Golfers
After my loss at mini-golf at the mall close to Andrew's place in Miami.
The View
He and his girl friend Rachel share a condo on the 30th floor in Brickell south of downtown Miami.
Ocean View
They even have a view of the ocean!
Warm Days
I left at the perfect time, lows in Cincinnati were in the SINGLE digits!
Rooftop View
We did not get the chance to give the pool a test swim 🙁
Welcome to San Juan
Andrew suggested a cruise after moving to Miami last summer. Recall our trip to Eastern Europe was canceled in 2020 due to COVID.
Our Place
Here's the view we found when arriving at our Airbnb.
Tropical
There's a pool back there (we never made it).
The Bay
The condo was on the bayside of the peninsula.
Beach Side
After unpacking we walked across the street to a beachside park.
Rainbow
We were greeted by a rainbow, and...
The Surf
... the surf.
Welcome
While exploring we found a food court type experience on the water.
We're Here
VERY happy to be exploring San Juan with Andrew.
Picturesque
Thought this was a GREAT shot.
Beached
My phone did a GREAT job, it was actually dark for our visit to the inlet beach.
Nighttime
Before I discovered the night photo option on my cell phone 🙂
Celebration
We found a nice place for dinner and were treated to fireworks to celebrate.
Be Careful
The bar to our left was hosting a private party, so we watched the waved from the observation point.
Good Morning
We had coffee and breakfast at the place in our condo, then walked to the beach.
Ready to Swim?
The surf was a bit extreme to do anything more than cool off. The water felt cool when entering but we acclimated quickly.
Beach Bums
My relaxed on the beach for a few hours before lunch, my feet got VERY toasty!
Lunch View
Not a great view for lunch but the food and people watching were good.
San Cristobol
We changed clothes and took an Uber to the fort.
The 2nd
This was an extension of the original fort built by the Spanish in the 1600s.
Location, Location
It's on the edge of old and new San Juan.
WWII
Gun turret added in WWII.
Wide View
GREAT view of the coast to search for German subs.
Top of the Fort
Turns our Puerto Rico is the first land encountered when riding the western current from Africa.
Original Fort
Meaning, it was HOTLY contested the instant the Spanish made their claim. The original fort is in the distance.
BIG Boy
We discovered a pair of these guards when peering over a wall.
Outpost
Manning my post.
Best Spot
We walked between forts and discovered this cemetery between them.
San Felipe del Morro
The forts were built over a period of 200 years.
CHARGE!
LOTS of space to pick off intruders.
Welcome
Let's take a look.
The Prize
The fort guards the entrance to the port.
Contrast
Nice comparison of architecture.
Toppers
Back on top of the fort.
Flying High
The wind was blowing strong.
Well Visited
The forts get a BUNCH of visitors.
Coastal View
See anything we need to worry about?
Lookout
Guarding the prize.
Gun Placement
The gun battery targeting to sink take out the sails of approaching ships.
Watch
Looked like a tranquil spot.
Lower View
Guns at this level targeted sinking approaching ships.
Live Perspective
Enjoy the view live.
Climb That!
If you were able to land, that wall doesn't look easy to scale.
200 Years
Easy to see why it took so long to build (better perspective later when you see the walls around the city).
Townie
We stopped by a local watering hole for a drink and some fresh ceviche.
T-Mobile
We had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the T-Mobile District.
La Placita
We left T-Mobile and headed to the street party at La Placita.
Street Party
It was raining on and off but the streets were FULL of people enjoying themselves.
Luggage Drop
After checking out we stored our luggage here, and...
Colada
.... enjoyed a drink (after all, it's the original) and a snack.
Sightseeing
We visited Cathedral Basilica Menor de San Juan Bautista that hosts the tomb of Juan Ponce de León.
Grand View
Inside looks MUCH better than the outside.
Side Chapel
Pretty grand for a ancillary chapel.
Hidden Treasure
Hidden Treasure
Still Christmas
Puerto Ricans celebrate Christmas through most of January.
Park Place
The church is across the street from a nice park.
Looked Important
Not sure who this is, but he warranted a statue.
Top of the Wall
View over the wall.
Bayside
That's SOME structure!
Keeps Going
And it kept going ang going around the point.
R&R
Even the cats thought it was hot.
Still Standing
AMAZING something built that long ago is in such good shape.
Piered
Hey, buddy you're blocking my view.
Streets of
Reminds me of San Francisco.
We're Back
We did some shopping, had a drink and tried to find some stamps. Then returned to get our luggage, ....
Valiant Lady
... it was time for us to board the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady. Let's go cruising!