Puerto Rico

I checked in, received pre-assigned crap  seats, a cruiseship due to leave from Puerto Rico was causing havac from as far as Miami with frantic overweight senior travellers slowly clogging up the system. I opted for a walk from the airport. My bus direction clearly indicated I would have to change busses after just a short 3 minute ride, NO PROBLEM!!! I can walk that, but in what direction do I go?
A good 30 minutes later from a walk along a freeway and through tunnels I found myself in the area of Isla Verde, right where I needed to be. After missing the first 3 busses (pure stupidity, don’t ask) I finally boarded the bus towards Miramar. I hit up a conversation with a young Puerto Rican Jewellery maker, she welcomed me to PR and eagerly suggested must see sites. I was gifted with an anklets to remember her by before she climbed off the bus.
My hostel was pleasantly located in a very local area, also described as a “bad part of town” depending on wether you like your glass half full or empty. The rooms were small but served their purpose, they had 3 outdoor terraces, 2 kitchens, located near bottle shop and a bus depot – at $12.00 per night who could complain? The 1st day started early with a walk hunting for brekky. I passed Condado beach and chose a basic little café, nothing fancy but it did the trick and was full with locals. This is always a guarantee for me, if it’s good enough for the locals, it’s gotta be good enough for me!

The streets of old San Juan

I continued to the old forts and explored around the run down structures, ancient tunnels, dungeons and lookouts. From there I made my way into old San Juan, a typical tourist trap. The colourful colonial type building were pretty but I fail to understand why it requires a mark up of a gazillion percent on everything purchased. I spent a good 7 hours walking and discovering San Juan, on just my first day. By mid afternoon my feet were sore, I felt hungry, and tired but I was pleasantly satisfied with my days work.

Street view of San Juan

 

The view from the old forts.

Although I must say that I just don’t get cruises!!!! This isn’t some random rant, Puerto Rico is just packed with tourist from departing Cruises and while visiting I was blown away by the people interested in such a crappy holiday. Imagine the ad ” Do you like to wait in line for everything?? How about cramping up small islands around the world and getting ripped off from every shop and venue??? Do you want to be the target of petty thievery? If you said yes to the above, are grossly overweight, are over the age of 65 or just love tacky over priced junk of where you’ve been to, WELL THEN WHY NOT TAKE A CRUISE??? Blows me away!!