December 27, 2023

San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is located on the northeastern coast of the island, and is known for its historic old town, stunning beaches, and vibrant culture. The city is a popular tourist destination, offering a blend of historic architecture, modern amenities, and a rich culinary scene.

Ponce de Leon never did find the Fountain of Youth but he did stumble upon the island of Puerto Rico! San Juan is the second oldest European settlement in the Americas and the entire city is still enclosed by the original fortress walls dating back to the early 1500s.

The government of Puerto Rico is a representative democratic government. The executive branch is led by the governor, who is elected by the citizens of Puerto Rico. The legislative branch consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Puerto Rico has a non-voting representative in the U.S. Congress – it has been a US possession since 1899. The island operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. federal government while also maintaining its own local government and constitution. All Puerto Ricans are US citizens and have been since 1917 so they can vote in national presidential elections if they are a legal resident in one of the 50 states. The population of people living on the island compared with those living in the states is roughly equivalent, approximately 4 million each. Puerto Ricans have voted three times to maintain their status as a commonwealth vs becoming a state.

We have been here several times but not in quite a few years. Mark, Ramsay, Norm and I went out for a walk through old town to the fort. Adam explored on his own. Here are some of the sights we passed on the way.

The old town is quite well maintained and is much cleaner than last time we were here.

On the walk to the fort, we passed lots of cats. One of the local residents told us that there is a foundation that takes care of the cats. Here is one that posed for us. As you can see, it was a beautiful day for a walk.

As we approached the fort, we saw many iguanas. Mark got this shot of one that was calmly munching on grass.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, also known as El Morro, is a 16th-century citadel located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is a prominent historic landmark that played a crucial role in defending the city from attacks by sea. The fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is renowned for its breathtaking views of the coastline and the vast ocean.

The fortress, with its iconic, imposing walls, stands as a testament to the rich history of Puerto Rico and the resilience of its people. There are many tunnels, dungeons, barracks, and ramparts to explore. You can really get an understanding about the strategic significance of the fort when you visit.

We were told that a cannon firing exhibition would be happening soon after we arrived. The guide said they hadn’t done one for a while and it took them some time to set up. The first firing was a misfire so we continued to tour the castle since it would take 10 minutes before they could reload. We heard one firing, then a second one happened just as we got back to that area. It is very loud!

We usually do trivia at 4:30 but during dinner with Damien, the executive chef, Raffaele Saia, came by our table and asked if we would like to do a galley tour and of course we were all thrilled to be able to do that. So we gathered at reception and after a few minutes of waiting, Damien rushed by and apologized – it is tomorrow! So we hurried in to trivia where Leslie was surprised to see us. David and Dorothy were there and were glad we joined them.

We had the second Oceania Club cocktail party and at this one the HR manager gave out service awards to several staff members. They are usually a bit shy in front of the guests, but we love when they are recognized, especially since some of them work behind the scenes on the ship.

The deck department’s tree was voted the best. The entries line the way into Horizons where the party was held.

Our dinner tonight was in the new restaurant, Ember. It is only on Vista, so it was a first for us. We really enjoyed everything. We thought the decor was beautiful, loved the open kitchen and the “fireplace”. I couldn’t finish my entree OR my dessert.

The show tonight was The Anchor Inn, another production cast show. It was in the setting of a British Pub and was just terrific. What a talented cast.

After the show Mark, Ramsay and Adam went to Horizons for karaoke (to watch!) and I played in the casino. We all had a good night.

Tomorrow we are at sea before our last port in the Bahamas on Friday.