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| Las Monjas and Del Cristo, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
I arrived in San Juan in preparation for a cruise of the Eastern Caribbean, properly called, I suppose, the Lesser Antilles. As I was focused on this upcoming cruise, Old San Juan just about slipped past without my notice. Fortunately, I had a half a day to discover an amazing metropolitan area.
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| Old city fortifications, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
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| Calle Del Cristo, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
Perhaps it was pleasant surprise that made old San Juan seem so special. The city, founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, the second oldest European-established city in the Americas, with standing fortifications that were witness to attacks led by Sir Francis Drake, was like a dreamland. Like an old world town peopled by Americans; like Carazedo, Portugal, if someone painted it; like Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride kept going after you’d turned the corner.
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| Calle Cruz, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
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| Plaza del Quinto Centenario, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
But, from the Pina Coladas in Maria’s Bar & Restaurant, to discovering the final resting place of Juan Ponce de León (Spanish explorer and first Governor of Puerto Rico) in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, that was merely the prelude before rounding the steps at the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, and seeing Fort San Felipe del Morro for the first time.
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| Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
A bright, Saturday afternoon found families picnicking and children flying kites on the expansive lawn that covered the San Juan National Historical Site. The sky shone blue, a warm breeze held the kites aloft, a thousand feet of manicured grass stretched toward the old stone fortifications, and the effect was magical.
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| Calle San Sebastien, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
With a strict schedule to maintain (everything had to be timed in order to make sure I would make my sailing), there was just enough time for some quick photos, and then back into the narrow streets of the old city. I continued our shopping and browsing, finding some nice deals on jewelry, clothes, and just about everything else I could imagine.
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| Aboard ship at the Pan American Cruise Ship Terminal, San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
Soon I was aboard ship preparing to depart for the cruise. And even though a whole weeks worth of travel lay before me, I was already anxious to see Old San Juan on my return.
Peace & Travels,
Nelio
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