It used to be the butter, but in recent years it’s the jam! When there’s no jam for breakfast we know we’re in US waters. Today we have to clear US immigration, the ship has to past both a US Coast Guard examination and a USHHS heath test.
As we approach the “fifty first” state, otherwise known as Puerto Rico, we effectively enter US jurisdiction. Having been Spanish for 405 years, in 1897 our cousins waged a war against them and within ten weeks had acquired the territory - the rest, as they say, is history. Since 1917 all Puerto Rican’s are now US citizens, although because it’s not a proper state they don’t have a vote, but they do have immigration-free access to America. The country exploded in the 1950s when the US gave many grants and other rights, having been a significant key in the wartime defences.
Today we’re in San Juan, named by Columbus after St John the Baptist like several in the Caribbean. The old city is very heavily fortified and we intend to see much of this, all situated on a small island that forms one side of an impressive natural harbour. We first walk to the eastern end of the island to the tiny fort of San Jerónimo del Boquerón and then make our return along the rugged northern coast.
We pass university building, the Capitol, San Juan himself, and on the the next fort - Castillo San Christobal, which dates from 1760s. Views are spectacular, the walls are astonishingly deep, it’s remarkably intact and very interesting.
Continuing on the the end of the island there’s also Castillo San Felipe del Morro but we decide we don’t need to add on another fort, so head off into the old town after passing the 500 year anniversary totem.
The town is a cross-hatch of tiny streets, with some fabulous buildings and extremely colourful. There are too many people and too many cars, but it’s a great spectacle nevertheless.
We enjoy a wander for a while until it’s feeling a bit like lunchtime and wander back home. After which it’s jacuzzi and pool time, we watch MSC’s Seascape as we depart and then the pilot leave us beyond the harbour, until the sun starts to set.
Dinner is at TK, it’s generally very good although I see, to find fault with the quality of the beef, hubby disagrees but hey-ho, I’m pedantic - it’s written in my DNA. However it is a good dinner, lobster Thermidor and lobster’ n’ Mac / rib eye / chocolate cake / cookies which we give away.
Later the ship’s company delivers a motown review which we really enjoy, and then return home to a single red rose on our bed - how adorable are our stewardesses?
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