Around 1:30, I was able to let the security guard at the adjacent Condado Plaza Hotel allow me onto the property to have lunch at their outdoor restaurant. Upon the waiter’s suggestion, I ordered ceviche, a marinated seafood “salad,” this one comprised of fresh, raw mahi-mahi, salmon, and tuna. A delicious choice! After that, I went back to the beach for a bit longer before heading back to the hotel.

After a quick shower, my parents and I took the bus to Old San Juan to catch the ferry to another part of the city where the Bacardi Rum distillery is located. Before the free tour, we were each given two tickets which we could turn in for Bacardi drinks of choice. I had a piña colada (served in small, plastic cups) before the tour and a Bacardi Razz and Coke after. The tour was kind of disappointing; you don’t get to see any real part of the distilling process, just some basic history spoken by tour guides, a short film, a recreation of the original factory in Cuba, a couple of original–now each worth $1M–Bacardi bottles with hand-written labels, and a quick demo by a bartender. Eh. I did buy some glasses at the store and a mixer, so I suppose it wasn’t all bad.

The day was rounded off by having dinner outside in Old San Juan. I ordered red snapper ($18) but it wasn’t too news-worthy. By the time we walked along the pier back to the bus station, a couple of cruise ships had already pulled out, but a few were still docked and blazing in all of their electric glory. This is the first time I’ve seen a cruise ship up close, and wow do they amaze me. The size of them is just jaw-dropping, and I can’t even begin to imagine how many rooms, how much gas, electricity, water, waste, employees, etc is use. I think I would love taking a cruise in order to leave the thinking and planning up to the ship, spending my days lounging outside and reading.

Tomorrow will provide more free time and another day for me to consume yet another piña colada. ;o)

Toward the end of the 1.5 hour-long trek, we had time to stop and strip down to our swimsuits and enjoy a large waterfall. Brrr, the water was muy frio! After that, the bus wound its way down the mountain but not without stopping at a tower in which we could climb the 96 stairs to take in an amazing view of the surrounding forest and also our next destination in the distance, Luquillo Beach.

The colors at Luquillo Beach were amazingly perfecto: blue blue water, bright green and yellow palms, and white, billowing clouds. The sun was shining brightly, so it was a treat to get into the almost hottub-warm water. We were there for only two hours, but I definitely came away with a visible tan line. I also indulged in my daily piña colada along with an empanadilla de carne and a serving of passion fruit helado.

Tomorrow will be a day of rest and relaxation, bringing the travel way down to a slow crawl. I’m too wiped out to know what I’ll be in the mood for, but I just might walk to a beach and read under some shade. Or maybe just chill in bed and watch some TV. Or go to a museum of Puerto Rican art. Who knows. I’ll try to fill you in mañana!

I am sure that I already have a tan, even after only one day here. After getting a good night’s rest and slowly getting going today, we finally hopped on the bus to Old San Juan. We spent the late morning through 6pm there, walking around and seeing plenty of historical sights, places and fortifications that the Spaniards had built. Ultimately impressive is El Morro, fully named Castillo San Felipe del Morro (morro meaning headland or promontory, which is what this fort was built on). What a great place for exploring, with 6 levels of fortification.

What was just as cool (or maybe even cooler) is that the land leading up to El Morro is this vast expanse of green in which families come on weekends to fly kites! So many kites were flying today, even some that stretched well beyond 500 feet, out over the ocean and past the fort. It seemed like a wonderful place to come to while growing up as a kid.

I should also add that I am well on my way to the “one piña colada per day” challenge while I’m here. My first piña colada was consumed during lunch today at the restaurant that claims to have invented the drink in 1963. I think I drank all of the alcohol within the first few sips, because it was REALLY strong, and after that, the rest tasted only like juice. Tasty though!

I didn’t know what to expect of the culture or people here, in terms of relating to Mexico or other Latino-populated countries. But I think this country is more infused with diversity than Mexico seems to be. We don’t stick out like a sore thumb, and thank goodness I don’t get cat-called at. However, we are in a highly touristy area during the peak tourist season, so who knows.

Tomorrow, we head to El Yunque Rainforest, one of the most visited places here, and to a beach for a couple of hours afterward. It should prove to be relaxing because we hired a driver and tour guide. Less decision-making = good.