This year Robert & I had our hearts set on another cruise. We skipped a couple of years because life sort of got in the way, but we sorely missed it. Because we like to feel like we are on vacation immediately, we selected a sailing that left out of San Juan. This is that trip.
We arrived in the late afternoon yesterday (There is a two hour time difference.. We left out on the first flight so as to get here in time to do something before calling it a day. We checked into the Sheraton Hotel across from (what we thought was our pier) the pier. A bit of wandering around ended with a stop at Chicago Burger Company for a very overpriced meal. Then it was off to rest up for the next big day of sightseeing.
We started this morning at the post office so we could mail some post cards back home. Then we passed the man with elephantitis of the left leg shaking his Subway cup on our way to CVS for a drink and "breakfast". This same man was seen sleeping on one of the sidewalks last night while we were wondering around. Then it was off to explore the old forts of Old San Juan.
Who knew they were so big and had so many levels?!?! Certainly not us! What we thought would take a couple of hours ended up as an all day affair. We first visited El Morro where we walked forever only to find that the trail ended and we had to go all the way back, go through the city gate entrance, then up over the wall to continue.
The weirdest part...cats! I am not a big fan of cats and they are everywhere here. Ferrel cats just roam the old fort areas in the National Park. They are skinny, stink, and are very odd looking. These cats appeared to be a mix of calico, tabby, and whatever other kinds of cat there are. The first time we spotted one it was right after we spotted some cardboard boxes stacked with trash and things under some bushes along the walking trail. It appeared that a homeless person might be living back there though the park is locked each night. We assumed the cat may have belonged to the person "living" back there. Then as we went along we started seeing more and more cats. They aren't everywhere, but on the way to and from El Morro there were dozens and dozens.
With the warm tropical sun and all the walking we did we were somewhat dehydrated by the time we made it through the city gate. Lucky for us a group of guys were there with a street cart full of drinks for us to purchase. A bit of a rest was taken at the water fountain right alongside the street until we could get back on our way.
As you enter El Morro, there is an open field that is part of the National Park area (and was a bit of a killing field in the various conquests) where the trade winds blow across the point of the island. The winds make for great kite flying and there were kids (and a few adults) all gathered in this area with their kites. They could essentially throw the kite into the air and the trade winds would catch it and off they went. It is Friday. Why these kids weren't in school, we have no idea, but they would bring them in by the bus load and they all wore uniforms.
The fort was interesting with its many levels, spiral and triangular staircases, secret passages, and lighthouse. We almost didn't go in after we learned that there was a fee. After finding out that it was only a $5 admission to both forts, we decided to go even though we did not think it would be some place we would enjoy. It was actually pretty interesting. Whatever you do, if you go to visit, don't bother visiting the gym before you head out. Traversing the fort is enough workout for most anyone.
We wanted to head over to the other fort, but after being out until after 2:30 without any food and very little water, we decided it would be better to stop and get a bite to eat and preferably somewhere we could cool off. One of the park rangers suggested a restaurant called El Jibarito (in English...The Hillbilly!) She assured us this was the best place to eat for an island specialty called Monfongo.
Monfongo is made from either plantains or yuca root. Based on her recommendations we went for the Monfongo yuca. Robert had a combo plate of fried (everything here is fried) plantains, plantain tamales, yellow rice and pork short ribs. I had an appetizer of fried cod which was made into flat rounds like tostones and the monfongo yuca. The dishes were served with three sauces to choose from. French dressing which was not recommended (LOL!), a homemade HOT sauce, and a garlic butter sauce. The hot sauce was muy caliente!! My tongue and lips will never be the same. Robert loved it and ate it on everything all the while sweating and with his eyes watering as he reached for his beer. Anyone that knows me will be shocked to see that I tried the local fair as I am such a picky eater, but the monfongo yuca was quite good and the garlic sauce that came with it was divine. I would love to have it bottled to take back home and eat it on pasta. The cod was not bad...interesting, and unexpected, but not something I would ask for again.
We left the restaurant and headed to San Cristobal. This fort is not as big and honestly not as interesting, or perhaps it was just that we were so dog tired! After touring this area it was time to head back and get a shower! More rest tonight (on the hardest hotel bed on the planet. ugh!) so we can head to the ship tomorrow. We are hoping to go see Don Q tomorrow and we are on the hunt for an ornament for our travel tree before we leave the island.
Other interesting tid bits from today...
