El Dia De Los Reyes (Three Kings Day) In Puerto Rico

Three Kings Day In Puerto Rico

                                                                                     
El Dia De Los Reyes (Three Kings Day) is a Holiday in Puerto Rico.  El Dia De Los Reyes is on January 6, and celebrates the day when a group of Kings arrived to worship and bring three gifts to baby Jesus, after following a star in the sky.  The three Kings: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, arrived on camels, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus.


There are many celebrations in Puerto Rico on this holiday.  The Three Kings Day is equally as important as Christmas Day.  Children receive presents on both days: Christmas and El Dia De Los                       
Reyes.  In Puerto Rico on the Eve of Three Kings Day,
it is a tradition for the children to take a shoe box,
fill it with grass, put water in a glass, and place it
under the bed.  The three Kings will drink the
water, and then take the grass to feed the camels.
In return, The three Kings will leave gifts under the
bed.


Puerto Ricans spend this holiday with family and
friends, and is customary to take a day trip to enjoy
the countryside.  In San Juan there are many
celebrations with food, live music, and dancing.
Also, every year the Governor of Puerto Rico
opens his residence, the governor's mansion
called La Fortaleza, to the public, as part
of the El Dia De Los Reyes festivities.


If you are in Puerto Rico during El Dia De Los Reyes,
make sure to join in the celebration. 


Take a look at this video with the traditional music of the holidays.  The song is about a little child riding on his donkey, on his way to Bethlehem to see baby Jesus.

How To Make Coquito (Eggnog): The Christmas Drink In Puerto Rico

Ingredients to make Coquito

Coquito (Eggnog) is a Christmas Holiday staple in Puerto Rico.  Coquito is the drink of choice for Puerto Ricans during the Holidays.  Go to any party in Puerto Rico during the holidays, and the Coquito drink will be there.  If you are giving a party your guests will ask, where is the Coquito?  Learn how to make Coquito. 

Here is the recipe to make Coquito.  This recipe is quick, easy, and has less fat and calories without sacrificing taste.

1 bottle of Bacardi white rum (750 liters)
2-15 oz cans canned cream of coconut
2-12 oz cans fat free evaporated milk
2-14 oz Eagle fat free condensed milk
1-1/2 cups of Eggbeaters regular egg substitute
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pinch of salt
cinnamon to taste

Mix egg substitute with evaporated milk in blender.
When blender is full, pour contents into large bowl
and continue blending.
Continue adding and blending ingredients, except
for cinnamon, salt and vanilla.

When all the ingredients are well mixed and in
large bowl, stir in vanilla and pinch of salt.
Sprinkle with cinnamon to taste and stir until well
mixed.

Use funnel to pour into 4-5 clean glass liquor or
wine bottles.  Do not use plastic bottles.  Do not
fill all the way to the top as you must shake well
before serving.

Store in the refrigerator and serve cold in liquor
glasses.

Salud! 

Have you had Coquito?  Please leave
your comments...

Coquito

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Christmas In Puerto Rico

Christmas in Puerto Rico is celebrated like no other place in the world.  The Christmas season in Puerto Rico is long.  The Christmas celebration starts right after Thanksgiving and continues through the mid of January, a long and delightful party time.  Christmas day, New Years, and Three Kings Day on January 6, are all Holidays.  The Holidays in Puerto Rico are spent with family and friends, and there is always a party almost every day, either at a friends house, relatives, or at work.


There are many events during Christmas time in Puerto Rico: Festivals, boat parades, and New Year's Eve party celebrations.  Most of the big parties are held at the hotels, such as the New Year's Eve party.  Puerto Ricans come out dress to impress, and to party all night long.  Smaller parties are held at relatives and friends homes.


Food is an important element during  the Christmas Holidays in Puerto Rico.  Some of the typical dishes this time of the year are: Arroz con gandules, pasteles and lechon ( pork).  Puerto Ricans go to the countryside to eat pork roasted on a spit, it is very popular on January 6 ( Three Kings Day). The Holiday of January 6,  (El Dia de Los Reyes) is as important as Christmas Day.  Children receive gifts on both days, on December 25th the gifts come from Santa, and on January 6, they come from the Three Kings.


