ADVENTURE/ABC's Aug 20-27,2016 REVIEW w/lots of photos

[Hoopster95]

There is so much to do and see in Puerto Rico besides old San Juan... Condado area, beaches, the Rainforest. I suspect many on this board have walked through Old San Juan so I will not spend too much time with explanations. Do post or email me if you have any questions about anything you see. A great idea here is to follow along with google maps

 

After complimentary continental breakfast with cafe latte or americano served, we went up to view Plaza Colon and our first glimpse of Castillo San Cristobal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_de_Col%C3%B3n

 

 

 

 

But gf, having never been to San Juan, wished to walk the streets first and get a feel for the culture and architecture all around San Juan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiguo_Casino_de_Puerto_Rico

 

 

 

Roaming west from Plaza Colon on Calle San Fransisco, you'll reach Parroquia San Francisco de Asis built in 1765, a nice little church worth a short visit with an interesting crypt

 

 

[Hoopster95]

Continuing west on Calle San Franscisco, we continued to meander up the street, admiring the architecture and window shopping. Note the lack of people!... it's low season here and there's not a single ship in port.

 

 

 

PLaza Del Armas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_de_Armas,_San_Juan

 

 

 

 

 

This is called the 'Telluric Totem', made of ceramic and black granite to commemorate of the Quincentennial of the Discovery of San Juan in 1992 (500 years). Located in Plaza del Quinto Centenario, the totem is 12 meters high and is the symbol of the indigenous roots.

 

 

 

 

Institute of Puerto Rican Culture

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Puerto_Rican_Culture

 

[Hoopster95]

And now from this vantage point, our first glimpse of my very favorite place to visit in Old San Juan whenever I visit, Castillo San Felipe del Morro

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_San_Felipe_del_Morro

 

 

 

If you zoom in on the pic below, you'll see operating hours and entrance fees.

 

 

 

I took the image below to show those who have never been here that there are free trams that transport visitors from one fort to the other (the other fort being San Cristobal - pics on day 1). There is also a free trolley bus with about 20 stops all around Old San Juan, and there is a bus stop right here as well.

 

 

 

 

This place is magnificent... pictures do not justify

 

[Hoopster95]

For those who are mobility challenged, unfortunately you'll have difficulties visiting here as this fortress is made of various levels, tunnels, stair cases and ramps.

The rangers offer free tours and maps when entering, tours are at designated times throughout the day.

Have I mentioned that I love this place? I'm never bored here, just gorgeous and interesting every time. I'll let the pictures do the talking....

 

 

 

 

Note the walking/jogging path on the pic below against the ocean. Called Paseo Del Morro, it runs from San Juan Gate out to the very tip of the fort and dead ends... it's simply a jogging/walking path and nothing more, no access to this pathway from the fort

 

 

 

Edited August 30, 2016 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

 

 

 

 

[Hoopster95]

If you are able to arrange a visit here properly, I think a Saturday morning (which would include a ranger tour as well as the lighthouse) would be ideal. I would allot around 3 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several areas are only accessible with the presence of a ranger... such as the lighthouse, and only on Saturday mornings! I was able to view and document the lighthouse last December (on Jewel, a review I didn't do here on CC). My photos from that trip are better than this, so I may go back and do a review of San Juan and the ports of call from that trip too

 

[Hoopster95]

Walking away from Del Morro, there's plenty of more architecture, plazas, statues and things to admire. Making our way down on Calle del Cristo, we reach San Juan Bautista Cathedral

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catedral_Metropolitana_Bas%C3%ADlica_de_San_Juan_Bautista_(San_Juan,_Puerto_Rico)

Circa 1540, this Cathedral is worth a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the side rooms remains untouched to it's original condition.

 

 

 

As part of our adventuring, right across the street we walked into the Hotel Convento to check it out... what a gorgeous hotel!!! I had noticed it when booking Cervantes, but it was a little m ore expensive. Have seen it in person now, I would book there in a heartbeat.... super super nice with an inner courtyard, a little higher end. For those of you looking for an upper end experience in a cultural/old building setting, this could be for you.

[Hoopster95]

Parque Las Palomas

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g147320-d148551-Reviews-Parque_de_las_Palomas-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

 

 

 

 

La Raices Fountain found at the end of the Paseo del La Princesa

http://www.discoveringpuertorico.com/paseo-de-la-princesa-in-old-san-juan/

 

 

 

[Hoopster95]

Although I have no good pics to share, the following tip is very much worth mentioning.

