Our Visit to Castillo de San Cristobal

While in Old San Juan we visited Castillo de San Cristobal, the largest fortification ever built by the Spanish in the New World and is on the northeast side of San Juan. This massive Fort covers 27 acres and it was awesome and beautiful at the same time. Here is Lidia posing on the land side of the Fort.

Here is Arnold in one of the "Garitas" (Sentry Boxes) which provided lookout points for the soldiers and this one down low closest to the ocean was known as the ‘Devils Sentry Box’.

San Cristobal's gunners dueled with US Navy warships during a day long bombardment on May 12, 1898. Six months later Puerto Rico became a US territory by terms of the Treaty of Paris which ended the Spanish-American War. In 1949 - San Juan declared this a National Historic Site. And in 1961 - The US Army moved out of the forts of Old San Juan, and they become the jurisdiction of the US National Park Service, to be preserved solely as museums. Nina-Skye & her plush Coqui Frog souvenir...

Our Day in Old San Juan

What a WONDERFUL DAY!

Today Arnold, Nina-Skye, Lidia, James and I caught the "A5 Bus" to Old San Juan to continue doing the Tourist thang and we had a great time again! Even though it was HOT, we leisurely walked, talked & perused Old San Juan and its souvenir shops. San Juan is a major port and tourist resort of the West Indies and is the oldest city under the U.S flag. During the early 16th century, San Juan was the point of departure of Spanish expeditions to charter or settle unknown parts of the New World. Here I am hanging on the street corner of Calle De O'Donnell!

After we all enjoyed a nice cool water ice to cool us down a bit...we admired the beautiful architecture & vibrant colors of this 465-year-old neighborhood originally designed as a military stronghold. Its 7-square-block area has evolved into a very charming residential and commercial district built upon narrow, steep and sometimes heavily congested cobblestone streets. The city includes more than 400 carefully restored 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial buildings.

By late afternoon we were all HOT, Tired and Thirsty {just look a Nina-Skye's RED cheeks in the picture below}! LoL! Luckily, we stumbled upon a quaint and beautiful little Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar restaurant named "Sofia's" at 355 San Francisco Street. {www.ristorantesofia.com} I TRULY recommend this place if you are ever in Old San Juan...it was a great change of pace from all of the Puerto Rican cuisine we had been enjoying and the food was delicious! I had the Pistacchie Mele which was a mixed greens salad w/apples, pistachios, gorgonzola cheese in an orange-balsamic vinaigrette dressing...delicious...and their Salmon Sandwich...delicious! The kids had their Pizza...delicious! Lidia & Arnold said their food was delicious...In other words the food was...you guessed it...delicious! LOL!

After our late lunch we ventured back to a very busy square where we came across the "Bird Man!" This guy had 3 Puerto Rican Parrots whom he allowed you to take pictures with and they danced and chirped songs. We were amazed that when James said he wanted to take a picture with the Parrots, Nina-Skye said, "Me too!" And here she is as the Bird Man is situating another Parrott James...she is just a smilin' with this Parrott on her arm as if this is normal behavior...lol! We were shocked that she was so BRAVE! It was a GREAT day!!

Dinner at Mi Casita

On Monday, March 29th we had dinner at "Mi Casita Restaurant" located at la plazoleta de isla verde. There was some "drama" going on outside of the restaurant when we arrived thanks to this cocky New York dude, but we decided to wait and try the resturant anyway. We had a bit of a wait, but the food made it well worth it! Here's James, Nina-Skye, Dare & Lidia above and Lidia & Arnold below. I'd say we all look good to be SOOOOOOOOOO tired... Here is my Shrimp Mofongo dish!

Nina-Skye "cheesing" with her delicious Shrimp Alfredo dish...and yes it was a LOT, but she made sure she ate ALL of the shrimp out of it...lol! Lidia's Pork tips & Onions, Mofongo and soup... And the WINNER of the evening, Arnold's Seafood Paella with Salad and fried plaintains...DELICIOUS!

Our Day @ the El Yunque National Rainforest

Alright...here my baby is 5 years old...and she visit's her very 1st Rainforest! How awesome of a blessing is that?!?!?! Today we went on our excursion with two other families to the cool, tranquil, steep mountainous, sub-tropical El Yunque National Rainforest. This is the only rainforest in the United States Forest Service and is on the Eastern Side of the Luquillo Mountains on the island of Puerto Rico. It was an hour drive from San Juan to El Yunque.

Nina-Skye at the El Portal Visitors Center...

The Yokahu Tower: "According to ancient Indian Legend, the good spirit 'Yuquiyu' (or 'Yokahu') reigned on his mighty mountain-top throne, protecting Puerto Rico and it's people."

Arnold & Nina-Skye at the top of the Yokahu Tower...man...I know it was the "Good Spirit" which helped me up those 98 steps! LOL!I don't know if it were due to the time of season, but there wasn't a lot of color in bloom in El Yunque, but is sure was beautifully lush & green.
We didn't see any Puerto Rican Parrots or Coqui frogs but we did see a few little lizards!

Eight hours later we returned from El Yunque National Rainforest hot & exhausted, to the Ritz...So we met up with our Friends Lidia and her son James to take a dip in the pool...

WOW! What a day!

Spring Break in San Juan!

We arrived safe and sound in San Juan and had no problem collecting our luggage. {Again I say BLESS the LORD!} The transportation company which picked us up were waiting just before baggage claim with a sign with all of our names on it. {Awwww...ain't that special?} It is a shame however, that the company named "Elegant Steering" picked us up in a regular looking white van. Anyway, the driver was very nice and gave us a few suggestions of where to eat as he drove us to the Ritz Carlton San Juan!

After checking in we un-packed and waited for my girl Lidia and her son James to make it to San Juan. They live in a small town an hour away called Yabucoa. {See map above} Once they made it to their hotel & checked-in, we all met for dinner at a nice restaurant within walking distance from The Ritz Carlton named, Plato's Restaurant at 2 Rosa Street, Isla Verde Section of San Juan. Here is Arnold, Nina-Skye, Me, James & Lidia after our delicious dinner!
This is what Lidia ordered and "schooled" us on, this dish is called "Mofongo". It is a Puerto Rican staple which is a mound of fried plantains which are mashed together with broth, garlic and Olive oil. It is then combined with seafood, meat, or vegetables. We enjoyed it! And Arnold's Shrimp ASOPAO was even better, which is a type of soup/stew dish. To round out a very LONG and full day {which started at 4 am}, Lidia, James, Nina-Skye & I headed to the Pool at the Ritz. Here's our two little ones enjoying themselves...

Off to the Airport!

This is our little traveler in the Airport headed to the gate. We surprised her and didn't tell her we were going away for Spring Break until we arrived at BWI Airport. She thought she was going to Auntie Dee Dei's house. {He! He! He!} Here she is happy to be on the plane...

Nina-Skye "happily" prancing through the San Juan Airport with her Daddy on our way to baggage claim. We had a very pleasant 3 1/2 hour flight! Bless The Lord!!

Welcome Spring!