Puerto Rico – Days 4 and 5

Previous posts:  Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3

Tuesday, December 17^th was Mom’s actual birthday, and she wanted to celebrate by seeing Old Town San Juan.  Old Town is actually pretty small – only 7 square blocks in any direction – so it was completely walkable.  Additionally, our condo was smack dab in the center of all of it, so any time we wanted to, we could return home to rest, drop off random things we’d acquired, have a drink of water, more mofongo, and so on.

In researching our trip, I ran across a series of walking tours on a blog from someone who lived in San Juan, and we started out following those.  In making our way from the condo to the starting point of the walking tour, we decided breakfast was in order, as was taking some pictures of the street scenes around us.  Old Town is a really gorgeous part of the island, evoking the colors of places like Charleston and a distinctly old world style feel.

Who's ready to play Find the Gato?

Jim and Leigh outside the door to the condo

We ate breakfast at a Chocolate Café.  Since they specialize in chocolate, it was in almost everything on the menu, including chocolate pancakes and chocolate grilled cheese.  While we ate, we planned out our route for the day.

Mmm...chocolate pancakes!

So, first, we go to this rum store.

Then, we go to this rum store.

Finally, we hit this rum store.

We ended up down by the harbor, walking along the Paseo de la Princesa, or the Avenue of the Princes or something.  My Spanish is rather lacking.  It’s a beautiful, tree-lined pedestrian friendly stroll down to the bay, past the old jail, which now houses a Tourist Office and art gallery.

Walking along the Paseo

Why, Leigh, why?!?!?!?!

Part of the old city wall

We ended up at the fountain at the bay right as a cruise ship was coming in.  We tried waving for awhile, but no one waved back at us.  Tres lame. 

This is what we call an artsy picture, folks.

We proceeded on along the bay to where the city gate allowed us access through the giant city wall, back into the old town area.

Queen Victoria with a lizard on her head.

I don't think she minds.

I suppose it is still a gate, after all.

We hiked up the hill to the Cathedral (where Ponce de Leon is interred), making friends with more gatos along the way.

Uno gato!

Dos gatos!

(ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)

Break time in the park

Just a sheep, doin' my biz.

After the Cathedral, we headed to the Castillo de San Felipe del Morro (or El Morro), the larger fort in San Juan.  It’s a neat place, and we had a great time climbing over and around the structure. 

 

 I wonder where this goes...

While we were wandering around, Mom yelped and pointed at the top of one of the ramparts.  A giant iguana was climbing along the edge of the fort and helpfully stopped to pose for pictures along the way.

"Iguana hold your haaaaand..."

After the fort, we made our way down to the cemetery at the foot of the fort.  It was really a beautiful place – tons of sculptures in white marble with the sea in the background.  Very peaceful.

After all the climbing at the fort, we decided to rest a bit and eat lunch, so it was back to the condo for A/C and mofongo!  After lunch, we set our sights on shopping and rum, so we headed down to the water near the cruise ship port, where legend has it, several shops will give you free rum tasters and then send you on your merry way.  Blessedly, legend is correct. 

 After rumming it up, we retired to a nearby park to escape the maddening tourist hordes and relax in the shade.

We shopped for a bit longer, then headed back to the condo to get all gussied up for dinner at – no joke – a nicer place called Marmalade in Old Town.  We each did a four-course tasting menu (with a few wine pairings at the table), and everything was outstanding.  The chef even came out to talk with us and wish Mom a happy birthday!

After that, it was back home to the condo and then off to bed!

The next morning, Wednesday, December 18^th, we gathered everything up and after enjoying one last breakfast on the balcony, we headed back to the mainland. 

Jim with the leftover bottle of rum.
It's wrapped tightly in a pair of socks.

Overall, we had a wonderful time!

Adios!

Amy