2011-11-8 San Juan:

We sailed into San Juan on Tues., Nov. 8th at about 1pm. As we were coming into the bay, Ken and I went to the observation deck and listened to a commentary by the travel guide. She gave a 20 minute or so history of the city. Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico ("port of the riches" because of the abundant gold ore in the riverbed) in 1493. One of his lieutenants (Ponce de Leon) returned in 1508 and claimed the island---declared himself governor and established the city. Reminders of him are prominent throughout old town. It wasn't until the 19th century that the island was granted independence from Spain, at which time American troops landed on the island. Residents of the island were granted US citizenship in 1917 and in 1993 they voted to remain a US territory.

Sailing into the port we got a great view of El Morro Fort, 1 of 2 forts in Old Town. Construction on it started in 1539 and continued for 200 years. The City WAll dates from the 1630s and follows the shore. The old city is a masterpiece of antique architecture.

 sailing around to the port

We were anxiously waiting for Angie to join us here. We weren't sure how her embarkation was going to go. Our first priority was to get her registered on the ship and then see what she wanted to do.

 

Turned out the procedure for her embarking here was pretty simple.  She had to wait at the security gate, noodles in tow,  until a ship manifest was brought out showing she was boarding here.  Then she waited at the bottom of the gangway until we got there.  We then fought our way against traffic to get back onto the ship.  At first they were telling us we couldn't go against traffic.  Then when they found out we were in a Deluxe Suite, their tone abruptly changed!  So nice not to be a peon for once!  They checked her name, sent us to the Neptune Lounge to get her room card and that was it.  We went and got lunch at the Lido, then headed off to explore San Juan.

Last year when Ken and I were here we discovered a free bus that traveled through Old Town.  So we jumped on the bus and headed up towards the fort.  We were going to just ride the bus all around Old Town, but up by the fort it met up with another bus coming the other direction and neither would back up for the other.  Did I mention it was very humid?  The fogginess of this picture is because the lens on my little point and shoot camera fogged up.

 

 After about a 20 minute stand off, we decided to get off and walk back through Old Town.  At least it had quit raining by then and it was a nice easy walk. 

 First we went down one of the adoquine stone paved streets to an old cemetary.  There's always interesting architecture in and around cemeteries.

As we walked back down to the ship, we passed an old church, quaint little shops, and even stopped in at a Don Q rum visitor's center to sample the goods

Angie and me enjoying some spirits at the distillery---coconut run in pineapple juice and passion fruit rum in Sprite---yummm! .

 This artwork in the bar really caught my eye.  She looks like my Mom!

 my Mom

Ken with his new friend.

 It was a fun-cheap day.