Day 4 - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Saturday February 3

In the evenings, when we are at dinner or shows, the stewards ready our cabins for the night. They also leave the program “When & Where” for the next day (besides a piece of chocolate for each of us). There is a lot going on but most things don’t interest us like art auctions and guessing the weight of a diamond in a certain piece of jewelry.  We do look at the “When & Where” program and pick out what would interest us but most of the time miss it. For today a lecture about tomorrow’s port is announced.

Every day it seems a little warmer but it has never been cold. We have a light breakfast from the Lido buffet at Deck 11 outside on the very back in the shade. By now we have learned to carry coffee (or tea) when the ship is moving without spilling. Afterwards a lady we had met at the “fixed” dinner table the first two evenings joined us to chat.
She and her husband had snorkeled on Grand Turks the day before. They had walked to the next beach and had been there all alone until one more very old couple later arrived too. She said snorkeling had been amazing there and her husband who is usually very quiet chimed in from the next table too how much he had seen. He said that there was a dead reef in the process of recovery and he was very excited. 

Suddenly we remembered the lecture about tomorrow in St. Thomas at 10 am and hurried to the show room on Deck 8. We missed the beginning but got most and it was interesting.

We were supposed to arrive at San Juan at noon. Plenty of time to walk a few loops around Deck 6. Our FitBits are motivating us thank goodness. Entering the San Juan harbor seems to be a very big deal. It’s supposed to be very scenic and not to be missed. We were told that they would open the ship’s bow for us etc etc.

At the appropriate time we do find the way to the bow.

And yes, it is very scenic. The fort is at the very tip of the harbor. Unfortunately my photos just don’t do it justice. I tried hard.

Arriving always takes some time. Customs and immigration come on board etc and then we are told we may disembark. We had booked a tour about which I was equally excited but also nervous about. Not being a very sporty person I am always regretting that I am not confident enough to do snorkeling ... as much as I would like too. I love looking at creatures above and under water. This tour was advertised that you walk into the water from the beach and have an underwater tour with a helmet on which gets oxygen via a cord. I thought that would be my cup of tea and James agreed. The tour was supposed to start at 1:30 pm and we were asked to arrive 10 minutes earlier across the pier (which there was a Walgreens).

We usually walk the stairs whenever we can. Disembarkment was on Deck 3 and we take the elevator then from our deck 9. Somebody pointed out the carpet. It gets changed every day.

We were early and waited and finally two guys with red shirts arrived giving us bad news. Government had closed the beach they were using for this tour because of a marathon the next day. They were very very sorry and apologized ten times. Yes, big disappointment ... but relief at the other hand. Didn’t need to be brave any more. It also took care of my frustration because I couldn’t get my underwater camera to work. Oh well.

We went back to the ship, quickly changed and decided just on a walking tour around the city. First thing we found the information center. Very nice and friendly. We got a map and lots of information. 

There was a lot to see. On Columbus Square there was even a craft market but I spared James that. When we passed one nice looking shop with arts and craft things he asked me whether I wanted to buy our customary Christmas ornament from our trip. It didn’t take me long to find something.  We added to our nativity collection from around the world.

We were thirsty and stopped at an inviting place to look at the map.

The Fort San Cristóbal wasn’t very far. 

Somebody asked us to take their photo so we let them take ours. 

We had been told that $7 per person would get us into both castles and James paid. There was nobody else there and we chatted with the ranger. We find out that our US National Parks membership for life card would get us in free and the ranger insists on refunding us. 

It is quite interesting. Information is posted and the view from the Fort is awesome.

See our ship?

The square where we had our refreshment.

VIDEO!   (0:48)

Then we walk along in the direction of the other Fort. Here is a look back.

There are also hop on hop off spots for a trolley but we don’t see it very often. And it is a nice walk. Not far for us. Plenty to see (and hear = VIDEO!  0:22)  and more information too.

The cemetery.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

As it was a Saturday there were many local families there on the huge green having picnics and flying kites. It was nice to see.

Again we just waved the lifetime National Park pass and just walked through. And there was much to walk.

Time to leave the Fort and head back to the ship. This tree and his roots were so pretty. Couldn't take a photo like I wanted though.

We liked this statue.

It's downhill all the way to the harbor. Some little streets like this one had steps ... for walking only. Some streets were still half uprooted from the hurricane. This street had also at least 12 cats ... laying around left and right.

This bench was being used by a man and a pigeon ... permanently. Bronze?

Another stop at the Plaza De Colón. 

Found this in our cabin. Not sure what? Peacock?

Viewing from our balcony. There was another ship and it was leaving before us. Was the fireworks for it? VIDEO!   (5:17 it's long but I had fun watching it) It was darker then the picture shows.

Almost leaving. A pilot is getting on board.

Ah, lovely.