Terry and I had a short twenty hours to explore Old San Juan
before we had to board the Millennium for our cruise, and that included sleeping.
We crammed everything possible into those few hours ~ story of our trip.
Once we were home in Aurora, I collapsed on our bed and slept for many hours.
So did Terry.
Up Calle de San Sebastián
Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
April 14, 2023
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Down Calle de San Sebastián
April 14, 2023
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An Actual Flat Spot on Calle de San Sebastián
April 14, 2023
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The next morning, when we finally found out how to get to the fort El Morro,
we discovered that we were 180º turned around in our directions.
That was a shock to me, because I'm usually very good at directions.
Many of the streets in Old San Juan seem to go up and/or down,
and many of them are named after male Roman Catholic Saints.
When we did find a street sign, we'd get the saints mixed up.
Our Street, Calle San José, Which We Were Always Trying to Find
Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
April 15, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
So we wandered and we found things planned and unplanned:
Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista
April 14, 2023
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Catedral Metropolitana Basílica de San Juan Bautista or
Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist
is one of the oldest buildings in San Juan,
the oldest cathedral in the United States,
and is the second oldest cathedral in the Americas.
It celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2021.
Juan Ponce de León is buried here,
an early explorer who fascinated me when I was a girl,
because he was searching for a fountain of youth.
Now I'd join him in the search!
Plaza de Armas
April 14, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Plaza de Armas or Main Square dates back to Spanish colonial times.
It was designed to be San Juan's main town square.
The sunlit building on the left is San Juan's official town hall.
It was constructed in stages from 1604 to 1789.
Its current structure and facade on the plaza date to 1840
and were designed by architect Pedro García.
Locals, tourists, and pigeons enjoy hanging out here.
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The main feature in Plaza de Armas is a lovely fountain with four marble statues.
Originally the statues representing the four seasons stood in the four corners of the plaza.
The Marble Statue Representing Winter
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Terry Walking Past San Juan's Town Hall in the Plaza
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Father and Son Enjoying the Pigeons
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Walking Tower the East End of the Plaza de Armas
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The Poet's Passage
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The Poet's Passage is a combination of cafe and book store
with open mic nights featuring local poets.
🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
Terry Approaches Bastión de las Palmas de San José
At the Intersection of Calle Tetuán and Calle de San José
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Bastión de las Palmas de San José or Bastion of the Palms of San José
is located at the end of San José Street where it intersects with Calle Tetuán.
It overlooks San Juan Bay, the busiest harbor in Puerto Rico.
The bay's most important function over the last 500 years
has been to link Puerto Rico with the rest of the world.
The small park around Bastión de las Palmas is a great spot
to relax and enjoy the views of San Juan, San Juan Bay,
the cruise ship terminal, and the old city walls.
Watching a Ferry with Ferries del Caribe Departing
Bastión de las Palmas de San José
At the Intersection of Calle Tetuán and Calle de San José
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The Bastión de las Palmas de San José is an angled fortification
and is part of the masonry walls that once encircled San Juan beginning in 1783.
Bastions were added to defensive walls to provide additional reach
and a better range of angles to fire cannon and muskets.
They also helped create confusion for attackers.
Paseo de la Princesa runs along the base of the wall in this location.
The Bastión de las Palmas de San José and the Old City Walls
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🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
We wandered about taking in the sights and eventually landed at Anita Gelato
where we enjoyed some welcome and delicious gelato.
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No Thanks! I keep my distance from snakes!
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Lots of visitors want to see the "Umbrella Street" on Calle de la Fortaleza.
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Anita Gelato is considered the best place to have gelato in Puerto Rico.
65 Calle de la Fortaleza
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It's a good thing that Terry and I decided to split a small cup!
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🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
Next we went on a hunt for the Decanter Hotel
in a restored 19th century colonial-style building
at the intersection of Calle de San José and Calle de la Luna.
On the Hunt and Back on Calle de San Sebastián
April 14, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Terry's research had recommended the Bar Catedral Rooftop on the top floor
of the hotel as a great place to have cocktails and dinner.
The night views of the cathedral and the city were spectacular.
It was a small cozy bar, and we had to patiently wait for seats.
It was well worth it, for we shared delicious food and enjoyed excellent cocktails.
This prime spot overlooking the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist
was continually reserved for large groups.
April 14, 2023
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Terry Orders Drinks at the Bar Catedral Rooftop While We Wait for Seats
April 14, 2023
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We scored seats at the bar and shared a salad and a hummus dish.