Aguinaldos (carols) are the custom sounds this time of the year in the island.  Puerto Ricans get together to sing and dance.  A typical custom, but not practiced very much these days, are the parrandas or asaltos.  It is like Christmas caroling, but with an edge.  The custom here, is to go to a relative or a friends house after midnight ( or wait until they have gone to sleep), with a group of people and musical instruments, to sing and wake them up.  After your parranda or group has been let in the house, there is more singing and dancing, and then the recipients of the parranda joins the group, and they all go along to another house to deliver another parranda.  This can go on all night long!


Now, you may be asking, don't Puerto Ricans have to go to work in between all these celebrations?  Yes, people still have to work, but work takes a back seat during this time of the year.  If you want to experience the Christmas Holidays like you have not experienced them before, head over to Puerto Rico.  The weather is great, the people are happy, the beaches are inviting, and you will participate in a very festive time: Feliz Navidad in Puerto Rico.


Take a look at this YouTube video with the sounds and images of Christmas in Puerto Rico:







Please leave your comments......


                                                                                                                

Top Four Things Not To Do While Visiting Puerto Rico

Top four things not to do while visiting Puerto Rico:

Only Visit San Juan -  There are many places to visit beyond San Juan.  Make sure to explore other areas of Puerto Rico.  Discover other towns like Rincon, Patillas, and the islands of Culebra and Vieques.

Eating Only Foods Your Familiar With -  Have a taste of the typical foods of the island.  Try fritters like Alcapurrias and Bacalaitos.

Leaving Common Sense At Home -  Although you are on vacation mode, do not forget your street smarts.  No matter where you travel in the world, safety comes first.

Being Impatient -  Keep an open mind, the island of Puerto Rico is on "Caribbean" time.  Life in Puerto Rico, runs at a slower pace.  In Puerto Rico is not all about work, but appreciating life, family, and friends.

Go ahead, enjoy Puerto Rico to the fullest, and discover why Puerto Rico Is The Place...

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Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

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Sunset in Puerto Rico

Fritters: A Must Try In Puerto Rico

When visiting Puerto Rico, have a taste of the local fritters (cuchifritos).  Some of the popular ones are:

Alcapurrias

Sorullos de Maiz

Bacalaitos

• Alcapurrias - Made with yuca, green bananas, crabmeat or ground beef, and deep fried in oil.
  
  
  
• Sorullos de Maiz (corn sticks) - Made with corn and deep fried.
  
  
  
• Bacalaitos -  Made with codfish, flour, water or beer, sofrito, herbs and deep fried.
  
  
  
  Vendors sell these fritters at street side stands or kiosks (kioscos) throughout Puerto Rico.  A favorite place with locals and tourist to eat the fritters, is Pinones Beach.  Pinones, is east of Isla Verde and during the day is when everything is open.  You will find many kiosks (kioscos) where you can eat, and see them preparing, Alcapurrias, Bacalaitos and many more.
  
  
  
  Enjoy a fritter by the beach, but you are warned, you will be drooling to have more...... 
  
  
  
                          
  
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Beautiful People In Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico makes the list of cities for having the most attractive people.  Take a look at Travel + Leisure's : America's Favorite Cities survey.


http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-most-and-least-attractive-people/5

Top Five Things That Let You Know You Are In Puerto Rico

You know you are in Puerto Rico, when you experience the following:

•  You hear the sound of El Coqui -  El Coqui is the native frog with its distinctive sound.
  
•  Everyone is in a festive mood -  Puerto Ricans are very friendly and are always ready to start a party.  

•  The stores are always busy  - No matter what time or day, the stores are always packed with people.
  
•  People honk their car horns  - Puerto Ricans like to honk their car horns for no particular reason.
   
    Last but not least.....

•  When the plane is landing in Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican passengers spontaneously applaud. 
  
