders. Along the way there were natural slides (and they were fully functional!), natural spas, and all the cool things alike that I do not want to mention and get you jealous.

About an hour and a lifetime’s worth of fun later we finally reached the 40ft. cliff we were to jump off from. We got out of the water and did one of Bear Grylls’ rock climbing maneuvers up the side of the cliff. And, “oh my god,” 40ft. may not seem like a lot, but when you are hovering 40ft. up in the air it feels like the tallest thing ever. My legs started to give out as I looked down. I did not want to jump anymore. I wanted to climb back down, but as I started to turn around Peter shoved me and I flew. The next thing I know I had no grip of anything, my feet where not touching ground, my heart felt like it was coming out of my mouth, and I started squealing like a five year old girl. Peter and the rest of the guys came jumping down one after another. After that initial jump I became in love with that cliff. I jumped and jumped again for the next two hours, and each time my girl-like squeal slowly went away.

Intern Nate Takes the Plunge

It started getting dark out, so we hiked back down the same river trail we came from. Only to find that we were a little lost. We spent two hours trying to find our way back. By the time we got to the car nightfall was fast approaching. They drove us back to our hotel. We invited them to the hotel pool out of courtesy for bringing us on such an amazing adventure, but luckily for us they turned our invitation down. I said “luckily,” because my whole body was soar and aching from hiking the whole day. All I wanted to do was to sleep, and I did so soundly the whole night.

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FREE Things to Do in Mexico City

Considering a trip to Mexico City? Here’s a few of our favorite FREE things to do when you get there-

Free Things to Do in Mexico City

San Jacinto Plaza- This is the main square in the San Angel district, best known for its popular Saturday art market.

Catedral Metropolitana – This cathedral is rumored to be the oldest building in Latin America. The structure’s original foundation dates back to the 16th century.

Zócalo- Also known as the Plaza de la Constitución, the Zócalo is the main square in the Centro Histórico district, across from the Catedral Metropolitana. It’s full of historic sights and ancient architecture, and comes alive with parades, ceremonies and celebrations.

Xochimilco Gardens- Enjoy the two parts of Xochimilco- the traditional area and the ecological park north of town. The canals and lagoons attract bulrushes, ducks, and egrets for fantastic bird watching. You can also visit the lively canals where you will find brightly-colored and squarish boats (trajineras), and families floating in gondolas!

Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe- The Basilica is considered as the second most important sanctuary of Catholicism (this based upon the number of pilgrims it hosts per year) just after the Vatican City.

Monday Morning Memories- the Intern Dialogues, episode 2

Welcome back for Episode 2, of Intern Nate Goes to Puerto Rico. Click here, if you missed Episode 1 of Monday Morning Memories!

Episode 2

Noche de San Juan is a grand festival hosted yearly by the townspeople of Old San Juan. This little town of Old San Juan consists of narrow streets filled with bars, restaurants, clubs, art galleries, town houses – with balconies overlooking the streets – and the cultural attractions alike. Every year the community of Old San Juan would come together and contribute to this huge and phenomenal festival to display the eclectic array of Puerto Rican cultures and traditions.

It wasn’t until then that I realize what Puerto Rico had to offer. I was flabbergasted as one could say, by the sight of music filled streets crowded with people. Everyone there was having fun, families, groups of friends, strangers with strangers, tour groups, and etc. People there were so lively and welcoming that my friend, Peter, and I blended in with the crowd pretty quickly. Random people were coming up to us curious of where we were from; because, here was a Chinese guy and an Irish guy both walking side by side overwhelmed by the very air of the place. When these strangers found out that we were not from around, they immediately told us all the best restaurants, bars, and galleries to go to. They incessantly offered to take us around, and to quote what they said, “Come join us! Party with us! Come out with us! It will be fun!” We were extremely pleased with such act of kindness, as I would call it, but had to turn down the offer. We decided to go at it alone, and not get stuck with one group of people. Instead, we went off meeting a number of unique locals, and the night turned into an amazing adventure.