I had booked on line a dinner at 'Marmelade' restaurant.

Rated #1 of 710 restaurants overall in San Juan, read some of the reviews if you are interested:

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g147320-d792961-Reviews-Marmalade_Restaurant_Wine_Bar-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

Whether you're a foodie or not, this place was just excellent and one of best memories for this trip. All the reviews are true! I equate this to a 3 hour excursion on RCL... we ordered the 6 course wine pairing menu. It was an experience, the food was over the top to die for, and wines were outstanding. Service was exceptional; and I was amazed at the knowledge the waiters had to explain the food and answer further questions with technical detail. The Chef/Owner himself walked around the restaurant to greet people at tables. By far and away I would have to say this may have been the very best meal of my entire life... and also the very most expensive :eek:

Seriously... any of you out there who feel life is short and wish to experience the very best life has to offer within reason as a one time event, book dinner here. Every review you read is true. And it is truly very expensive.

 

Marmelade was only a 2 block walk from the hotel... and after an unbelievable dinner, we headed up one more block to check out the Nuyorican Cafe, a very well known salsa/merengue bar with live bands, the place to be in Old San Juan for night life on the weekends. Admittedly, we didn't last very long as we were bagged! Off to bed we went to rest up for tomorrow... A morning at San Cristobal and then embarkation

[drarill]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know this Puerto Rican flag used to be painted with the right colors? blue, red and white.... In July someone changed the colors to black and white to reflect the dark period our country is going through, due to the economic crisis. You can see the before and after on this link

https://www.buzzfeed.com/adriancarrasquillo/artists-paint-over-famous-door-in-puerto-rico-because-of-isl?utm_term=.brMX6NZoo1#.qevJwbYoo2

[Ocean Boy]

Awesome pictures. I love seeing other people's picture of places that I have been.

 

Was this a special sailing or is Adventure doing this itinerary on a regular basis? I'd love getting in the three ABC islands as well as St. Maarten.

[murphy4]

Following along, doing this itinerary in Feb 2017. Does the AOS leave from Old San Juan or the Pan American where the Jewel leaves from ?

[Ron Don]

Taking same itinerary in less than 30 days, WOOHOO!! Looking forward to your story :D:D

[Daycare Provider]

The one from on top of the hill from the fort is St. Marteen, dinner on the beach is Aruba...I cant remember where the car on the cliff picture is taken

[Daycare Provider]

Walking away from Del Morro, there's plenty of more architecture, plazas, statues and things to admire. Making our way down on Calle del Cristo, we reach San Juan Bautista Cathedral

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catedral_Metropolitana_Bas%C3%ADlica_de_San_Juan_Bautista_(San_Juan,_Puerto_Rico)

Circa 1540, this Cathedral is worth a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the side rooms remains untouched to it's original condition.

 

 

 

As part of our adventuring, right across the street we walked into the Hotel Convento to check it out... what a gorgeous hotel!!! I had noticed it when booking Cervantes, but it was a little m ore expensive. Have seen it in person now, I would book there in a heartbeat.... super super nice with an inner courtyard, a little higher end. For those of you looking for an upper end experience in a cultural/old building setting, this could be for you.

 

Did you see the Ponce DeLeon Marker in the chuch?

[Clarea]

Following along, doing this itinerary in Feb 2017. Does the AOS leave from Old San Juan or the Pan American where the Jewel leaves from ?

Pan American.

[us2nh]

Following

[Hoopster95]

Do you know this Puerto Rican flag used to be painted with the right colors? blue, red and white.... In July someone changed the colors to black and white to reflect the dark period our country is going through, due to the economic crisis. You can see the before and after on this link

https://www.buzzfeed.com/adriancarrasquillo/artists-paint-over-famous-door-in-puerto-rico-because-of-isl?utm_term=.brMX6NZoo1#.qevJwbYoo2

 

I didn't know this. I just checked some older pictures and there it was in color. Thank you for pointing this out :)

[Hoopster95]

Awesome pictures. I love seeing other people's picture of places that I have been.

 

Was this a special sailing or is Adventure doing this itinerary on a regular basis? I'd love getting in the three ABC islands as well as St. Maarten.

