January 18th, 2016
You know, it really has not been bad at all. The weather here, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, has been perfect when you think of what winters we have had these past few years. But, now that it has gotten a bit colder I see that some of my friends are taking off for milder climates.
I just thought that one place where you will have warm weather year round is Puerto Rico. One of my favorites cities is Old San Juan. It is so romantic and a National Historic Landmark District.
And one of my favorite walks is Paseo de La Princesa. It is perfect for a power walk, or for just checking out the vendors that come during the week-ends to sell handmade Puerto Rican artifacts.
Just follow the walk and you will see how beautiful it is.
The group of sculptures is called Raices or Roots, and symbolizes the roots that gave birth to Puerto Rico cultural heritage.
Continue walking, we are heading towards the San Juan Gate.
The San Juan Gate is named after Saint John the Baptist. This gate was built in 1635 and it is the last remaining of San Juan’s principal gates.
When I was younger you were able to drive through the Gate, but now is just walking.
My cousin, Sonia, and I continued walking on a very hot day along the walled City. The wall was started in 1630 and finished in 1798. The wall was 3miles long and encircled the whole City of Old San Juan.
Preserving San Juan National Historic Site…helping to save the historic wall. There is a lot of erosion of wind, rain, and ocean waves. The riprap was finished in the 1990s, the concrete coating sprayed onto the slope is called shotcrete.
You can walk all the way to the back of El Morro Fort, and it is a great walk but remember that you will have to walk back. There is no way to access the other side of town at the end.
I forgot to tell you to take some water with you. There is a water fountain at the end of the walk but the water is warm.
The small island across the channel is Isla de Cabra. It is also the site of Fort San Juan de La Cruz, a vital link in San Juan’s defense system. Today it is a recreation area managed by the Commonwealth.
Entering the City through the San Juan Gate will be perfect to continue your walk through Old San Juan.
When walking through Old San Juan please wear comfortable shoes. The streets are most all cobblestones. The original blue cobblestones are there to see, but soon many of them will be replaced by new ones. The original ones called in Spanish adoquines were cast from iron slag, which is the waste from iron smelting. The first came to the island as ballast in the bottom of European merchant ships circa 1700s. In Calle del Cristo you are sure to see original ones.
La Fortaleza is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico in Old San Juan. On this photo is at the end of the street.
But if you are walking Paseo de La Princesa you can see it. When I was visiting, it was under renovation.
With all the problems Puerto Rico has at the moments, financial and otherwise, it is still a beautiful island, worth exploring.
October 19th, 2015
On November 19, 1493 Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to claim lands for the Rulers of Spain. When he arrived the island was called Borinquen by the Indians who lived there, but Columbus named it San Juan Bautista. Old San Juan is 522 years old.
It has diverse architectural and historic treasures and these make Old San Juan quite distinct from any other place in the world. It has lively plazas, parks, and promenades, restaurants, and plenty of shopping as well. One such shop that I visited was Spicy Caribbee located at 154 Cristo Street or Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan, PR 00901 Tel. 787-725-4690 Website? http://www.spicycaribbee.com
Follow them on Facebook.
Their Spicy Caribbee line is their own recipe and has been created to make cooking fun. They have been serving customers since 1988. They do ship and there is also online shopping, as well. The photo shows Sica, the owner, taking care of customers.
The hot sauces looked amazing. It is their recipe and they are made for them. You can buy individual bottles or the small crates. Some of the sauces are hot and others are more a condiment to enhance your cooking like the Ginger and Garlic.
If you are in the store you will be able to sample some of the sauces before purchasing.
Coffee is so much of a part of the Puerto Rican tradition. At any time of the day a cup of coffee is always offered. Their coffee is from Hacienda San Pedro, which is a family tradition for 4 generations.
Rag Dolls, homemade in Puerto Rico are a tradition….their particular ones were so cute and my little granddaughter, Sophia, got one of them.
Their tropical jams are prepared just for them, as well. Banana, Mango, Guava, Pineapple, Mango Pineapple and Hot Pepper Jam…use them on toast, pastries or in any cooking were you want to add a bit of the Caribbean. Honeys and teas!! Remember that they can ship everything to your home.
Rubs are so easy. Just rub your chicken, steak, or fish and then decide your method of cooking it….got some of the rubs!!
So as the weather begins to cool off in the Northeast….the Caribbean is warm year-round.
Have a good one!!
August 10th, 2014
Summer Travel? Yes, Puerto Rico, year round!! I was just talking to my cousin in Puerto Rico and she told me that it is a spectacular day in La Isla del Encanto.
Locals in Old San Juan take to The Castle of El Morro, which was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century. It was needed to protect Old San Juan from attacks by French and English buccaneers.
On a beautiful sunny day, having fun at El Morro is a must.
Old San Juan is a city protected by a wall….The Paseo de La Princesa is very walkable and gorgeous.
Stroll on Calle Del Cristo on the cobblestones take some maneuvering….but you can do it. The Chapel at the end is full of history and forklore.
Many of the old 17th and 18th century Spanish houses have been restored and now serve as attractive shops, restaurants, and museums.
A stop at Rosa de Triana, a traditional Spanish Tasca is what we did. This building was built in 1523. It is one of the first structures of the Old San Juan Government Center during the XVI century. It was also the first City Hall.
It is located in one of my favorite streets in Old San Juan #72 Caleta de San Juan, across El Convento Hotel. Tel. 787-722-1144.
 