  
     
  
                               
  
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La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Airlines Add Routes To Puerto Rico

JetBlue and British Airways are expanding their routes to the island of Puerto Rico.  JetBlue is starting a new route nonstop service from Jacksonville, Florida to San Juan, Puerto Rico and it goes on sale at the end of this month. British Airways is launching a new route from London Gatwick Airport to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and will start operating summer 2011, flights are on sale now.

This is great news for travelers who want more options of flights to Puerto Rico.  Hopefully, more options will translate to cheaper fares.


                                                                     

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Dish of Puerto Rico: How To Make Chicken Fricassee

Ingredients for Chicken Fricassee

A popular and tasty dish in Puerto Rico, Chicken Fricassee (Pollo Guisado), made with a healthy recipe.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 pounds of skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs.  Cut breasts in halves or thirds, depending on the size.
Salt
Garlic Powder

Pam Spray (Olive Oil)
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1/4 cup water

3-4 Tablespoons of prepared Goya "Sofrito" *
1 envelope Goya Sazon  with cilantro and achiote *
1-8 oz. can tomato sauce
1-2 Knorr chicken broth cubes
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1-2 dashes of cayenne pepper
1-2 bay leaves

1/2 cup red wine (optional)
1/2 cup water, if needed **

Wash chicken pieces and season with salt and garlic powder, to taste.
Set aside.

Spay the bottom and sides of a  4-quart microwaveable pot, with Pam spray.  Add the potatoes and 1/4 cup of water to pot.  Cook, covered for 5 minutes on High.  Rearrange and turn potatoes, and continue cooking an additional  4 minutes on High.  Let stand for 3-4 minutes.

Add all the ingredients to the potatoes, except for chicken, wine, water and salt.  Stir the ingredients and cook, covered, for 3 minutes on High.

Add the chicken and wine to pot and stir well, making sure to coat chicken with the sauce.  At this time, you should taste for salt and add any, if needed.  If sauce is to thick, add some additional water.  Cook for 20 minutes on High.  At the end of that time make sure chicken and potatoes are done.  If needed, cook an additional five minutes 5 minutes on Medium-High.

Let stand for 3-4 minutes before serving.

* Available at most Hispanic supermarkets.
**If wine is not used, you need to add 3/4 to 1 cup of water.



  


Chicken Fricassee

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Puerto Rico In The 1950's

In this video from the Prelinger Archives, we get to see how Puerto Rico was in 1955.


http://www.archive.org/details/Reporton1955



In this video, also from the Prelinger Archives, we get to see a commercial for Westinghouse, and winning a trip to Puerto Rico.


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Hotels In Puerto Rico Receive Nominations For The World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards nominated a number of hotels and a beach place in Puerto Rico.  The 2010 nominees for the 17th World Travel Awards, voted by travel agents worldwide, are:

• Caribbean's Leading Beach  -  Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico. 
   
   
• Caribbean's Leading Boutique Hotel  -  Horned Dorset Primavera Hotel,
                                                                     Puerto Rico.
  
   
• Caribbean's Leading Boutique Resort  -  Horned Dorset Primavera Hotel,
                                                                       Puerto Rico.
  
   
• Caribbean's Leading Casino Resort  -  El San Juan Hotel & Casino,
                                                                   Puerto Rico.
  
  
• Caribbean's Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel  -  El Conquistador Resort &
                                                                                                     Golden Door Spa,
                                                                                                     Puerto Rico.                                                                                   
                                                                                                     Ritz-Carlton San Juan
                                                                                                     Hotel, Spa & Casino,
                                                                                                     San Juan, Puerto Rico.
                                                                                                    
                                                                                                    
                                                                                          
                                                                                  
                                                                                   
  
  Congratulations to all the nominees.
  
  The World Travel Awards recognizes excellence in the most important aspect of travel and tourism, the quality of the customers experience. 
  
  
  
  
                                                           
  

  
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Rincon, Puerto Rico A Surfers Destination

Rincon is a town in Puerto Rico, that is popular with surfers.  Rincon is located in the West Coast of Puerto Rico, about 2 hours from San Juan.  Rincon, is the place with the best surfing beaches in Puerto Rico, including Marias Beach, Sandy Beach, Tres Palmas Beach, Domes Beach, Pools Beach, and Rincon Town Beach Plaza.