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

After eating at one of Old San Juan’s most exquisite and chic restaurant/lounge, Dragonfly, we went for some cocktails in a lounge/club called Milk. We stayed there for an hour or so before we decided to walk to the northern part of Old San Juan where the famous fort, El Morro, stood and still stands. It was seriously something to see, especially at night. It was colossal structure sitting on top of a field of grass silhouetted against the nebulous, starry, and dark-blue night sky. You didn’t have to be on a romantic date to admire the beauty of it just being present there placed all the scenic descriptions in a nut shell. Therefore, Pete and I decided to hangout on the grass field leading into the gates of El Morro. It was a perfect night with perfect weather – not too hot and not too chilly – and the right ambience. From afar we heard the faint local music from the streets south of us where the main festival was located. Occasionally, an old dark-skinned man would come by with a cooler filled with Corona beers trying to sell to us. Thus, occasionally, we would succumb and buy two bottles of Corona with lime from him. I mean who can resist a bottle of Corona when you are in one of the islands of the Caribbean. It was only right that we had some. We stayed there until about three in the morning. Our night ended with one last “cheers,” we hoisted our beers, and drank the last sip of Corona before heading back to the hotel.

Travel Tips to London

London has something for everyone- history, fashion, modern movement, architecture, royals, and more.  But can you visit London without breaking the bank?

Travel by rail
London has an incredible mass-transit rail system that will take you virtually anywhere you want to go for a fraction of the cost of a taxi or car rental. And who wants to risk their lives driving on the OTHER side of the road?

Book in advance
If you are only thinking of taking a trip to London, book it now, as far in advance as possible.  Booking far ahead can get you a cheaper rate than if you wait.

Take the bus
The bus system in London is fabulous and easy.  You can get just about anywhere you need to go, and don’t forget to take a ride on one of the double-decker busses!

Look for special airfare offers
London is a popular travel destination, and if you stay alert, you can catch some great deals.

Book last minute
Feel like running away this weekend?  Embrace the spontaneous you, and check for last minute travel deals and last minute plane ticket!  The great deals are out there and you could find yourself in London as soon as this weekend!

Consider hotel alternatives
There are many hostels and bed and breakfasts in London; all you have to do is look for them!  They are often less expensive than major hotels, and the bed and breakfasts in particular offer a homey environment.

Travel with friends
One of the ways to save on your trip is to go with friends.  The more people you share your hotel room with, the less the cost is per person.  Or consider staying in a hostel! London has a plethora of hostels for a fraction of the price a hotel.

Take a walking tour
This city offers an amalgam of walking and bus tours where you can explore and learn about the sights and history of the city with the help of an expert tour guide.  The tours are affordable, educational, and fun!

Top Ten Free Things to do in Paris

Top Ten FREE Things to do in Paris

1. Most churches in Paris are free (except the Saint Chapelle which is not an operating church), and there are plenty of churches! The majority of churches in France are open to the public during daylight hours. Some churches will charge admission to the bell tower, relics, or museums (i.e. Notre Dame charges for the access to the museum and tower). Some of Paris’ most beautiful architecture and art can be found for free in its churches.

2. Free student concerts at the prestigious Conservatoir National Superieur de Paris. Available throughout the year!

3. Did you know that the Louvre is free on Sundays and on Bastille Day? And is always free to children under 17?

4. Paris is the height of fashion, so why not take in a FREE fashion show? Fridays at 3 p.m., March through December, discover the latest trends with a weekly free fashion show at Galeries Lafayette (Reservations required.)

5. Explore the famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, the earthly tomb of Chopin, Jim Morrison, Gertrude Stein, Colette, Moliere, and many more historic figures.

6. At the Pont de Grenelle, at Passy, you’ll find the original model of the Statue of Liberty that France presented to the people of the United States.

7. Walk through Le Marais, the quaint district known for its Jewish roots, strong Chinese influence, and charming ambiance. Also known in the last decade as the new “Gay Paris.” You can find many of the cities up and coming art galleries in this area as well.

8. What could be more romantic than dancing the tango along the banks of the Seine River? Every night throughout the summer you can live another life, as a mysterious stranger who swoops in and dances with the anonymous beauty, before disappearing off into the dark…

9. Not all art is in a museum. Art galleries are free and open to the public, and are a great way to discover art both old and new.

10. Stroll along the Seine and ramble about the Jardin des Tuileries. Similar to the National Mall of Washington, DC (after all, both were designed by Lafayette himself!), there is a lovely, long, green park and walkway stretching down the heart of the city from the place de la Concorde right up to the Louvre, with the Seine River beside it.  View the ponds, sculptures, Eiffel Tower, and much more as you take in one of Paris’ most enjoyable, and free, key features.

