Treasure A Shore

We woke up early morning, had our breakfast and got ready for our journey. A backpack, snacks and lots of sunblock, where our necessities for this trip. From Guaynabo to Aguadilla, it is almost a two-hour drive, and the destination was not clear jet. The final stop was going to be “Survival Beach”.

Since last year, I have been seeing a series of beautiful places around Puerto Rico on social media, but do not have the chance to visit them. That is why my sister and I decided to take the challenge to visit more of our country. At the beginning of the summer we went to “Mar Chiquita” in Manatí, and to “Poza de Las Mujeres” and “Cueva Golondrinas” which are also in Manatí.

We thought that our summer was going to be like that always, but both of us work and did not have the time that we wanted to do it. But not a problem, on weekends we can go around too. That is what we did. On Saturday, we pack our backpacks with a set of clothing, put on our swimsuits, took our snacks and headed out. In two hours, we were on Aguadilla, but the first stop there was “Surfer’s Beach”, which is next to our final destination. There we took some pictures and prepare ourselves for the journey.

I heard ahead that the way to “Survival Beach” was thru some trees on the coast, but not only trees, there were some huge rocks and even caves (small ones). You have to be careful where you stand, because it can be slippery and rocky, there is also some caves around the area. Do not use sandals for that journey, tennis shoes or some water shoes are the better option for that 10-15 minutes’ walk.

Second stop, “Tabletop Beach” or “Punta Agujereada”. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it was amazing! The water so clear, the rocks aligning on an artistic way by nature and the beautiful sound of the waves. We took some pictures and that beautiful scenario on our minds, to later continue our walk for the final destination.

We had to go around a rock on the shore to be able to go into the cave. You have to get a little wet and it is a little complicated, but when we got there, the scenario was out of this world. The cave on the shoreline, the sound of the ocean echoing and that shade, that took us in after walking 15 minutes under the burning sun. Believe me it was all worth it.

After you get out of the cave you need to go around another rock, but this time I got wet till my waist (I’m 5’3”) to reach the beach. The outcome of the journey is wonderful, something like the Philippines but on a smaller version. For me was extraordinary, like out of a movie stamp. The water was so crystal clear, and you could see small fishes swim around. It was the perfect place to end that walk full of tree branches and huge rocks, I had no idea that on Puerto Rico you could find a place like that.

Two hours later, we took all our belongings and headed out back to the car. This time we decided to go on another route up hill, which left us soaking wet with sweat, but it was nice to see the incredible view from a higher distance.

After we changed our clothes, we decided to get something cold and delicious as a snack. We headed downtown Aguadilla, on the “Marina”, we found a series of food and snack stands along the shore. Our final choice, “Cafelados”. This coffee shop has 160 different mixes with the greatest expresso (as it says on their page), wraps, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, and gourmet desserts. We decided on the frappes, which were like heaven, creamy and with that incredible coffee taste. When we took that incredible ocean scent and had that pretty view on front of us for a while, it was time to go back home, with a bag full of memories and a camera with great pictures.  

**This adventure was before Hurracaine Maria, which hit the Island on September 19-20, 2017**
For more information about the catastrophe and how to help, you can go to:
Red Cross
Somos Una Voz
You Caring

Thank you for your time and hope you come back for more beautiful places and great adventures. Like and share!!

KPOP Charts 2017, 9th Edition: My Top 10

Even though it's a hard time for me since the devastation in Puerto Rico after the Hurricane Maria, I'm still in for another Top 10. Before all the communications dropped and after it was partially restored, I got the chance to listen new music for this post. So, here are my favorites for the month of September.

1.       "DNA" by BTS

The group made their comeback at the end of September, which debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200. The album "Love Yourself: Her" was a most anticipated album, after their success on the USA after writing "Top Social Artist" at the Billboard Music Awards 2017. On the Billboard Hot 100 the song, "DNA" debuted at #85. The song is on the trap vibe, which is one of the many urban sounds the group has adopted. The group also has won a series of #1 spots on music shows in South Korea.

