Sunday, July 23:

Well a jolly good morning it is!  I woke up around 6AM, as its pretty sunny by that time.  Thankfully, the rooster has
not returned!  I think we were all still a little tired from the previous day's events, but in order to cut off a day of
additional stay at our next destination, we got an early start.

Today, our goal is to reach Ponce, where Willy's mom and dad live.  (We've been staying with Gladys' mom and her
relatives in San Sebastian.)  This is quite a distance from where we are now, so we have a few sight-seeing places to
stop by on our way.  Ponce was named after Ponce de Leon, the Spanish sailor.

We first stopped by La Cruceta del Vigia, which has a history of being a lookout for ships that were approaching the
island.  There were
certain flags that were approved countries of ship origin that were allowed to land on the island.  If they were not
approved, a white flag was flown to indicate pirates.  This place can be seen for quite a large area, and has a good
view of the sea.  There currently is a large cross erected on the site, of which you can go inside, and up into the
cross-section area, and see the view.

Across the way there was a Japanese garden, which had some pretty plants and interesting shapes.  We messed around a bit
here, as you will see in the pictures.

Next, we went to the Serralles Castle.  This was a home built in 1930 by a very rich family that had come from Spain.
The owner had
spared no expense to have this place designed and built by the best.  We saw a little video, then toured the place.
They were all fully wired for electricity and a telephone intercom system, full refrigeration, sewing machine, and
many other amenities that were brand new for its time.

We then went to see the Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes.  In fact, they were just closing the gates after we
arrived, so go there
just in time!  This garden had all sorts of different trees that I found later had been imported for this tourist
attraction.  Our guide was quite an interesting character, telling us all about the medicinal uses of the various trees
present and their fruits, as well as history on the people that once lived there.

It was time for dinner, so we went to Mr & Mrs. Irizarry's house.  They have a very nice place, and we had a fine meal
there.  Willy's parents love to play Dominoes, and finally, it was time for a re-match.  You see, a year or so ago, his
parents came to Rochester, and Willy and I played against his mom and dad.  We won!  His dad is a very sharp player, and
 Willy made a big deal about his father being beat by a "gringo"!  We once again played a game, and Willy and I utterly
defeated him.... Insulted in his own place! hehe.  We had a lot of fun.

After dinner and some conversation, we went into the city to visit the "Boardwalk" - an area with shops and live
music... very loud, I might add.  This was obviously one of the main "night life" type events.  There was a tower that
you could walk to the top and see the whole place.  Got some food (mostly desserts), and looked around.  The band had a
bit more variety of music than the wedding reception band - they were doing a mix of salsa, rumba, and merengue.  Not
wanting to waste an opportunity, I grabbed Patty by the hand, and we danced a few tunes.  Willy's friend Tuti, who had
joined us this day was showing Willy and I some steps for another type of dance.  Even Scotty got in on some of the fun,
as you'll see in the pics.

Went home around 10PM, and found that I was staying with a relative that was about 15 minutes away from Mr. Irizarry's
house.  She had a spare studio apartment, where I stayed.  Loida, Patty, and Gladys slept in the Irizarry home, Willy
and Isaac slept on couches.  Scott and Elaine were at Sarita's house, Willy's cousin.  It was a bit hotter here, but hot
is still hot.  I got to
bed a bit after 11, as I was talking for a while.  Willy says this place is hotter and more humid, but it still seems to
be just plain hot.  This little nice room was still hot, but after a nice shower, I was ready for bed!