Paris doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Romance, beauty, and history do often come at a steep price, but sometimes still, can be had for nothing.

Check out the OneTravel flights to Paris today!

Monday Morning Memories

Summer trip 08 – the best 2 weeks of my life…

Hi! My name is Nathan, the summer intern at OneTravel. I currently reside in the city that never sleeps, New York. I love it here, because everything moves at a rapid pace. If you stop moving you may never get back the rhythm (I may be exaggerating a little bit, but you get the gist of it!), and this is the lifestyle I love.

Every once in a while, like everyone else, I get overwhelmed by this lifestyle, so I find my escape which is Puerto Rico. I frequently visit Puerto Rico because it is an enchanted paradise to go relax in – as I have learned the locals call it, “La Isla Encantada,” which means the enchanted island. People are extremely nice, and all they care about is showing you a good time. Every single time I have frequented this enchanted island the experience has only been great. I would stay at a local hotel, and enjoy local food and drinks – such as bacalao, empanadillas, and fresh coconut juice. The hotels I would stay at never made a difference to me, whether they were of vanity or of chic simplicity, as long as it had a pool and a bar.

Episode 1: The Arrival at El Condado Beach

My last visit to Puerto Rico was the most phenomenal experience. I went with my best friend, Peter, who has never left the state of New York. This was extremely exciting for me being that I was going to show my best friend what Puerto Rico’s fuzz was all about. SO! Let me begin! The flight to Puerto Rico lasted about three and a half hours long. Let me tell you, it felt like the longest three and a half hours ever since we were both so anxious to touch down.

As we approached the white-sanded beaches of Puerto Rico we were both fighting to plaster ourselves onto the aisle’s window, in order to see the perpetual continuum of beaches. The stewardess, actually, yelled at us because “supposedly” we were distracting the other passengers. Come on, we were only a little obnoxious, but what person wouldn’t be with the knowledge that he/she is about to land in one of the most exotic-paradise islands of the Caribbean. So we sat back down, silently smiling, and slowly turning and shifting our bodies back towards the window. We looked outside as the airplane hovered over an endless abyss of clear blue-turquoise water.

“Fifteen minutes until we arrive, and the current temperature is 85 degrees,” said the airplane’s captain. Psyched out of our minds we started punching each other, and did not stop until we landed. I think we ended up bruising each other.

Finally, we reached our destination! So we got out of the airplane, ran to the nearest exit, called the quickest cab, and to had him drive us to the nearest beach. We did not care to check into our hotel first, because all we wanted was to lie down in the beach and have the locals fix us up an exquisite tasting cocktail. The weather was phenomenal, and the beach, El Condado Beach, we went to was to die for. Not only was it a gorgeous beach, but hotels ran along the shore of the beach giving it both a day and night life.

The sand was pearly-white and warmed by the cascading sun rays giving our feet their own personal spa treatment. The water was clear blue and fairly still with minimal waves. The combination of the sun light glistening with the every ripple of waves made it look like and endless ocean of diamonds. However, it wasn’t the water, the sand, or the sun that made our arrival at the beach a “Kodak moment.” As we sat and enjoyed the scene of the water effects, a large rectangular shadow zoomed over our heads. Peter and I sat there flabbergasted as we traced the shadow back to a man on a surf-board like thing holding on to a handle with two sturdy ropes attaching it to a ginormous kite. The man surge rapidly over the water, and jumped doing a back-flip. When he finished, my friend, Peter went over to him and introduced himself; thus, the guy reciprocally introduced himself back as Carlos.

We learned from Carlos that the sport was called kite surfing, and I, also, learned that my friend eagerly wanted to try it out, and so he did. Therefore, Carlos told Peter to get used to holding on to the kite before learning how to maneuver the board. When Peter took the handle a big gust of wind send Peter and the kite into the water. It was the funniest thing ever, because he came out spitting out sand and salt water. He looked so confused, because he did not know what hit him. After that we called it a day and checked into the hotel, because we had to get ready to go out to one of the biggest festivals of Puerto Rico that night, Noche de San Juan.