My postcard home from Casa Flamboyan

by Nola
(Canada)

We are having a very successful holiday in Vieques. It is better than I had imagined. You wanted to know my usual routine here……

Even though there is an air conditioner in my room I prefer to use the panama fan all night. The movement of the air overhead is cooling and I love to awaken to the sounds of the tropics and neighborhood.

Still in pajamas we have our coffee or tea on the covered porch enjoying the occasional horse and rider heading off to start their day. We pull on our bathing suits and runners, hats and sunglasses and head off to La Lanchita beach. There are chickens, horses, children and neighbors to see as we walk along the quiet, shady road. We often have the beach to ourselves as we enjoy the first swim of the day. I have been lucky finding shells here so I always wear my mask or my goggles as I swim around the reef.

When we get back to the casa there is a convenient tap and line where I rinse the gear in fresh water and hang up the suits in the shade. We all have showers put on some cool clothes and eat our breakfast back on the porch. I enjoy the the deep yellow flowers in the planters surrounding the porch. Clean up is easy in the well stocked, efficient kitchen & then iff to town for a few groceries and fresh vegetables and fruit.

After lunch on the porch we pack up the car with the beach chairs, snorkeling gear, towels and umbrella (all provided by the casa) and head to one of the many beaches. We like to visit a different beach every afternoon. I don’t have a favourite. Each beach has its own unique charm.

When we get home the aroma of our dinner, which has been simmering in the slow cooker all afternoon, means that supper will be ready in a few minutes after we toss together a salad and slice some roadside mangos for dessert. We head to the roof top patio and enjoy our well chilled beverages as we watch the sunset sitting in the lounge chairs. Often we bring dinner upstairs and use the built in bar for a table and enjoy dinner with cool breezes and twinkling stars and lights from the big island. The view is very peaceful. I especially enjoy the beauty of the Flamboyan trees in bloom.

Later we sit under the panama fan on the porch and play a few card games before turning in. I have found some great holiday reading in the casa’s selection of books. But soon I turn out the lamp and let the tropical sounds lull be into a sound sleep, satisfied that staying in Casa Flamboyan has enabled me to have a Vieques vacation with a score of 10/10.

I am already looking forward to my next visit!!

Wish you were all here!!
Love,
Nola