Just before this trip Karen & I had started watching the new version of West Side Story. I say start as we both got fed up half way through. But we did see the spectacular version of ‘America’ performed by the Puerto Rican’s and we have both been singing it all of the cruise simply because we knew that today we would be in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For me this was the place where I was excited to visit the most on this trip.
So would it be:
Puerto Rico,
You lovely island . . .
Island of tropical breezes.
Always the pineapples growing,
Always the coffee blossoms blowing
Or would it be:
Puerto Rico . . .
You ugly island . . .
Island of tropic diseases.
Always the hurricanes blowing,
Always the population growing
After today’s choice of an omelette for breakfast we hurried back to the cabin to get our things together to head off the ship to explore on foot. All the guide books said that Old San Juan was very walkable. We just hoped that applied to a couple of old crocks.
It was certainly hot as we exited the port. For a change there were none of the manic scenes of dozens of people offering taxis or tours as we strolled out into what seemed like a normal town. The American influence was immediately obvious with first a Walgreens store and then not far past that a Starbucks.
We walked uphill to Plaza Colon where we sat for a couple of minutes. We were both already in pain. My foot was still sore but I was having more problem with my right knee with the torn ligaments and the worn out joint. It didn’t help that I must have left my strapping at home. I had ‘tweaked’ it badly putting my socks on. It did not like going up stairs at all today.
Karen was also suffering badly with her hip and thigh and unlike me has now been taking a myriad of painkillers each day to cope. We have now come to the conclusion that it probably isn’t the new orthotics that have caused the problem as she hasn’t now worn them now for over a week. Dr Google is suggesting from the symptoms that it is now time for her to have a new hip, but it has been wrong before.
We stopped at the Castillo monument but were both put off by what looked like hundreds of steps to climb up and around it. We both agreed we could probably see most of it from where we were resting outside and from the guide I had read looked more impressive from outside than inside.
San Juan is not very wide at this point and we were already on the other side of it. We decided to continue our slow walk along this side of the island to El Morro, which is the World Heritage Fortress at the end of a peninsula. It was about a mile but we figured if we took it steady we could make it and we had all day in which to do so.
It was a lovely walk in beautiful weather. Old San Juan is very colourful and pretty. Despite lots of alleyways it also felt very safe. Everyone seemed happy and the motorists all stopped when you wanted to cross the road.
Eventually we came to El Morro with the extensive green area in front of it, which is known as an area for kite flying due to the winds blowing across between the seas. We walked up to the National Monument and were waived through the barrier without paying. We had no idea why other than they may have thought we were with an organised group. Other people were having to pay the $10 admission. Apart from some fine views there really wasn’t much to the fortress as such. There was a small National Parks shop but sadly no café. We used the toilet facilities and slowly headed out.
Walking back along the green area from El Morro, we were stopped by a couple who said to Karen – “Are you waiting for a hip replacement? – I recognise the way you are walking and can see the pain you are in. I had mine done last year and it is the best thing I ever did”. They chatted for a while and Karen started to feel better about her situation. When we got to a resting point we sat and I booked an online appointment through the health insurers to determine what is exactly the problem and how/when it could be sorted. Karen in her own mind was already convinced and planning what date she would the operation done.
We got back to the Old town and wandered the narrow streets. Many of the small cafes were now open and music was blaring out. It reminded Karen of New Orleans. It did have a lovely vibe. We stopped in the main square for a while where there were workmen on cherry pickers finally taking down the Christmas decorations.
As we got closer to the port there were now many market stalls set up to take advantage of the cruise passengers selling typical tat and knock off bags and sunglasses.
Despite our aches and pains we felt a sense of achievement in our walk which had taken us 3 ½ hours. Similar guided walks through the ship would have cost around $60 each and would have had to be done at the guides pace and not ours.
We dumped our bag back in the cabin and grabbed some lunch from the buffet before heading to the sun deck for some banana daiquiris. I was grumpy for a while as there was no shade for me and I was hot, bothered and tired and would have preferred sitting quietly with my leg up on the balcony. But Karen was happy and so happy wife – happy life.
One of the questions today I had was how far up would I have to jump off the deck so that when I land that I would be further down the ship? Would this method save me a long walk back to the cabin each day? I had to read several google explanations before I understood that as I jump, I already have the forward motion of the ship in me and so I just land in the same place.
Eventually we went back to the room where we sat on the balcony and watched as the ship departed San Juan. We had been moored next to another cruise ship and there were lots of shouts from various balconies across to each other as we pulled away.
Over dinner we had the horrible thought when we saw ‘half man half biscuit’ again of ‘What if she is actually a woman?’ But then dismissed that as being very unlikely.
It was the best dinner of the trip so far. We both had the Beef Tenderloin Oscar which was amazing. After this we went to the theatre where a comedian was advertised. Actually he turned out to be a comedian, ventriloquist and magician and had me laughing out loud a lot.
As per our normal routine we then went straight to the piano lounge after crashing into a chocolate surprise parade that caught us a bit off guard. People seemed to be getting terribly excited for what for the most part were either chocolate covered coffee beans or chocolate covered cheerios.
The pianists were on top form tonight with some great covers of Billy Joel, Coldplay and Jim Croce.
After they finished their set we retired to our cabin and found more chocolates on the bed and another towel animal that was definitely an elephant this time.
We liked Puerto Rico for a short visit.
Immigrant goes to America,
Many hellos in America;
Nobody knows in America
Puerto Rico’s in America!