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The friendly bartenders will mix you a custom mocktail.
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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It's always fun to sit at the bar!
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Finally we headed back to our hotel and crashed after a very long day.
🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴
I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date and Nicole's Friday Face Off.
And for Nicole's FFO I have a very special face to share:
Natalie Hembrock, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The Atlantic Veterinary College
University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Recipient of the Class of 2023 Mental Health Stewardship Award
May 16, 2023
Dr. Heembrock Receives Her White Coat
Who Has Stood by Her Since Her Undergraduate Days at Acadia University
Terry and I could not be prouder of our niece Natalie.
This amazing young woman overcame many obstacles pursuing her doctorate.
She is the personification of determination and perseverance!
We wish her many fulfilling and happy days as a veterinary!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
My next post will be soon! 🤞
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Lots and lots to see. No wonder you were tired. The street of Umbrellas is an amazing sight. Thank you for sharing some of the highlights.. Was that the small gelato?
ReplyDeleteHuge congratulations to your niece.
Thanks, Sue! I was wiped out, having started out at 2:30 am in Denver and crashing at 11:00 pm in San Juan. The bed in our AB&B was divine! And yes, that was a small gelato ~ So delicious. I picked limoncello and Terry picked a pistachio mint, and we shared both flavors. When we return 🤞, we will definitely return to Anita Gelato. btw, there are two Anita Gelatos in Australia, one in Sydney and one in Brisbane. Enjoy your day, my friend!
DeleteThe city is so bubbly. The street scenes are so great with a positive vibe.
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with Old San Juan, Roentare! I can't wait to return! Have a great week!
DeleteCongratulations to Natalie. Anyone committed to the care and welfare of animals is a winner in my book.
ReplyDeleteMine too, David! All the best to you, another person who cares deeply about animals!
DeleteBeautiful scenery!
ReplyDelete"Juan Ponce de León is buried here,"
Ironic.
Thanks, Sandi! It is ironic because he died at the age of 46 or 47. Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteThe Poet's Passage has a cool storefront. And that was a SMALL gelato? Holy moly! Congrats to your niece Natalie the vet!
ReplyDeleteYes, Debra, that was a small gelato! When I get back to Old San Juan, I'm definitely returning to Anita Gelato with Terry. Maybe we'll go for a medium one to share next time ~ lol! There are so many marvelous flavors in the place!
DeleteSometimes, that's the best way to explore a town. Just wander. We found a couple real treasures in London by just wandering, including the church that inspired the wedding cake.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex! I had to go look that church up. Ironically it's called St. Brides's! I hope you are enjoying your weekend!
Deleteit was pleasure to walk along you in the beautiful streets of Sant Juan dear Louise :)
ReplyDeletei enjoyed the serene and less crowded city walk so much with your spectacular photos and description .
i can relate how tiring it can be to take wander of popular places of the city in target time at this part of age . with time i feel despite of all the fondness for travel we get tired soon unlike earlier .
walking behind Terry and taking photos is what i do during our visits ,not hubby but this irritates children who are always in hurry for something else :)
loved each view but plaza fountain is most favorite :) and statues representing seasons look amazing .
loved the cruise shot too .
how nice you had dinner at roof top what a fun :)
heartfelt congratulations to your gorgeous brave and passionate niece my friend ! she indeed is an inspiration for so many .i have mentioned to my whole family because of her exceptional strength and unusual struggle in life she is gem !
you have an amazingly talented and lovely family and i can see how and why you are such unique and sweet soul! hugs
You are unfailing kind and affirming, my dear Baili! It's definitely hard to get older and find I get tired sooner, but my desire to learn, experience, and do as much as I can continues to grow ~ lol.
DeleteI am, as the photos show, nearly always walking behind Terry. He has learned that the best way to deal with me and my camera is to keep moving forward at a slow and steady pace. If I fall too far behind he usually stops and waits. I'm always running to catch up with him and falling behind again. There are so many interesting things to see. I'm often thinking of Anthony Doerr's quote, "Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever."
I was fortunate to be born into a large and loving extended family. My father was an only child (His one sister died shortly after she was born.), and he never got over the feeling of being alone when he was a child. So he was determined to have several children. A goal he met and surpassed. My mother lost a sister too. The baby was allergic to milk and essentially starved to death. Other babies died as well in my extended family. So babies were treasured and loved by everyone. I am happy that the love and closeness of family is a value that has passed on to our next generation.