2.       "POWER" by EXO

At the beginning of September, EXO, made their comeback with a repackage album of "The War" titled "The Power of Music". This new album has three new songs, with the title track "Power". On the MV of the song, the members are personating as superheroes on a scenario of space age with each of them having a special power. The song is an electro-house with a catchy strong chorus and a sway bass. The group has won #1 on a great number of music shows.

3.       "Runaway" by Bobby

One of the main rappers of the YG's group, iKON, has made his first solo album titled "Love and Fall". There are two title tracks for the album, "I Love You" and "Runaway". "I Love You" is a song, which talks about the sad love story of a couple. "Runaway" is a song that express the desire of running away and leaving all behind, escaping from everything. This last one was wrote by Bobby right after his debut with iKON. 

4.       "Rollin'" by B1A4

The group is coming back with their seventh mini album "Rollin'". They have comeback with a new sound, which is a little tropical house band, with a fun atmosphere, that is what the group stated on a live broadcast on Naver V. The song talks about falling deeper and deeper for someone.

5.       "Na B Ya" by Peejay ft Zion T

The producer Peejay, which is The Black Label's veteran, has release an animation story MV for the track "Na B Ya". This song features R&B artist Zion T, which is one of two tracks from the producer's second album "Walkin". This project contains nine tracks, with a mixture of hip-hop and R&B.

6.       "Last Night Story" by IU

IU's new album it's titled "Flower Bookmark 2", a follow-up of her remake album of 2014, "Flower Bookmark". Like the previous project, IU has selected her old favorites songs, and reinterpret them on a modern classic style. The album has six tracks, and some people say that this one is better than her previous cover project.

7.        "What You Like" by Lee Gikwang

The Highlight's member (previously BEAST) has made his solo comeback. Before being part of the group, Gikwang was a solo singer under the name of AJ, and now it's finally back. The song "Who You Like" it's part of his mini album "ONE". This song was produced by the Good Life team, which includes Yong Junhyung and Kim Tae Joo.

8.       "The Blue Night of Jeju Island" by Soyu

The song "The Blue Night of Jeju Island" it's a song from 1988 by Choi Sung Won. For this version we have the great vocals of former Sistar, Soyu.The track has an acoustic guitar and some hip-hop beats, which made it a soft pop song rather than a ballad.

9.       "When The Wind Blows" by Yoona

   The Girls' Generation's member, Yoona, has comeback with a solo track for SM Station. For "when The Wind Blows" we can hear Yoona's sweet vocals and an acoustic ballad song. The artist was part of the lyrics writing. On the MV we can see her going back to her memories of a fond lover.

10.   "Canvas" by Junho

"Canvas" it's the title of the 2PM's member, Junho, first mini album. The project has 7 tracks, and he released 3 MVs for the songs "Canvas", "Instant Love", and "Fine", along with a special clip for "Bye Bye". The track "Canvas is a mix of R&B and tropical house elements.

Well, this it’s what I have for now on the kpop lover scene. Now I will talk about what it’s happening in my homeland, Puerto Rico. On September 19 of this year, my beautiful Island has being hit by the Hurricane Maria and now it’s in great devastation. You can enter the follow sites to know more about this and how you can help for aid and reconstruction of Puerto Rico. Thank you for your time and I hope you come back next month for more great music. 

Red Cross 

Somos Una Voz

Hurricane Relief

CNN 

KPOP Charts 2017, 8th Edition: My Top 10

Hello fellow kpop lovers!! It's time for another Top 10!!

•  "All Night" by Girls' Generation

It's the 10th Anniversary of the "Ultimate Girl Group", Girls' Generation. It has been 1o years since their great debut single "Into The New World", and the album "Holiday Night", marks their comeback since 2015. This new album has 10 songs, that include the two promotion tracks "Holiday" and "All Night". The song "Holiday" it is more like their usually bubbly tracks, as for "All Night" you can hear the presence of each member on a EDM kind of song, and it's more like a party track.

• "Summer Storm" by Jessica Jung

The former Girls' Generation is celebrating her 10th Anniversary since her debut with the release of the track "Summer Storm". This song is part of her mini album "My Decade", which has six tracks where she collaborated on the lyrics for five of them. This project is her third mini album as a soloist and was released on August 9.