We sat by the cellars which also served as the first jail of the capital. The walls were so thick that cell phones did not work well inside, which was a good thing ,by the way.
 
We ordered tapas for the table: Boquerones, Sorullos, Salchichas, Pulpo, Papitas, and plenty Sangria.
So easy to get to Puerto Rico….major airlines, no passport, English is spoken. See you.
February 13th, 2014
 
You cannot blame me for the continuation of my posts on the Island of Puerto Rico. Have you looked outside today? Delaware Beaches are getting rain but the tri-state area is getting snow. So, Puerto Rico, is a quick get-away for many. Only a few hours from major airports in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, PA. No passport needed. Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the U.S. English is spoken for the most part throughout the island.
One of my favorite cities in Puerto Rico is Old San Juan. Strolling through Old San Juan will set you back over 500 years. Gorgeous cobblestone streets, wear comfortable shoes. This walled city is so unique that the United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. It is a 7 block museum, where people, live, shop, dine, and party.
A few months ago a friend stayed in Old San Juan with her husband. Both were so surprised to see and experience how Spanish the island is. Not Latin American but Spanish from Spain…food, buildings, and traditions.
I don’t have to think twice when someone asks me where to stay in Old San Juan. My answer is always the same: El Convento Hotel, located at 100 Cristo St. Tel. 787-723-9020. Website? http://www.elconvento.com.
 
Hotel Convento…the word convento is convent; it was a Carmelite Convent 356 years ago. In 1959, under Operation Bootstrap….Operation Bootstrap gave U.S. companies tax incentives to come to Puerto Rico. Hotels, Pharmaceutical companies and Oil companies came to the island looking for those benefits.
Robert Frederic Woolworth, heir to the Woolworth fortune, began converting the convent into the El Convento Hotel in 1959. Since then, other major renovations have taken place in the 1990s and in the 2000s. The hotel has 58 rooms, and several restaurants.
 
El Convento has a rooftop pool. Visiting the Island of Puerto Rico would not be complete if you do not visit its beaches, as well. El Convento has beach and pool privileges at La Concha Hotel located on Ashford Avenue in the Condado section of San Juan and in Isla Verde at the Marriott Hotel. These are both great beaches if you are in San Juan.
The forecast for the Delaware Beaches looks pretty good this week-end. Hard to believe that you think it is warm when the temperatures raise to 40 degrees!! Oh, well spring is around the corner.
See you,
February 9th, 2014
 
Puerto Rico is pretty popular this year. Many visitors looking for the swaying palm trees and warm weather. Too cold and snowy this winter.
Visiting the island of Puerto Rico is not just basking in the warm sun…the island is full of history.
When I saw the man selling the guiro I had to take his picture. I was never an expert playing this percussion instrument, but I don’t think you need to. Just play it.
The guiro is a traditional Puertorican music instrument believed to have originated from the Tainos. It is a notched hollowed-out instrument.
It is made by carving the shell of the gourd and carving parallel fluting on its surface.
To play it hold it on your left hand with the thumb inserted into the back hole to keep it in place. The right hand holds the scraper and plays the instrument. Check the photo above.
The scraper is also called a “pua”. Scrape up ad down. The guiro is usually played by a singer. It is more for folk music than for salsa.
See you!!
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