Today is a good day to celebrate fresh water in Puerto Rico. Everyone loves the salt water from the ocean but once each year in July the town of Ciales celebrates the four rivers that run through town with artisans, parades and multiple events dedicated to agua dulce.
There is an annual 5K along with food vendors and live music.

Today in Puerto Rico you should plan to drive over to La Parguera tomorrow to witness a World Record attempt.

July 28
Guinness World Record Scuba Dive

A Guinness World Record Attempt for the "Oldest Married Couple to Scuba Dive" will be made for Puerto Rico on the morning of Thursday, 28 July 2016, with Paradise Divers in La Parguera, Puerto Rico and the support of the Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, and Sea Grant of Puerto Rico. The couple making the attempt, Drs. Lucy Bunkley-Williams and Ernest H.(Bert) Williams, are retired marine biologists (67 and 69 years old). They will make the dive in one of the best diving sites in Puerto Rico, off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico.
Where: La Parguera in Lajas.

The Festival of Saint James is an annual two week event in the town of Loiza. With her Spanish and African roots the event is always exciting. From the flavors of the foods to the cadence of the music it is sure to be a fun place to spend some time watching the local flair.

You can find colorful processions and parades, arts and crafts market with locally handcrafted jewelry and art along with spirited dancing to the myriad of local live musicians.

The Town usually also has “Carnaval” during this time. For 2016, the St James festival runs from Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 31.
The Carnaval will have lots of live music t the public plazas around town. This year from Friday 22- Monday 25th. The traditional Saint James festivities start on July 24 with the procession to St Patrick’s and a Mass and then on July 25 with a procession to the main public plaza to enjoy a celebration (usually at 12 noon).
The traditional correr el santos (march with the saints) will be on July 26 to 28. These processions start at various places along Road 187 (see map) at about 2 or 3pm and go to Saint Patrick’s Church/Plaza Recreo and then the next day, return from town back to the starting points. There is usually a Carnaval Parade through town on Sunday 31st, at 2pm. “The Fiesta en el Batey Ayala” is on the Sunday of the Festival week. For 2016, The Hermanos Ayala Bomba Fiesta will be July 24, at 12 noon-7pm at the Hermanos Ayala’s property. Bomba music and dancing, vijigante mask carving and a general street party!  Information from Puerto Rico Day Trips website.

Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo is a 45-acre zoo located in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. It is the only zoo on the island. It is named in honor of Juan A. Rivero, its first director.
Though this zoo doesn’t house a large number of animals, it does have a pretty good collection of different types of animals – from zebras to hippos, monkeys to giraffes, lions & tigers and a bear, and the obligatory elephant.
Allow 2-3 hours to see the entire zoo.

Address: Carretera 108 (interior), Mayagüez, 00680, Puerto Rico
Area: 45 acres
Opened: 1954
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Phone: +1 787-834-8110

      Horse Racing history in Puerto Rico dates back to 1882, when the first racetrack was constructed in the city of Ponce. Puerto Rico’s horse racing industry is rich in history, producing many horses and jockeys that have become local heroes. As time went by, a horse caught the attention of the horse racing industry worldwide. His name was Camarero, winner of 56 consecutive races, a world record established in the 50′s that still stands today recorded in the Guinness’ Book of Records.

There are other horses with outstanding performances both in Puerto Rico and the continental United States – Bold Forbes, who won the 1976 Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, ridden in both races by Angel Cordero Jr., the most famous Puerto Rican jockey; Mister Frisky, who started his career in Puerto Rico and headed with 16 straight winnings being the 1990 Kentucky Derby as the favorite.

In addition to Angel Cordero Jr., other well-known Puerto Rican jockeys worldwide are Eddie Belmonte (known to his fans as the "Golden Heart Eddie"), winner of the Preakness Stakes on Personality in 1970, and Miguel Rivera Vargas, who won the 1974 Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes with Little Current.

At present, John Velázquez, together with Willie Martínez, Norberto Arroyo, Roberto Alvarado, José Vélez, and Carlos Hiram Márquez, join the ranks of outstanding Puerto Rican jockeys in competition through out the United States.
With a history of more than 120 years, horse racing in Puerto Rico is rooted in our culture, in addition to significantly contributing to Puerto Rico’s economy.

Camarero Race Track Corporation looks into the future with great enthusiasm and is recognized as the most important horse racing venue of the Caribbean.

The Camarero Racetrack is located on Highway No. 3 , Kilometer 15.3 in the town of Canovanas, Puerto Rico, about twenty minutes in the direction of Luis Munoz Marin airport, half an hour from the capital of San Juan city. You can also reach our facilities through the PR66 highway and turn left at the junction that goes to Canovanas - Juncos .

The racetrack operator is Camarero Camarero Race Track Corporation, purely Puerto Rican origin , whose approach is based on the development of equestrian sport in Puerto Rico for competitive excellence of thoroughbreds copies and export of our products to international markets .

 I am a day late with this post but July 17 is a holiday here on the island as a remembrance of Don Luis Muñoz Rivera.

Don Luis Muñoz   Rivera was born July 17, 1859in Barranquitas and died November 15, 1916 in Santurce. He was a statesman, publisher and patriot who was devoted to the independence of Puerto Rico.

Initially he worked to free the island from the Spanish rule and later worked toward releasing them from US rule. In 1889 Muñoz Rivera founded the newspaper La Democracia, which crusaded for Puerto Rican self-government.