Rincon, Puerto Rico, is known around the world for its surfing beaches.  Surfers have been visiting Rincon looking for the perfect wave, since The World Surfing Championship was held in Domes Beach, in 1968.  Rincon is dubbed "The Caribbean Pipeline," and is regarded as one of the best surf spots around the world.  Winter waves can reach 25 feet in height, similar to the surf in the north shore of Oahu.  Many surfing competitions take place in Rincon.  One of them, The Rip Curl Pro Search, the world's most exciting professional surfing contest, will take place in Rincon, October 30 to November 10, 2010.  This event will feature the best male and female surfers from around the world in search for the perfect wave.


Rincon has a strong tourism economy.  In addition to surfing, and surfing championships, other attractions include:

• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Many options available in Rincon.
  
  
• Desecheo Island National Wildlife Refuge: The island is located 14 miles from the coast, is not open to visitors, but scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing are allowed around the island.
  
  
• Rincon Lighthouse: Recreation park and a great location where you can see Desecheo Island National Wildlife Refuge.
  
  
• Whale Watching: Whales can be spotted between December and March.
  
  
  
  
                        
  

  
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Hollywood Of The Caribbean, Is In The Future For San Juan, Puerto Rico

With the investment of a 57 million film studio, Puerto Rico is on its way of  becoming the Hollywood of the Caribbean.  The studio, to be located in the metropolitan area of San Juan, will have about 360,000 square feet. 

Puerto Rico wants to transform the island into a prime destination for film production, and be able to compete with other film production studios around the world.

Promoting the island as a film production destination has payed off for Puerto Rico. This year alone at least a dozen films have been filmed in Puerto Rico: Pirates Of The Caribbean 4, Fast Five, and The Losers, among others.  Filming in Puerto Rico has provided numerous jobs in the industry, from makeup artists to sound engineers.  The variety of  film locations in the island, has made Puerto Rico a  favorite destination for film production in the Caribbean, but the lack of available film studios, have resulted in some production companies having to find other locations.

A few weeks ago, it was reported that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were interested in investing in a film studio on the island.  This story has not been confirmed.

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Top Five Reasons To Visit Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico



• Attractions:
  
  There are many places to visit and things to do in Puerto Rico.  Compared to other islands in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico has a lot to offer.  From the majestic forts of  Old San Juan, to the El Yunque Rain Forest, a vacation in Puerto Rico is not just about taking in the sun and relaxing at the beach.  When planning your trip, make sure to give yourself enough time to explore beyond San Juan, to other towns in Puerto Rico, and the islands off the coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques
  
   
• Culture:
  
  Puerto Rico has a rich culture that centers around music.  Music is very important to the island, from typical music like Bomba y Plena, to Salsa and Merengue music.  Puerto Ricans are always ready for a party and music and dancing play a big part in their daily lives.  The Coqui, a small frog, is the unofficial animal of Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rican cuisine was influenced by the Spanish, African and Indian inhabitants of the island.  Puerto Rican dishes are seasoned with a combination of spices.
  
  
  
• Beaches:
  
  Puerto Rico has many beaches.  From secluded to popular beaches, visitors can have their choice of beaches facing the Atlantic or the Caribbean.  The beaches of the town of Rincon, are known worldwide for its surfing, and Flamenco Beach in Culebra, is considered one of the World's top beaches.  If your idea of a vacation is the sun and beach, Puerto Rico is the place for you.
  
  
  
• Weather:
  
  Puerto Rico is in the tropics and the weather is always nice.  Even when it rains, it is warm.  The temperature averages  80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Many visitors come to the island to escape the cold weather back home and chase the sunshine in Puerto Rico. 
  
  
  
• No passport required:
  
  Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States and all Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.  There is no passport required for visitors who are U.S. citizens, however visitors continuing their journey to other parts of the Caribbean will need their U.S. passports. 
  
  
  

Garita, El Morro, Puerto Rico



Garita at fort San Felipe del Morro at sunset.

                      
                                                                  

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