“Forto Rico”

The island of Puerto Rico is a fortress.   As the ship docked in San Juan we walked to the well preserved site of Castillo San Cristobal.   As you look down the coast you can see the rock wall has surrounded the city.     The turrets around the forts are shaped like Spanish  helmets.   Conquistadors   We enjoyed seeing the history of the island.   We walked down the coast toward the other, very famous, fort, “El Morro”   Between the two forts is a cemetery built in the early 1800’s        The entrance to “El Morro” in front of the gate is a large field, where most of the battles were fought, hopping to keep the battle outside the fort itself.  A light house was built in the mid 1800’s  Many countries wanted to have Puerto Rico for their island.    It was a very desired piece if real estate.  The doors of old San Juan!        As we walked the cobblestone roads of the city, we saw so many doors.   They were so colorful and unique.    We couldn’t resist stopping by a street vendor and tasting the food of “Old San Juan”

The large red door was the entrance to the city for the very honored guests and dignitaries of other countries.   There are other sea entrances, but this was for the very privileged. 

goodbye “Forto Rico”  and the governors blue mansion.    And goodbye to the leper hospital across the way.    Sickness in the fort had to be separated with so many people in close quarters. Here is our “towel turtle”                  Buenos notches 

The morning of the “Iguana”

Wednesday morning we woke up in St. Thomas USVI.    Verne and I bought tickets to ride a gondola to the hill overlooking the harbor.   At the top we had a bottle of water.    It was 85 degrees and we were soooooo not used to that.   Climbing the stair to the ride we noticed an iguana scurrying through the rocks.    I knew the grandsons would love to see one of those.    Found iguana figurines at a gift shop!!!!  Drove to the other side of the island to “Meagan’s Beach”   beautiful water and we cooled off for about 2 hours.   When we drove back into town we took little side allies of small shops.   We had been there about 19 years ago when I bought some pretty white Caribbean napkins.

 This trip . . .                       I bought some more.

“Serenity” Deck

No one under 21 year of age and at the front of the ship.   Soft cushion chairs, 82 degree weather, and of course . . . ice cream cones anytime we wanted.   Don’t we look serene?   This was a day of cruising and reading books.    Fun, Fun, Fun

Monday in the Bahamas

We woke up in the Bahamas and walked down the pier to the town. Took a taksi and saw the sights, poor, and wealthy too.   Went to a fort “Fincastle”  where the islands used cannons as protection.   When we climbed up the stairs you could see for miles. From the fort we walked to “The Queen’s Staircase”  The stairs were cut out by the island slaves to honor Queen Victoria, who freed them.Hello Atlantis!!!  This is where the wealthy hang out.   A fountain in front with winged horses.  The water, yachts, and the brightly colored townhouses were amazing.   The aquatic design of the resort was so fun.  Conk shells for rain gutters, sea horses holding up the balconies, roofs were covered in assorted sea shells.   It was beautiful!!!  

Goodbye Atlantis!   Now it’s time to sail away, and enjoy our lobster dinner.  This was a fancy dinner,  Jeff even wore a bow tie.    Each night after dinner our bed was turned down and a towel was shaped into a cute little animal.   OOH.