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The Mask Maker of Boquerón

Amil Droz, an artisanal mask maker based in Boquerón,  Puerto Rico, took us for a walk through his rustic wooden home and art studio to see his vejigante masks and other 3D works of art he has created. Amil (pronounced Ay-MEEL) is originally from Puerto Rico, but spent most of his life living in New York, which you will be able to tell from his accent. He calls his business Tuntuneco Arts. His masks are mostly made out of coconuts in the style found in Loiza, Puerto Rico. We purchased one to display above the bar of our Cabo Rojo home.

Amil Droz Torres is a certified cultural Artisan whose art studio and shop, Tuntuneco Arte Taino, is located above the Copy Hamburger bar in Boqueron, Puerto Rico. His masks sculptures and painting are found in museums, schools, and corporations in New York and PR. He also teaches and presents as a guest artist. We were lucky to meet him in a Cabo Rojo sports bar while watching the AFC Championship Game! He’s also a NY Yankees fan, but we can forgive him for that.

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Amil Droz, Tunteneco Arts, on Instagram NY Digital Heritage Collection Profile

Riding Lisbon’s Famous Tram 28

No trip to Lisbon is complete without a ride on iconic Tram 28, an old-fashioned tram that takes you through the city’s most famous neighborhoods in a vehicle so narrow it almost brushes the historic buildings.

The classic yellow trams retain original 1930s features like brass dials and polished wood interiors. It squeezes in and out of unimaginably narrow alleys.

It’s a great introduction to the city, and a unique experience no one should miss!

The Rain Stopped. Time to Explore Lisbon!

Bob bops around Lisbon, noticing lots of tiled architecture, inviting plazas, historic statues, interesting shops (including sardines, an apparent Lisbon delicacy!), colorful pottery, the obligatory cathedral or two, hilltop vistas with strolling musicians, an art museum, and more.

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Lisbon: Boat Tour on the Tagus River

Lisbon’s lovely Tagus River beckoned, so of course Bob hopped on a boat! He was a little underwhelmed.

It was a fine tour, nothing spectacular. Bob enjoyed a relaxing couple of hours seeing Lisbon's main monuments, such as the 25th of April Bridge, Praça do Comércio, and the Tower of Belém, among many others. The one-and-a-half-hour round-trip tour cost 26 euros, or about $28 US. You can also choose to go just one way for less.

We don’t recommend it if your time in Lisbon is short.

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Portugal Lisbon Tagus River Boat Tour

Stupid Drunk and Happy in Puerto Vallarta: Tasting Tequila at Oscar’s Destileria 

We stumbled upon a tequila micro-distillery right next to the Pacific Ocean, on the grounds of Restaurant Oscar’s, while we were just bopping around Puerto Vallarta.  Blue agave plants and silver barrels beckoned us with the promise of a chance to try Jalisco’s specialty, tequila.

This is how they describe it on their website:

“Embark on a sensory adventure with our Mexican Distilled Spirits Tasting experience, where tradition, craftsmanship, and flavor converge in a symphony of delightful notes. Explore the rich cultural heritage of Puerto Vallarta through an expertly curated selection of premium distilled spirits that capture the essence of this vibrant country. Indulge in an unforgettable journey through the heart and soul of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico with our Mexican Distilled Spirits Tasting.”

We got a very thorough tour and tasting experience from a guide whose name Lisa unfortunately forgot. After giving us a quick history of how tequila used to be made and explaining how it’s distilled now, our guide even taught us how to drink it.

There were more types of tequila than we have seen anywhere else, including passion fruit, kiwi, coffee, vanilla, guanabana, and even one he described as “The Baby Maker” because it makes you “feel like a donkey from the waist down.”

He was so funny, we walked away with an expensive bottle in our hands and stupid smiles on our faces.

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Destilería de Oscars 

A Day in Boston: Swan Boats and Flying Tea

On our way to Mexico last summer, we had a few hours to kill and spent them exploring Boston. Join us as Bob attempts to annoy everyone in Beantown with his observations about Sam Adams, Faneuil Hall, the original State House, Quincy Market, and even the Boston Tea Party. We’ll also take a stroll through Boston Public Garden, and Lisa finally gets to ride in a Swan Boat!

This video debuts our awesome new original theme music, The Messy Suitcase Theme, composed by Patrick Hamm, a guitar player/singer/composer based in Hamburg, Germany. Thank you, Pat! Check out his YouTube channel.

The new introduction was created by Gavin Greenawalt.

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Boston Tourism