Honeymoon on Isla Vieques

Vieques is a sleepy little island about 21 miles long and 5 miles across. It the eastern most island
of the Puerto Rican Archipelago, sometimes referred to as the Spanish Virgin Islands. Since the
US Navy left the island in 2003, 60+% of the island has become the largest Wildlife Sanctuary in
the Caribbean under the protection of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Sanctuary lands are
open from Dawn til Dusk, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Some of the most beautiful
beaches in the Caribbean are on this property.

The population of Vieques is about 9,400 and is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico, which is a
Commonwealth- as an Associated Free State. It is a democracy, which governs itself subject to the
Constitution of the United States.

Our honeymoon was just fantastic! The weather in the
Caribbean was a perfect 82 degrees on most days and very
mild, with cool evening breezes off our patio, overlooking the
sea. Maritineau Bay Resort & Spa was just the place we
needed after months of wedding planning and we didn't
hesitate to take in the comforts of the resort. We spent most
of our time on Vieques Island and were very happy that we
did, as the island had everything we wanted in a quiet
honeymoon. Many thanks to all who attended our wedding
and to those who helped make our honeymoon possible
through your generous gifts.

Besides the fact that we enjoyed the company of each other on our honeymoon... Of all the things
we had seen and done in Puerto Rico, the Bio-Bay midnight kayaking tour was most interesting!

Bio-Luminescent Bay
It is a "Must See" when you are in Vieques, a "Once in a lifetime experience". Bio-Bay in Vieques is
unique. None of the pictures you see really do it justice. It is just spectacular. The bioluminescence
in Bio-Bay is microscopic one-celled organism called a dinoflagellate. The dinoflagellates
micro-organisms' scientific name is Pyrodinium bahamense. They are part animal because they
move around and part plant because they photosynthesize sunlight using chlorophyll. How or why
do they glow? They emit a bright glow whenever they are agitated, or moved around. As a single
cell organism, this built in defense mechanism can make them seem larger than the actually are
(1/500") to predators. Because the viewing of Bio-Bay is affected by light, even the reflected light of
the moon can dim an otherwise incredible experience. Therefore, there are times when it
becomes less than desirable to venture out on the bay. It is best viewed during a New to Waxing or
Waning moon, or before moon rise or after moon set.

This is the most incredible thing you will ever see. The agitated water glows in the dark... the
motion of the waves lapping the beach, small fish running for cover, the splashing of your feet in
the surf. The motion of your kayak creates a glow, the paddle moving through the water... and most
of all, when you dive into the water, your body illuminates in the water! It is just amazing.