Beach Week Continued... Gran Melia Puerto Rico

I didn’t get a chance to finish “Beach Week” last week so I’ll finish over the next few days. Last January we spent a long weekend at a resort in Puerto Rico called the Gran Melia. Part of the property is a private beach for vacationers to enjoy. I don’t want to sound snooty or elitist, but it is very nice to take a stroll along the beach at night or in the early morning twilight in Puerto Rico and not worry about getting jumped from behind a palm tree. I’m sure I could not say this about all the beaches there. The cleanliness of the beach area in the resort was impeccable.
All weekend long, peaceful waves lapped upon the beach and cool breezes drifted by. As the shade from the palm trees softened the midday sun, I decided that this may be my favorite beach... so far...

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28mm f/16 ISO 100 

Sunrise in Puerto Rico

Events beyond my control have everything to do with the sunrise. The first two mornings in Puerto Rico the first morning light was hidden greatly by clouds rolling in from the South. The third day the sun was strong enough to poke through and provide a radiant display. Wind was blustery this morning as you can see by the palm trees and the distortion in the clouds. The camera’s shutter was open for eight seconds to give the proper exposure, so with strong winds the clouds had ample time to fly through the picture. Pictures like this make the pre dawn wakeup call worthwhile.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 @ 28mm f/10 ISO 100 8 sec ​

“Beware Paradise”

Beware Paradise (1 of 1).jpg

That was the sign on the plate glass balcony door of our suite in Puerto Rico.  The irony of the warning seemed almost comical.  Why beware such a beautiful respite? Our view stretched across the Northeast end of our lodging, the Gran Melia Golf Resort, out to the Atlantic Ocean.  Deep rich greens in the leaves of the palm trees gave our Winter weary eyes something new to gaze at.  Branches swayed in the gentle breeze that cooled the heat of the midday sun, and made a faint whisssssping noise as the palm leaves fluttered against each other. The surf from the distant reef was barely audible, but soothing in its drone.  The mildly humid air was a nice change from the arid and cold winds we left behind us in Philadelphia; the scent was fresh with a little touch of saltiness.  

Then it came to me. The thought I had been warned about on the door. I would have to leave this place, and I could have stayed forever. My senses, still peaked from the tactile pleasures surrounding me, shuttered in the realization that my station was but temporary.  Beware Paradise indeed!

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 45mm f/10 ISO 100 1/4 sec

Coming next week...

Beginning Monday, I will be starting a short segment covering a recent trip to Puerto Rico, taken back in January. Since Winter is (hopefully) winding down, I thought it would be nice to get everyone excited about the upcoming good times. Fun moments soaking in the sun, relaxing in the sand, and frolicking in the ocean are just around the corner. Retrieving some much needed vitamin D is on my high priority list for Spring and I can’t wait to get started. So enjoy a little glimpse at the gently warming rays, the refreshing water, and the tropical palm trees.

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 62mm f/14 ISO 100 1/1000 sec

February 2013 Free Calendar

Taking a little break from our tour of Sedona, which will continue tomorrow, I give you your desktop calendar for February. The picture was taken on a recent trip to Puerto Rico in mid January. Temperatures were mild in the evening and pleasantly hot during the day. Sitting in the sun could arouse perspiration while reading a book and the ocean breeze would refresh the skin with its soft caress. February can be a grueling month here in the Northeast, so let this image be a respite for you, while you anticipate the warmer days to come.