This day was different than our usual, because we had booked months ago with a local extremely well recommended private tour operator. Which is pretty much a family who owns a few vans and do exclusive and private tours around San Juan. They are called "Charlie's tours".
So our expectations were high as we wanted to be 100% sure we had everything READY and ON TIME.
The ship had only 5 pitiful hours docked on San Juan. So we wanted to squeeze as much as possible by visiting most of the historical sites of OLD SAN JUAN.
We woke up fairly early this day, the ship was already getting close to San Juan and was passing thru the El Morro when we decided to take breakfast.
This time, like on Sint Maarten.. we decided to eat on the WindJammer to see the approach and the docking.
The interesting part is, there was a Carnival ship already docked, and another very big one was moving right behind the Oasis (the Carnival Magic)
View attachment 168498
Old San Juan was truly beautiful. Tons of classic buildings, with modern ones, all with a variety of colors. Not to mention the walls and the decked ships that populated the bay.
Now something weird happened. After docking. We got ready and checked the clock and we got ready to get to the exit ( the gangway/ramp). And we waited.. and waited.. and waited.. and waited..
View attachment 168499 The magic Getting close to the dock.
View attachment 168500 The Glory right next to us and the Magic.
We noticed that the shipcrew was not cleared to drop as well. Turns out they gave priority to the huge Carnival Magic to dock. And nobody could move until the ship was heavily tied down and their ramps lowered as well.
We waited a hefty 45 minutes.. (which the Oasis added in the end to the docking time, so we left later than expected from San Juan)
And the lines were pretty big to get down from the ship.
First, the crewstaff had to go down, prepare things outside, then the new staff came in(shift change?) then we finally were cleared to leave the ship.
View attachment 168501
It was interesting to be right between 2 behemots..
Anyway we were finally scanned and left the ship area.. where 2 photographers and 2 handsome pair (girl and guy in "sailor suit) were taking photos. Mother definitively wanted one, which she bought later on.
View attachment 168502
Once we got down, we followed the instructions to find the "meeting point" for the cruise guy.
Turns out the father was not available, he had to go to the USA. So his son Carlitos (Charlie Jr) was going to be our guide.
Despite his difficulty speaking spanish as he was soo used to only offer tours in english, he did a phenomenal job getting us from there and here with so little time.
We boarded his Van which also had snacks and drinks (very welcome since it was scorching hot)
And then he told us to drop a few blocks away, where he needed to park.
Then we went walking to start the tour of old San Juan. by Walking in the Paseo de la Princesa.
View attachment 168503
The whole area was very clean and well maintained.. It was definitively a beautiful town.
Note that the building on the left.. was used to be a jail, maintained outside the reinforced san juan walls.
Now its the tourism company.
View attachment 168504
Our Tour essentially started near the fountain. Which featured the 2 flags of PR and USA.
View attachment 168505
There was hardly people nearby so the whole thing was even more peaceful.
Big win for me, so I could understand better what he was explaining about the tour. The story, the walls, the wars, the doors..etc..
There was some restoration going on as well. By cleaning the walls and leaving in their color and state they should have been during their prime.
View attachment 168506
The fortifications were indeed impressive. Surrounding the entire old San Juan except for the area facing the docks, which had most of the walls destroyed to let the city expand. Because old Castillo San Cristobal pretty much covered the entire town with huge fortifications, canon and artillery areas, as well as many "onlooking" towers(garitas) for spotters.
View attachment 168507
There was some newer sculptures on the way as well. But we had no idea what these were for other than "ART"
What was most impressive was the old trees AND these monstrous walls.. no seriously.. these walls were like.. from 6 to 10 meters wide.. It required 2 double doors of heavy reinforced wood to let people enter the town (there were more than 6 doors, now only one remains for historical purposes).
This tree supposedly has more than 100 years. Maybe more, didnt hear very well.
And the famous last remaining reinforced double door.
"Puerta de San Juan"
Note the huge curved room.. that is the "width" of the monstrous wall that the spanish built to defend San Juan.
Supposedly some of these doors are still the original dating back to the final years of the spanish ownership.
This is very close to the "La fortaleza" castle and now government building.
Once inside, you could instantly notice the old cobblestone. Most of it dating from the Spanish era as well. Most of the rocks and cobblestone is severely damaged. Our guide told us its mostly because of the cars.
There were tons of cats roaming around as well. Probably good to kill vermin in this area.
My mother of course, wanted to see some of the main churches of the area.
Unfortunately for her, it was still too early and it was closed.
Interesting rules about the buildings in San Juan. You are NOT allowed to have your house painted of the same color as any of your neighbors.. You must follow certain guidelines or face fines up to 300 USD a DAY. This is to prevent any disruption in the tone and style of San Juan.
This old Convento was transformed into a luxury hotel and restaurant.
It was very pretty, reminds me of these spanish conventos that were transformed into hotels in the city of Puebla in Mexico.
There were also plenty of sculptures in these small plazas.
Facing "La Fortaleza".
And one of the most hilarious stories..
a Rich spoiled man, lost control of his horses AND carriage.. as they ran at max speed towards the abyss.. supposedly the horses got loose and the carriage barely managed to stop by the precipice.
The man built this chapel with the name of "the miracle". or "Capilla del Santo Cristo de la Salud (saint Christ of health)
There was a small park on the right of this chapel,full of very violent and hungry doves.
He told us that the birds can even attack you to get food (including perching and poking your face and hair). Which I witnessed (lots of doves attacking the shoes of a tourist lol). It was a goofy scene that would merit a space in the movie BIRDS.
After this spot, we turned left. This area had excellent view of the bay. and as well another interesting story.
(ps,god bless our hats.. the sun was burning!)
Anyway the story..
There were 2 houses next to each other, with a small separation between them.
A homeless man took claim of that space and built one of the smallest houses in the world.
The house currently is close for renovations and they claim it will be a museum. The house has 3 floors and only has like.. 1 meter of width but with a lot of depth and height.
There was some buildings with very nice details..
including this one, which was supposedly one of the best restaurants of old San Juan.
Now have a Monstrous Panorama!
Note the remnants of the Walls still visible and holding steady.
This one has a well maintained garita.
Then it was time to return to the car. Because we were going to get to CASTILLO SAN CRISTOBAL.
The way down was very pleasant, again more fountains, sculptures and old fort walls.
Some random Photos of the same area:
http://i.imgur.com/C15YwNI.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LePHzJu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/O1RvMKh.jpg
Tune in for Part 2!
My James does some plastic canvas projects when he has the time. As for general crafting I was very lucky in grammar school I had an art teacher who introduced us to many different crafts.