He became a leader of the autonomist parties, and in 1897 he was instrumental in obtaining Puerto Rico’s charter of home rule from Spain. He soon became secretary of state and later president of the first autonomist cabinet. He resigned in 1899 after the United States put an end to Puerto Rico’s short-lived home rule.

Spending the remainder of his life primarily in the United States, Muñoz Rivera continually advocated the cause of Puerto Rico’s autonomy. In 1910 he became Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner in Washington, D.C. Muñoz Rivera’s son Luis Muñoz Marín was governor of Puerto Rico from 1949 to 1965.

You will see reminders of this great Puerto Rican across the island even the airport is named after him.

Warm sunny days make yoga on the beach a very challenging option for a workout.

On the island of Culebra you will find Earth to Soul Yoga to be a great option for yoga on the beach. Class times are limited (see below) so plan ahead.

• Culebra Library Deck, 00775 Culebra, Puerto Rico
• Hours:  Mon-Tues:08:15 - 09:30    Fri:08:15 - 09:30
• Earth to Soul Yoga offers mainly Jivamukti style yoga, a rigorous vinyasa practice that incorporates meditation and spiritual teachings. Classes are open to students of all levels.
  



• Class Schedule:
  
  Monday, Tuesday, Friday 8:15am-9:30am
  
  Wednesday 5:00pm-6:30pm
  
  Class specifics will be posted on Facebook.
  
  
  Class Descriptions:
  
  Basic Class- 1.5hr- Each Jivamukti Basic class is part of a four-week fundamentals course that explores a different theme each week:
  week one: standing asanas
  week two: forward bending asanas
  week three: backward bending asanas
  week four: inversions, meditation and "putting it all together."
  This class is suitable for beginners, but open to all levels of practitioner.
  
  Open Class-1.5hr- You work at your own pace, following the teacher's verbal as well as hands-on guidance. Asana options will be provided for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. An Open class presents classical yoga teachings as relevant to one’s life on and off the mat, drawn from the Focus of the Month essay, supported by chanting, breath awareness, flowing vinyasa sequences, alignment exploration, hands-on assistance, relaxation and meditation.
  
  Class instructor: Emma Goldmark is a 800 hour Certified Jivamukti Instructor. She studied under Yogeswari, Patrick Boone, Sharon Gannon, and David Life in Germany. She recently completed a 500 hour apprenticeship with Jessica Stickler in the Jivamukti Yoga School in New York City.
  
  Pricing:
  Drop-in/Single Class: $15
  Vacation Pass: 3 classes $40 (expires after 1 month)
  10-class Card: $100 (expires at the end of the season)
  
  Private Classes Available (in studio or in home):
  ***Cash Only***
• Phone number    (609) 408-8045
• Email address  EarthToSoulYoga@gmail.com

Another great day on the island......maybe a good day to plan for an ATV trail ride-- an experience to be remembered at Hacienda Campo Rico. The site is open Monday through Friday and you must call ahead for reservations.

• The area is beautiful and encompasses about 2200 acres with a 4-wheeler track for a terrific ride through karst country including a trip into the cave system.
• The ATV tours are 2-hours long and are offered at 9am, 12pm and 3pm, though they may be able to be flexible to fit your schedule — call to inquire.
• Reservations are required, so call ahead of time. They accept cash and credit cards, though you will need a credit card to make your reservation.
• Drivers must be 16 years old and in possession of a valid driver license. Riders have to be at least 8 years old. Drivers and riders can switch roles (ages permitting) during mid-tour.
• They have 10 ATVs, so the maximum group size is 20 people (10 drivers and 10 riders).
• The tour takes 2 hours, but allow some extra time before and after the tour.
• You can call them at 787-629-0222 for more information or to make a reservation.
• You can visit the Campo Rico Trail Rides ATV Tour web site for more information.

If you are looking for a fun and exciting way to create memories during your trip to Puerto Rico, or if you are a resident of the island and just need a break from the ordinary, Campo Rico Trail Rides in Carolina is the place to visit. Located within minutes of Old San Juan and the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.

Your chance to experience the Puerto Rico countryside is waiting for you. We cater to anyone from individuals to large groups.

Also note that Hacienda Campo Rico offers a variety of entertainment from wedding planning to zip-lining they can do it all--just ask.

GPS COORDINATES:  18.419194,-65.953881

Another day of sun with scattered showers across the island.

The National Artisan Fair of Barranquitas takes place July 15-17, 2016. This annual event brings together local artsians from around the island of Puerto Rico. Up to 200 local craftsmen and artisans will take part in this years festival with craft workshops for children and adults taking place through out the event.
The National Artisan Fair of Barranquitas dates back to 1959 when the first artisan fair took place to mark the centenary of the birth of local barranquiteño hero Don Luis Muñoz Rivera. At that time there was only a single kiosks where local craftsman displayed their creations. The following years fair saw even more artisans taking part and in 1961 the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture announced the first National Fair of Handicrafts in Barranquitas. Since then the fair has grown in popularity, not only with local artisans, but in the variety of cultural activities that occur during the event.
As usual here in Puerto Rico along with the local crafts, there will be music and food available each day.

87 degrees and almost the weekend make this a good day to shop! No not at the mall---head over to San Sebastian to the Mercado in the morning and stock up on fresh veggies, fruits, cheeses and meat for the weekend. All the offerings are grown locally and are fresh and well priced.

  San Sebastian Agricultural Market--open every Friday
Where: Agropecuaria Plaza, San Sebastian
Phone: 787-896-1670