Lifestyle Blog
One of my friends launched a small side business: Urban Hikes Kansas City. She will be taking people on a somewhat hilly 3-4 miles hike around downtown Kansas City, MO. The group will talk about historical and modern spots while getting a work out done. …
Jerry had to go to a work convention in Raleigh, North Carolina and he had the great idea of extending his stay there, taking Isabella and me and making a family getaway out of this trip. I was super excited because it was going to be …
Jerry and I are always on the lookout for places where we can take Isabella, she can enjoy and adults can have a great time as well. Las Tortugas Restaurant is one of these places. It is located in my hometown, Utuado and it’s on the way to the house I grew up in. This place is surrounded by nature and the magic of the mountains, without a doubt is one of my favorites in Utuado, Puerto Rico.
Las Tortugas, was originally known as “El Bohio de Don Sergio”. Growing up I remembered stopping there with my parents often, I loved to see the turtles they kept in their natural tank. At that time this place was a place to eat Puerto Rican fritters, like bacalaitos, rellenos, alcapurrias among others and have a drink. One of my favorites things to eat there were the “bacalaitos”, which can be translated to salted cod fritters. I often asked for a Grape Old Colony Soda or a Malta India to have with my bacalaitos. “El Bohio de Don Sergio” and all these flavors are things that automatically transport me to my childhood.
On our recent visit to Puerto Rico, one of my best friends suggested for us to go to Las Tortugas, and we had a great time. Isabella loved the place and she felt comfortable and free. I was very excited to be there with Isabella and see her enjoying a place I enjoyed so much when I was her age. She immediately started playing with rocks, went to see the turtles tank and enjoyed a fresh squeezed orange juice. And this is the great thing about Las Tortugas, it is kids friendly, has great food, amazing ambience and in my case brings back childhood memories.
“El Bohío de Don Sergio” has evolved to “Las Tortugas” (In english the turtles) and the new owner is Don Sergio’s granddaughter. She has revamped the concept, making it more restaurant like. But she kept some of the original characteristics like the natural turtle tank and the bohío shape.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch and drinks. I ordered “Trifongo”, which is a mix of mashed green plantains, sweet plantain, and yuca. I also ordered octopus salad. The trifongo was spectacular with the perfect mix of salty, sweet and crunchy and the octopus was tender and seasoned to perfection. I’m writing this and my mouth waters. My mom had the trifongo and “camarones al ajillo and she said it was very delicious as well. Ledys had the octopus and Isabella had the “Tortu Pizza”, she ate it all and said it was yummy! Las Tortugas have a good variety of food on their menu, that includes some of the favorite dishes of Puerto Ricans like, chuletas Kan Kan, mofongos, arroz con tocino among others.
When we were done with our lunch we took a walk to the back of the property. They have walkways and areas where you can enjoy the nature and fresh air. Isabella particularly loved this part. We all had a good time at this very special place for me.
Definitely a must go if you visit Utuado or are around the nearby towns. You wont regret it!
What’s your favorite childhood place? Have you taken your kids there? Message me and tell me all about it.
Pictures taken by my friend Ledys Maldonado, my Mom Rita Cruz and me!
Traveling with kids is not as difficult as it looks, it’s like any other moment in your parenting journey with ups and downs. You will have to learn to adjust some things, but soon you will be an expert. Jerry and I had travel some …
The first time we traveled on an airplane with Isabella, she was three months old. Jerry and I were able to take her to Puerto Rico so she could meet her family that lives there. Being our first trip with her, I was so worried …
Going back home has always been like a boost of energy for me, that’s why we always try to go as often as possible. Now that we have Isabella it is more important for me to make those visits. I want her to love this Island as much as I do, to be as connected as I am to my family, to enjoy the culture and traditions and to feel as happy as I do when I’m on this Island.
This time we visited Puerto Rico to attend my Goddaughter’s wedding. Jerry couldn’t join us this time, so we made it “Isabella & Momma’s First Girls Trip”. Other than the wedding we didn’t have any other plans. This trip was just to enjoy our family and the mountains and so we did! My friends and family made this trip very special by taking time to be with us and by making us feel loved.
The big surprise of this trip for me was to see one of my cousins, who I love dearly and had not seen him in around 10 years. He got to finally meet Isabella. We spent as much time together as we could laughing about our old memories and making new ones.
The wedding was beautiful and very emotional. I have not seen the bride as happy as that day, and I have known her since she was born. The groom was very happy as well. It’s the kind of happiness that spreads to everyone. I was very excited to see her and be with them on this great day. This was Isabella’s first wedding and I had to explain to her the “wedding concept” because of course she asked, what is a wedding Momma? She told me she was determined to have fun with her cousins and that she was planning to dance.
We got to share with aunts, uncles and cousins all day, catch up and make new memories. It was a very happy day for all the ones that attended.
The after party continued at my uncle’s who greeted us with love and drinks! The group was smaller but it was a great time as well.
Another fun day was at my Tio Willy’s bar, known as “El Negocio de las Banderas” (The flags bar), since he hand painted on the walls the flags of Puerto Rico and of all its towns. When we travel to Puerto Rico we make sure we stop here. Is always a fun time, we get to meet with friends and family, listen to music, play dominos and pool and have cold beers.
On this trip I had the opportunity to celebrate with my uncle the inauguration of the terrace he built himself at his bar. The celebration started early in the afternoon and included, music, family, friends, snacks and a ribbon cutting.
If you are planning to visit Utuado and want to do what locals do, “El Negocio de Las Banderas” is one place you have to visit.
One of the things that fills my heart with joy is seeing Isabella enjoying the house where I was raised. I love watching her play with her cousins and see how she makes an effort to speak more Spanish to communicate better with them.
Going back home is always exciting, it reminds me of the importance of my roots and fills me with joy. And this time it was not the exception either.
When we were at the airport heading back to Kansas City, Isabella asked me, when we are coming back to Puerto Rico Mami? I need to come back because you know I love Puerto Rico. I cannot even begin to start explaining the happiness and pride I felt when I heard my daughter saying this.
We will miss you Puerto Rico but we will be back soon.
Pictures in this post by my aunts, mom, causins, friends and of course me .
Moving to Kansas City has been one of the experiences that has changed my life the most. I was happy in Puerto Rico and never thought about moving to another place. But life is full of surprises and one night after a day at the …
Coquito is a traditional drink from Puerto Rico, the star ingredient is coconut and it is usually a Holiday drink. I remember seeing bottles of coquito at all of our family gatherings since I was very young. I particularly remember that one of my aunts …