Much love and hugs to you and your family!
0ooh what picturesque sceneries and interesting places you have seen and visited 🤩
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to lovely Natalie 👍
Happy weekend to you 💚💐
Happy weekend to you too, Sirkkis! Traveling is one of my favorite things to do in life, and I'm grateful I have a chance to share my experiences with others. Our extended family is beyond proud of Natalie. She is an amazing young lady. All the best to you, my friend!
DeleteYou must have been more than exhausted seeing so much in just a day.. Congrats to your clever niece, great achievement! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteHugs back at you, Valerie! Terry and I were happily exhausted. The older I get, the more I realize how brief and precious life is. I'm trying to learn and enjoy as much as I can while I can. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend!
DeleteBig congrats to your niece. Enjoyed the photos
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine! I'm going to pass all these lovely congrats on to Natalie! Have a great week!
DeleteI've never been to Puerto Rico, but San Juan looks like a neat place to visit and explore. Congratulations to Natalie
ReplyDeleteOld San Juan is a special place, Jeff. You can really feel the faith and power of the RCC 500 years ago. I learned a new word today: rogativa. It means a plea to God for help. I walked by an intriguing statue on our way to El Morro that commemorated a women-led procession that took place in San Juan in 1797. At the time the British controlled San Juan by a naval blockage and they were about to invade. The sight of the hundreds of torches carried by the women spooked the British because they thought reinforcements had arrived to help San Juan. They cancelled the invasion and left. I loved that story. Enjoy your weekend, Jeff!
Delete...Louise, it been 60 years since I visited Puerto Rico and it sure looks great. The architecture is beautiful. That is a small cup of gelato? The large cup must be huge! Your niece sure is a pretty and happy young lady! Take care and enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tom! Yes, that was a "small" gelato ~ lol. I spent an enjoyable time at my favorite bookstore this afternoon. I browsed through a stack of books and magazines while having coffee and a blueberry scone. That's something I try to do every three weeks or so. I escaped with a copy of "Writers Digest," but I added four books to my list of books that I want to read. I hope you and your wife are having a happy and enjoyable weekend!
DeleteOld San Juan looks amazing. I must add that to my (very long) bucket list. It looks like that part of your adventure was amazing. And congrats to your niece. That is a huge honor. You must be proud of her. Have a wonderful long weekend Louise. I won't be around for a few Fridays as I am off to Iceland next week. I'll have to catch up on your travels when I get back. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erika! I hope you have a fabulous time in Iceland! It is an amazing country, especially for a geologist like me. It has something for everyone. I hope you share lots of pictures. When you return home, I highly recommend reading Halldór Laxness's novel "Independent People" which won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1955. What a book! What a country! I hope you have a chance to soak in the Blue Lagoon. It literally sits on top of the Mid-Atlantic Rift!
DeleteOhhhh, I feel like I have been on this trip with you. What a fabulous place. However, I am so happy for Natalie and a huge congratulations to her. I was a Vet Tech so I know how hard she worked to get her degree. Wonderful and I am so happy you shared Natalie with FFO. Thank you. Have a lovely day today.
ReplyDeleteI have had a lovely day, Nicole! I spent a couple of hours at my favorite books store. Fortunately I only came home with a magazine. It's such a tempting place! My family is so proud of of Natalie. She's claimed the first doctorate on our family tree. I wish my parents were alive to know what a wonderful young woman she is. Hugs to you, my friend!
DeleteHappy Sunday Fundy. Remember to link to Sunday Smiles
ReplyDeleteHERE
Much💖love
Happy Sunday to you, Gillena!
DeleteOh Louise, San Juan is so beautiful and colorful and I think I would die going up all those hills, I am not surprised you were exhausted when you go home :) And Juan Ponce De Leon was one of my favorite explorers as a teenager and yes if only there was a fountain of youth (though I fear if there really were our populations would become so great that we would all end up starving to death ... ugh:( ). So it is so cool that you visited the Cathedral that he is buried in.
