San Juan, Puerto Rico – 12/17/2014 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

December 17, 2014 (Wednesday)

Today we got up early (around 8:00 AM). We opened our curtains and saw the old fort of San Juan. It was magical from the sea. We went down to the Black Crab Restaurant and had breakfast. We talked to one couple at the table, they live in Florida but were from Puerto Rico. They had family picking them up for a visit while in Puerto Rico. We enjoyed talking to them.

We got to talk to the kids by phone, which was nice to hear their voices. I think this has been the longest we haven’t talked to them and we were missing hearing from them. Everything is going well. Lexi started a new job. She’s getting many more hours and the commute is so much closer. She’s also loving her new boss. Aaron and Arla are doing well, as are all the grandpuppies.

We got off the ship at around 9:00 AM and walked down the pier. When we got outside the security area we were approached by a tour guide who said they could give us a three hour tour for $20.00. We followed him to the bus and we left for the tour within fifteen minutes. The bus driver/tour guide spoke in a very heavy Spanish accent and it was difficult at times to understand him.

This was a gas truck, selling in 5 gallon containers. 7 grades, 99 to 116 octane, never seen anything like that.

The tour took us to the new area of San Juan, the old town, the fort, the Capitol building, and the statues of the presidents who have visited Puerto Rico. The Capitol building was spectacular and reminded us of the places in Italy. Just beautiful. So glad we took the tour and got to see so much of the city. If we get here again (and I’m hopeful we will), we want to see the rain forest.

Roberto on the far left, our tour guide. President Ford's statue. — Roberto on the far left, our tour guide. President Ford’s statue.

Barrack Obama's Statue. — Barrack Obama’s statue.

TR by himself. Hard to believe he died at 61, such a young age.

There are so many statues everywhere, nice ones. This is too the poor farmers. — There are so many statues everywhere. Nice ones. This is to the poor farmers.

Hard to get into the Christmas spirit on a cruise in the Caribean. — Hard to get into the Christmas spirit on a cruise in the Caribbean.

Million dollar condo's. — Million dollar condos.

A calm beach without many waves that families like for their kids. — A calm beach without many waves; families like for their kids.

Pretty woman following me into the capitol building. — Pretty woman following me into the Capitol building.

I really admired the curved marble features.

The most beautiful building on the island.

The old fort is neat to walk around and look at.

Edie and I both thought that the graveyard will be wiped out by a wave, though it has been there since the 1500's. — Edie and I both thought that the graveyard will be wiped out by a wave, though it has been there since the 1500’s.

Ferry between Old San Juan and New San Juan.

Edie a blended Margarita. — Edie had a blended margarita.

Grumpy with Senior Frog. — Grumpy with Senor Frog.

After the tour was over we decided just to walk around for awhile. We got to see a lovely little park with lots of vendors around. We also got to hear a local school band playing. Very energetic and fun. It was hot today and the kids in the band weren’t even breaking a sweat.

Michael and I were tired of walking but didn’t want to go back to the ship quite yet so we went into Senor Frog’s Restaurant and had a drink and a little snack. Pretty expensive but it’s a fun place and right across the street from our ship. We got back to the ship around 2:00 PM. The ship was supposed to sail at 4:00 PM but it was delayed two hours due to a medical emergency of one of the guests.

We went to the Black Crab Restaurant for dinner and the only other couple at the table with us were Ron and Shirley, from Florida but originally from Wisconsin. They’ve given us great pointers on what to see and where to go in Wisconsin when we get there. The dinner was pretty good. I had a mushroom and polenta appetizer, a salad, a steak and baked potato. Michael had the mushroom and polenta, split pea soup, and a chicken breast. Michael and I each had a dessert – brownie and chocolate raspberry with ice cream.