•  "Island" by WINNER

After the success of their latest album, "Fate Number Four" and that album's single, "Really Really", boy group WINNER had made their comeback early this month. With the release of their project, "Our Twenty Four", the group shows us their playful selves with the two MV that accompany the tracks "Island" and "Love Me Love Me". The song "Island" has more of a dance beat and addictive melody, similar to their last project title song "Really Really". Meanwhile, the track "Love Me Love Me" has more of a disco vibe.

•  "Tomorrow, Today" by JJ Project

The JYP Entertainment duo and members of GOT7,JB and JiYoung, had made their comeback as JJ Project. For this comeback they are releasing a more mature and reflecting sound, very different to their debut from five years back, "Bounce". "Verse 2" is the title of their album, which contains six tracks with mellow/pop-rock/alternative and laid-back style. "Tomorrow, Today" is their title track, which is a more personal song full of the concerns of young adults confronting the real world. This album has made it to the "Billboard's World's Albums", on the top 10 spots. 

•  "The Eve" by EXO

Even though this track is part of the group's stage performance for their comeback album "The War", it wasn't till the beginning of this month that they released a choreography MV while rehearsing the track "The Eve". The incredibly sexy moves can make any fan go crazy for the boys, and also want to dance along with them.

•  "Wake Me Up" by Taeyang

Big Bang's main vocalist has made his solo comeback after his international success three years ago with "Eyes, Nose, Lips". "White Night" is the artist third solo album, and it seems that it's going to be a success too. For this project the single tracks is "Darling", which it's a breakup song, and the other song for promotions is "Wake Me Up". The second track talks about true love, the one that he don't want to wake up from. A lot of rumors regarding his relationship with actress Min Hyo Ri surfaced because of the song "Darling", but on an interview he stated that "I love her a lot, and is inevitable to be influenced by her, she is my biggest muse", whit this the rumors of their breakup shut down. Don't you think he is so romantic?

•  "Rebirth" by Red Velvet

The SM girl group, Red Velvet has released the single "Rebirth", under the company's project Station 2. This song is a remake of an original from singer/songwriter and founder of Mystic Entertainment, Yoon Jong Shin. "Rebirth" is also part of "Snowball Project", a partnership between the two companies on a variety show with Jong Shin and Super Junior's, Henry.  

•  "Gashina" by Sunmi

After the disbandment of Wonder Girl's on January of this year, followed by her signing with another label (MakeUs Entertainment) on the end of February, Sunmi has made her comeback as a solo artist. "Gashina" is not the first solo project from her, when she was under JYP Entertainment she made her solo debut with the single "24 Hours", which ranked number 1 on digital media on August of 2013. Now, Sunmi has make her comeback with a new label and it's all in for a new quirky but sensual image. On the MV for "Gashina", you can see her dancing around discovering herself and making her way into this new phase.     

•  "BABE" by Hyuna

After the disbandment of 4Minute, back on June of 2016, and Hyuna being the only member to renew contract with Cube Entertainment, it was obvious that the agency would continue with her as a solo artist. Hyuna rose to fame as a solo artist with her project "Bubble Pop!", back on 2011, followed by other successful project and as part of the girl group 4Minute since 2009. Her sensuality is one of the characteristics that the audience love, and has been one of her strong points since the beginning. Now she has made her comeback with the 6th mini album, "Following", which has a series of songs that she co-wrote. The single for this project is "BABE".

•  "Memory Clock" by YoungJi

The former KARA member has made her solo debut with the composition "Memory Clock". After being selected as the winner of the reality/survival show "KARA Project" on 2014 and then forming part of the girl group KARA, it was a little ambiguous which entertainment path the artists would take. She had a great presence on variety shows, made her acting breakthrough with a supporting role on the tvN Drama "Another Oh Hae Young", and was the first hidden member of the same label group KARD. Finally, this month she has made her debut with the self-composed song "Memory Clock", a warm track to lift up those who are a little tired of everyday life.

Well, that is all for now. Hope you guys like the post and check this artist out. Keep on popping!