Back to the Marriott San Juan to Cover the World's Best 10K

This Friday I head back to San Juan to cover the World’s Best 10K race, I will not be running but attending the race and all the big events. While the runners are losing weight I will be packing it on as I also plan on checking out local foods and the resurgence of Puerto Rico’s coffee industry. Pulpo, Mero and Pasteles will be downed in quantity.

Another big plus is my return to the Marriott Stellaris, where I stayed when on my adventure trip last visit. The place was fabulous with their super rooms and Island feel. Morning wake up will be a dip in the vodka clear water and I suppose my days will end that way also.

Puerto Rico Adventure with Karen Schaler and ABC News

I got an email today from my mojito drinking buddy Karen Schaler with a link to one of her latest articles on ABC News.com. Mine is posted on GoNOMAD and has a link to a radio show I did about the trip. She used a picture of me strapping into my zip line on a recent adventure trip to Puerto Rico. While certainly not model material the excitement on my face is very evident. Karen has quite a career in the traveling world including a stint as an embedded war correspondent in Afghanistan and articles in the New Yorker, Boston Globe and Town & Country. Karen is a long legged, vivacious blond and I have to smile when I think of her in battle gear crawling through the sand and her camera crew trying to keep up with her. She is equally remarkable in cocktail dress and heels.

I think one of the reasons I love what I do is meeting some of the most interesting people on the planet. To do that in some of the most incredible places on the planet is sheer delight. The bonding done while traveling is so intensive that the good and bad aspects are blatantly laid out in short fashion. In fact the diversity of personalities in itself would be reason enough to take up a pen (computer) and hit the road. If you are in need of therapy check out Karen’s website Travel Therapy, it just might set you straight.

The Food of Puerto Rico

In preparation for tomorrows radio show and my segment on Puerto Rico I came across my notes on food, a topic I personally love. I once owned restaurant years ago and my interest in foods from around the world has grown ever since. Here are some of my favorite PR dishes:

Piononos- Ground beef and plantains
Fricase-A dish made with stewed chicken or goat
Bacalo a la Viscaino- Codfish stewed in a rich tomato sauce

A mandatory dessert is the Flan and drink of choice is anything with rum. Checkout Around the World Travel Radio archives for more about Puerto Rico.

Around the World Radio, Puerto Rico Adventures

Some places just fool you, Puerto Rico did me. I expected a mini Miami and got some great adventure, far from the emerald ocean and deep into the interior. That is what my gig on Around the World Radio will be about this Thursday when I call in my report. I am really not the type that likes lingering on a sandy beach and that wasn’t a problem in PR. While there I hiked through the dense forests and up the Tanama River, many parts through caves filled with bats. Rappelling down cliffs was new for me and a thrill, cannot wait to do some more. For the last twelve years that has been my day in the office, some place new and new adventures.

This trip was a perfect blend for me, rough days and luxury nights at a place like the Marriott on Condado Beach, complete with a balcony overlooking the ocean. Old San Juan was a pleasant place to explore before heading deep into the Yanque Rainforest on an ATV. Better yet is my chance to share my experiences, I get to relive them that way. Around the World Radio now just doesn’t air on ten stations in California and thirty in Australia, the archives can be heard on its website. So if you have some free time click on and head to PR with me. Checkout Max’s latest segment on Elba and Tuscany, another day in the office for us, take a break from your day.

Adventures in Puerto Rico Isn't Just Beaches and Coladas

Having a narrow view point will affect your traveling. Plain and simple things are not always what they seem. I am sure that most people assume that Puerto Rico is just another island where catching rays and sipping coladas is the peak activity. They couldn’t be further from the reality. The adventure opportunities are absolutely amazing and hands on. High in limestone mountains are hundreds of miles of caves that sometimes get you feeling claustrophobic. Climbing through them can be treacherous and the lamps on your helmet aren’t for show. In the heat wading through a rushing river becomes a necessity as your feet struggle for footing. Rappelling down a sheer drop attached only by a rope and harness while paisley colored butterflies float past is an experience that I will never forget and can only hope to repeat.

Many are probably unaware that the Island is saturated with culture, discovering an ancient Tiano petroglyph while caving is mind blowing. Influences from the Tianos through the Spanish and into modern days are vivid and rampant. Sitting in San Juan’s old city is historically stimulating, even better over a dish of Chuchifrito (pork innards stew) with a cold Medalla. Sitting on a sandy beach with a colada is easily done in PR, its just better after you’ve opened your eyes to the possibilities. For the last forty years I have flown through San Juan’s Airport countless times. My biggest discovery is to layover and open up my viewpoint!

Exploring The El Yanque Rainforest

To end our adventures in PR we went to Hacienda Carabali for some ATV riding, another first for me. We skirted the magnificent El Yunque Rainforest and lounged by the Mameyes River. The scenery was wonderful and the riding challenging.

Just as wonderful are the surprise refreshments waiting for us in our rooms at the San Juan Marriott.Last night a bottle of the best Sangria was in an ice bucket and waiting. If you ever visit PR look for Zavala Sangria simply marvelous!

Old San Juan, a New Love

I love when I am pleasantly surprised about a place and Puerto Rico fits the bill in spades. I expected to like the island, I love this place. Instead of a smaller clone of Miami, I saw a place that vibrates with class and culture. Old San Juan is stunning and well worth spending some time in.We had lunch at a place called Raices (Roots) that features local grub. The dishes were a perfect example of Puerto Rico's blending, native, Spanish and contemporary.

Puerto Rico for Adventure

Hurricane Dean missed Puerto Rico so tomorrow I head down for a visit. Most visitors head down for resort and casino activities, not in my case. This trip is all about adventure and the great outdoors. Day one begins with a visit to the Rio Tanama in the Karst region with its limestone hills and caves. The hike will be through the valley wading through the river and end caving. If that wasn’t enough we then will do some rappelling and zip line action high above the river after lunch at the Perez Family’s Organic Tanama.

That’s only day one and I am glad I got some hiking and biking action in Germany, Austria and Switzerland earlier this month, looks like I will need it! Of course the nights will be a different story; I will be bunking at the newly renovated Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino in San Juan. Another plus will be hooking up with Peter Mandel; we last traveled up the coast of Norway together enjoying the aurora burials.