Iguana
The slums between the water and the fort walls
beautiful Caribbean colors on the houses/hotels
architecture
cemetery (Grandpa would be proud!)
Institute of Neurobiology
We arrived in the late afternoon yesterday (There is a two hour time difference.. We left out on the first flight so as to get here in time to do something before calling it a day. We checked into the Sheraton Hotel across from (what we thought was our pier) the pier. A bit of wandering around ended with a stop at Chicago Burger Company for a very overpriced meal. Then it was off to rest up for the next big day of sightseeing.
We started this morning at the post office so we could mail some post cards back home. Then we passed the man with elephantitis of the left leg shaking his Subway cup on our way to CVS for a drink and "breakfast". This same man was seen sleeping on one of the sidewalks last night while we were wondering around. Then it was off to explore the old forts of Old San Juan.
Who knew they were so big and had so many levels?!?! Certainly not us! What we thought would take a couple of hours ended up as an all day affair. We first visited El Morro where we walked forever only to find that the trail ended and we had to go all the way back, go through the city gate entrance, then up over the wall to continue.
The weirdest part...cats! I am not a big fan of cats and they are everywhere here. Ferrel cats just roam the old fort areas in the National Park. They are skinny, stink, and are very odd looking. These cats appeared to be a mix of calico, tabby, and whatever other kinds of cat there are. The first time we spotted one it was right after we spotted some cardboard boxes stacked with trash and things under some bushes along the walking trail. It appeared that a homeless person might be living back there though the park is locked each night. We assumed the cat may have belonged to the person "living" back there. Then as we went along we started seeing more and more cats. They aren't everywhere, but on the way to and from El Morro there were dozens and dozens.
With the warm tropical sun and all the walking we did we were somewhat dehydrated by the time we made it through the city gate. Lucky for us a group of guys were there with a street cart full of drinks for us to purchase. A bit of a rest was taken at the water fountain right alongside the street until we could get back on our way.
As you enter El Morro, there is an open field that is part of the National Park area (and was a bit of a killing field in the various conquests) where the trade winds blow across the point of the island. The winds make for great kite flying and there were kids (and a few adults) all gathered in this area with their kites. They could essentially throw the kite into the air and the trade winds would catch it and off they went. It is Friday. Why these kids weren't in school, we have no idea, but they would bring them in by the bus load and they all wore uniforms.
The fort was interesting with its many levels, spiral and triangular staircases, secret passages, and lighthouse. We almost didn't go in after we learned that there was a fee. After finding out that it was only a $5 admission to both forts, we decided to go even though we did not think it would be some place we would enjoy. It was actually pretty interesting. Whatever you do, if you go to visit, don't bother visiting the gym before you head out. Traversing the fort is enough workout for most anyone.
We wanted to head over to the other fort, but after being out until after 2:30 without any food and very little water, we decided it would be better to stop and get a bite to eat and preferably somewhere we could cool off. One of the park rangers suggested a restaurant called El Jibarito (in English...The Hillbilly!) She assured us this was the best place to eat for an island specialty called Monfongo.
Monfongo is made from either plantains or yuca root. Based on her recommendations we went for the Monfongo yuca. Robert had a combo plate of fried (everything here is fried) plantains, plantain tamales, yellow rice and pork short ribs. I had an appetizer of fried cod which was made into flat rounds like tostones and the monfongo yuca. The dishes were served with three sauces to choose from. French dressing which was not recommended (LOL!), a homemade HOT sauce, and a garlic butter sauce. The hot sauce was muy caliente!! My tongue and lips will never be the same. Robert loved it and ate it on everything all the while sweating and with his eyes watering as he reached for his beer. Anyone that knows me will be shocked to see that I tried the local fair as I am such a picky eater, but the monfongo yuca was quite good and the garlic sauce that came with it was divine. I would love to have it bottled to take back home and eat it on pasta. The cod was not bad...interesting, and unexpected, but not something I would ask for again.
We left the restaurant and headed to San Cristobal. This fort is not as big and honestly not as interesting, or perhaps it was just that we were so dog tired! After touring this area it was time to head back and get a shower! More rest tonight (on the hardest hotel bed on the planet. ugh!) so we can head to the ship tomorrow. We are hoping to go see Don Q tomorrow and we are on the hunt for an ornament for our travel tree before we leave the island.
Other interesting tid bits from today...
Iguana
The slums between the water and the fort walls
beautiful Caribbean colors on the houses/hotels
architecture
cemetery (Grandpa would be proud!)
Institute of Neurobiology
