Day 8 - San Juan, Puerto Rico

The port of San Juan annually accommodates nearly 1.4 million passengers in cruise ship travel alone, making it the 3rd busiest port in the world.  We arrived at the port that morning before 6 am.  It was April Fools Day and we had called for a wake-up call to Brandon and Jodi's room around 3 am (but being the last day, they didn't get their April Fool's wake up call (nor did we get ours) so we slept in and had to skip out on our last meal there.  We decided to do 'self-assist' off the ship where we carried our own luggage which made us one of the first ones off the ship that morning.  We then took a taxi near the entrance of Old San Juan where we walked the city and visited El Morro (a citadel with a commanding view of the entrance to San Juan Harbor, located at the end of Old San Juan.  

Founded in 1509, San Juan became a walled city protected by multiple forts.  It guarded an important entrance into the Spanish Main, and withstood multiple attacks by the British and the Dutch.  Due to its military significance, the government kept the growing population within the city walls until 1897, when a few bastians were demolished.  The forts received some naval bombardment from US naval ships during the Spanish American War in 1898.  Much of the district is in tact architecturally, including the impressive fortifications.  Old San Juan is primarily made up of one-way cobblestone roads.

A sign outside that we passed on our way to El Morro said, "Wall construction began around 1630 and was not complete until 1790.  When the city wall was done, it was formidable.  It measured three miles long and completely encircled Old San Juan.  From here, you have a superb view of a long section of San Juan historical walls.  As you look at this wall, try to imagine being on the crew that built it around the 1640s without modern machinery, stone by stone.  Its builders included skilled sconecutters and masons, laborers, soldiers, convicts and slaves.  

Brandon and Nick doing some watch shopping

Nick and I both agreed that this trip was spectacular!  It was one of the most fun trips we have been on together!  We loved every minute of it.  Brandon and Jodi were awesome traveling friends and we had such a great time spending every day with them on some new adventure.  Thanks for going with us!  We had a blast and are ready to plan our next one together!  Also thanks to Gma Julie and Gpa Gary for watching the boys for the 10 days we were gone.  They had fun at your place and missed them.  It was a good reunion after a relaxing and fun trip.