ReplyDeleteThe town square is gorgeous and it is hard to imagine that it dates back so far. I love the fountain and the statue of winter (did you get pictures of the other seasons?) We have places for poets to read poetry in a lot of out big cities, but I'll bet none of them are so inviting and red and I love the little models of buildings on the second floor. The Bastion de las Palmas is an impressive fort which I have read about sometime in my past. So many beautiful sites and Gelato ... I would die for :) The food looks great and I would have that mock cocktail :)
Congratulations to your niece, Natalie ... my granddaughter is working on her masters and waiting to be accepted into a college of Veterinary Science. She still has a long row to hoe, but like your niece, she has persevered through many obstacles already and I suspect she will make it to her goal. This was a delightful post, Louise ... I think I will have to add San Juan to my bucket list ... I wish I had a travel planner like yours :) Stay well and enjoy the Spring in Aurora (I once had a friend that lived in Aurora and I have visited there many times, but she in now living in Texas :)
Andrea @ From the Sol
Thank you for your kind and generous comment, Andrea! As you can tell, I loved exploring Old San Juan. I've started drinking mocktails, because I can only handle one alcoholic drink a "session," and I try to limit "sessions" to a couple of days a week. Thank goodness more and more places are making delicious mocktails! Congratulations to your granddaughter on going after her dreams. She'll get there, one day at a time. Vet school is tough, but it's a wonderful career once you get through it. People who love and care for animals are special human beings. My niece Natalie, who just graduated, spent the days since moving from Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia. She and Jake were unpacking everything in their new home. Yesterday they were ordered to evacuate because of forest fire blew up quickly outside of Halifax. They managed to get out with their animals and go to Jake's parents' home. They were up all night, and poor Jake had to start his new job today. The Halifax fire authorities say evacuated people won't be able to go back to their homes for several days. So Natalie will be starting her new job as an evacuee as well. Buildings and houses have burned, but so far their house is safe. The authorities aren't sure of exactly which properties have been destroyed.🤞 I feel sorry for all the people who have been displaced. But that's life, isn't it? You never know what will happen! And there are so many people suffering around the world. We have been enjoying a beautiful spring in Aurora except for some days that were smoky from the wildfires in Alberta. I hope that you are enjoying Memorial Weekend. Love and hugs to you! Take care!
DeleteThanks for linking to SSs.
ReplyDeleteYou had a great time. Getting lost was part of the fun.
Much💖love
Hi, Gillena! I realized after I went to bed last night that I just linked to my previous post. Next time I'll try to have a postcard! lol! Have a great week! Love and hugs to you!
Deletehaha how did Terry take getting lost after he had everything all planned out? Some people aren't too fond of it.
ReplyDeleteFun what you see though when you do get turned around. And yeah, best to take it all in and sleep when you get home. Those hills remind me of Looneyburg though. Oh how I've gone up and down those things one too many times.
The umbrella street is neat and looks like a great spot to get a drink and eat you found on the rooftop too.
Congrats to your niece. Hopefully she enjoys many great years as a vet.
Hi, Pat! Sorry to be late in replying. I haven't had internet access or a number of days, and what I have now is sketchy. Terry had things well-planned, but the streets were a maze and we didn't have internet unless we were in our room. But it was fun exploring. Yes, Looneyburg is hilly ~ I've been up and down those hills myself. I hope all is well with you. Take care, my friend!
DeleteNever been to PR but I hear amazing things
ReplyDeleteHi, Adam! I'm just replying now because I have been without internet for a number of days. What I have now isn't great. PR was a lot o fun, and I definitely hope to get back. I hope all is well with you, your wife, and your family! Have a great rest of the weekend.
Deletei enjoyed viewing all the photos you shared, they are so colorful and beautiful and fun.
ReplyDeleteJULIE ANN LOZADA BLOG
JULIE ANN LOZADA INSTAGRAM
LOVED San Juan. A stop on our cruise decades ago, it was quickly a favorite (and a great workout for the calves on those hills!). The castle was awesome and the jewelry stores . . . don't get me started.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nancy! Isn't San Juan amazing? I loved every minute there. I managed to get my IWSG post up mid-afternoon today. I was late because of flying home from Vegas yesterday. I hope you have had fun visiting around today.
DeleteThe colors were what fascinated me in Puerto Rico...that and the music! Beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee! The colors fascinated me too! Puerto Rico is a vibrant place. Thanks for visiting and commenting on my post. I finally did get my IWSG post up this afternoon. Take care!
DeleteCongratulations to your niece! And wow, I love the look at your trip and your insights. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tyrean! I really loved San Juan, and I can't wait to return. Thanks for reading and commenting on this post. I was late getting my IWSG post up today. Enjoy the rest of June!
Delete