 

The ABC's are mostly regular every 2nd week now. Note that up to Nov 2016 St Thomas and/or St. Kitts are mixed in instead of Bonaire and/or St Marten... Dec 2016 onward looks like it's ABC's regularly

[Hoopster95]

Did you see the Ponce DeLeon Marker in the chuch?

 

No! I just googled it and I didn't even see it. Darn

[Hoopster95]

The one from on top of the hill from the fort is St. Marteen, dinner on the beach is Aruba...I cant remember where the car on the cliff picture is taken

 

 

DING DING DING!!! Well done Daycare re the fort in St. Marten :D

I'll have full reviews and more great photos when I get to those days.

Re-capping the photos

 

(1)

This photo is taken on the eastbound on-ramp onto the Queen Juliana bridge in Curacao, with a great view of Otrabanda & Punda below. I've seen a few things posted in the past... there is a walking path, there isn't a walking path, there is space to pull over and take picture, there isn't a place, etc etc etc... well, I've got the 100% goods in this review and I'll provide photos. This isn't an official pullover spot as my car was hanging over the shoulder about 1/3 width. I pulled in behind another tourist taxi who was in front of me as I got onto the ramp and thought what the heck... he's partially blocking the lane, so I will also really fast to snap a few pics. As I finished taking pics, another car pulled in behind me and stopped to take pics.

 

 

 

(2)

This is the dinner on the beach experience at Barefoot Beach.

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g147248-d1883689-r115141913-Barefoot_Restaurant-Oranjestad_Aruba.html

http://www.barefootaruba.com/

It's a 5 min $10 cab from the pier and worth every penny to enjoy this atmosphere with my toes in the sand! Aruba's airport is extremely close by and you also get to enjoy the "Maho Beach" effect with low flying landings just down the beach from here. All in all one of my favorite memories on this trip and an extremely great evening. Like Marmelade in San Juan, reservations are a must for sunset dinner... the restaurant was full (on a Wednesday evening) with only one ship in port.

(Btw, this photo is with my regular hand held point-and-shoot Sony with lens and flash issues!!! No photo-shopping, editing, nothing! This is really what we saw sitting there having dinner)

 

 

 

(3)

Another one of my favorite memories of the trip is the hour'ish we spent up at Fort St. Louis, looking over the town of Marigot and Simpson's Bay in St Marten. I have not seen an RCL (or private for that matter) that says you get to spend time here. It's not a massive fort, and there's really no exhibits or anything... very raw place, but just totally gorgeous up there with the view in all directions.

 

Edited August 31, 2016 by Hoopster95

[Hoopster95]

Following along, doing this itinerary in Feb 2017. Does the AOS leave from Old San Juan or the Pan American where the Jewel leaves from ?

 

Pan American.

 

Yep, thx Bob! :)

murhpy4, further to Bob's answer, any ship that home ports in San Juan uses Pan American Pier. Ships which visit San Juan for a day use the Old San Juan pier. I assume that could change in the future, but for now that's the way it is.

[Hoopster95]

After a great sleep and another nice breakfast/Americano at the hotel, we confirmed check-out is noon, so we left our luggage in our rooms ready to go upon our return. We left for our 5 minute/4 block walk up the hill to San Cristobal and got there just after 9am opening.

 

 

 

San Cristobal, while part of the same wall system encircling Old San Juan and is somewhat the same as El Morro, is actually quite different and definitely worth the visit, so don't think that they are the same. I fully recommend if time permits on your vacation plans either a pre or post full day visit in San Juan to make time for both forts.

 

 

 

 

I believe the main difference between the two forts is San Cristobal's tunnel system and dungeons to hold prisoners. There is one specific dungeon that has been preserved and also has original inscriptions and drawings on the rock walls preserved behind glass. I'm 5'11"... you can see the approximate height of the tunnels with me standing there at the gate. My tunnel photos from my Jewel trip are awesome as we did not spend anytime this time around going through the system. I'll be sure to include them when I do that review.

 

 

 

[perfect match]

I really want to visit the ABC islands. An itinerary that includes stops at each of those islands will most likely be the next cruise I will book, so I am looking forwzrd to following your review. I've already bookmarked Barefoot on the Beach in Aruba! :D

 

Great picture from San Juan!

Edited August 31, 2016 by perfect match

[Hoopster95]

There are placards, various rooms with exhibits and signage everywhere. The rangers here also provide regular scheduled tours, with also a special tunnel tour through locked gates which I've never been on. Whether your in San Juan on a port stop or for a full day, this is another must see site.