Blogs from Puerto Rico, Central America Caribbean - page 8

Awoke in San Juan and realized the ride thru paradise was over. Today (in the heat) we will endure the long lines in the cruise terminal, the long walks thru 3 airports, the comical banter with the customs guards to make it home. Our trip covered 2500 nautical miles, lots of great meals, buckets of Bombay Sapphire and hours at a slot mahcine. Every island had something different to offer and we didn't have enough time to see it all. I would think that a littler later in the season would be better to get slightly better weather. I am going to include my favourite pictures in this blog and look forward to the next trip.... read more

The ship left the port of San Juan at 8:30 after dinner. Bars, bars, bars everywhere. Went to a Scotch tasting.. Macallans 18 yr old is wonderful, Highland Park is way to peaty for me. First day of cruise and it is one that is entirely at sea.. Very smooth ride but you can feel the ship moving. When sleeping it is just a gentle rocking motion. Elke's day at the spa... Wandering about looking for more bars... Heading ro the top deck, some sunset pictures and then dinner Barbados tomorrow.... read more

Started at 3:30 am. Fairly smooth flights into Miami and then onto San Juan. HOT - 88 degrees and humid... really humid. add a couple of rain storms... did I say humid?? Found hotel after short diversion by cabbie.. (drive like in Santo Domingo) While i was writing under the pretext of getting info, Elke went to the bar and the casino and brought back some blood orange and basil mohitos. Very helpfull staff at Sheraton have directed us to 2 restaurants... 1st - Raices authentic Puerto Rican food - an appetizer featuring plaintains. 2nd - Barrachina, again with local food and flamenco dancers - the home of the pina colada. They claim they invented it - yes i did try one and it was ok - more pineapple than coconut. Main course was a mofongo ... read more

Signs of being back in the USA After our passage from the Dominican Republic our first anchorage in Puerto Rico was Boquerón. This is a small resort town located in the southwest corner of the island. It not an official port of entry, therefore we had to get transportation to the customs and immigration office in Mayaguez. In order to do this we found Raul who has a business providing transport for cruisers back and forth for $15 per person. We made the arrangement and got checked in without any problems. It did however cost us $27.50. This was for some customs sticker that was required. Bob was to say the least a little perturbed by the idea that he had to pay to get back into his own country. When was the last time any ... read more

Arrived in San Juan in the early afternoon, a quick car ride from the airport. Got checked into the fabulous Hotel El Convento in the heart of the old city. Then, got out on foot to explore the old city squares, the cathedral, and the old Spanish forts guarding for ships from the Atlantic.... read more