Stars, Magic and Pina Colada

With its luminous bays, adventurous streets and delightful folks, Puerto Rico is a land with romance and surprises lurking in every corner

This was the first time that I set out to explore a place like Puerto Rico. My excitement began from the moment I sat in the airplane — served blue potato chips while being treated to ever so many stories about the place, the people and the food.

My first destination, once I landed, was a place that not too many people know about, and that I was introduced to by a friend — the Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo. There are only three bioluminescent bays left in the world at the moment, I believe, because of human intrusion.

We drove down from the airport to reach at a time when there was a roughly 55 pe cent glow — luckily for us! I must admit that I was a little afraid when I sat in the kayak and saw that the approach we would be taking to get to the open bay was through the groves� the sun was going down and we would have to come back in the dark. But once we were in motion and came out into the bay, we were met by what was truly the most magical, mystical sight I had ever beheld in my life.

Those 60 minutes cannot be replaced by anything in my memory. What my eyes saw and the rest of my senses experienced is something neither pictures nor words can communicate. You have to experience it for yourself to know what it feels like. And it is, truly, an experience of a lifetime. There were so many stars, and I watched them moving, walking above me� the guide had an application that he used to tell us which exact star was moving and how. That same night, incidentally, the International Space Station passed above us and we saw that too!

While we were still soaking in all of this, they pulled together all 20 kayaks that were there and covered us with a huge cloth, asking us to place our fists inside and see what happens. When I did, my fist turned a fluorescent blue! I couldn’t believe it! They explained that the glow in the water as well as now on my fist came from microorganisms that take light from the sun all day and then glow in the night. So basically, my hands were alive, the water was alive� and it was absolutely magical. I could go on about it forever.

While Bio Bay was where adventure can be expected because of what it is, Puerto Rico can give you slices of excitement in the most unexpected places too. On one of the afternoons while I was there, I finished a delicious brunch and sat under a tree to unwind, only to watch, stunned, as a huge family of pet iguanas came walking down the road! There is adventure everywhere, of all kinds, shapes and sizes. A similar vibe greeted me when I made my way to old San Juan — the country’s festive cultural capital with its signature blend of rich history and contemporary, colourful architecture.

You must remember that you have to walk when in San Juan. Buses, taxis or any other moving vehicle will just not do if you want to experience this gorgeous place. The sky is blue, the sea is bluer, the clouds are cotton-white, ships are constantly coming into and leaving the port, there are colonial structures as well as old forts, rows of vibrantly hued houses and then there are the people.

The people of Puerto Rico are so warm and friendly, and such a joy to be around! I took a boat ride one night, with lots of people dancing and doing karaoke in the moonlight. I danced with so many people I didn’t know, sang karaoke with a gorgeous 60-year-old lady and just accumulated so many little moments that made for such big memories that will last me a lifetime! It was also from one of these people that I learnt that the Pina Colada, my most favourite drink in the whole wide world, was invented in Puerto Rico! To sum it up, Puerto Rico is adventure, emotion, fun, joy and definitely merits at least one visit for the experience of a lifetime.

As told to Nandini D. Tripathy Aashka is an onscreen actor and off screen world wanderer