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Hamster Dancin' Around the World

Forums: Penny, Hamster, Travel, Hamster Travels, Stofftierreise
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CalamityJane
 
  1  
Reply Sat 14 Jul, 2007 08:05 pm
Great pictures, Eva!! I wish I had that pina colada right now, looks so inviting. San Juan is beautiful! How was the weather there?
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sat 14 Jul, 2007 08:06 pm
Our hotel was several more blocks uphill and we were still winded, so we decided to take a cab. Penny did a double-take when we passed this truck. (So did I!)

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2905/puertorico2007067au9.jpg
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sat 14 Jul, 2007 08:11 pm
Oh, I'm glad you're all enjoying the photos! We certainly had fun taking them!

Old San Juan was beautiful, and the weather was just great. Highs in the mid-80s and sunny every day.
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sat 14 Jul, 2007 08:17 pm
Another beautiful street in Old San Juan. Yes, those are cobblestone streets, and the stones are glazed in a lovely blue-gray color.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7991/puertorico2007048yn9.jpg
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ossobuco
 
  1  
Reply Sat 14 Jul, 2007 08:32 pm
Tighty parking, I see....

but -- gorgeous place.
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Diane
 
  1  
Reply Sat 14 Jul, 2007 10:27 pm
Penny's travels have been a pleasure.

Old San Juan is lovely. How were the people? Did you notice any ugly Americans? I've heard some stories that made my skin crawl.
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Walter Hinteler
 
  1  
Reply Sat 14 Jul, 2007 11:36 pm
Great photos! (And 'no', sozlet, Penny wasn't scared: she even liked to talked with the security personal!)
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caribou
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 07:00 am
BM
I like seeing what Penny is up to next.
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 05:55 pm
The city of San Juan was founded by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new world in 1493. It was named for St. John the Baptist. In typical Spanish fashion, it was a walled city. The massive stone walls and fortifications are still in place. One day we walked along the waterfront, just outside the walls. The walkway is lined with parks, fountains and statues. Here's a detail of one fountain we especially liked.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3307/puertorico2007060rm5.jpg
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sozobe
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 05:57 pm
Really enjoying the pics and accompanying commentary, thanks!

(I just realized that we haven't planned where Penny is going next, have we? Canadian leg?)
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 05:58 pm
A scene from one of the waterfront parks. We sat here in the shade and enjoyed a cool drink.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5103/puertorico2007057jd5.jpg
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:02 pm
Continuing along the walkway, we came to the Main Gate of the old city. Just to the left of the photo is a bay with a rocky beach. If you had come to San Juan in the 1500s-1800s, your ship would have docked here, and this is where you would have entered the city.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9262/puertorico2007062ys2.jpg
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:23 pm
One of the most famous sights in Old San Juan is El Morro, the huge Spanish fort at one end of the city that guards the mouth of the harbor. The Spanish began building it in 1539, but it is so massive it took them 250 years to complete it. (Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.) Fascinating place, great views. The cannon are even still in place.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4251/puertorico2007009aw2.jpg

(Yes, that's Penny's nose at the bottom left.)
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:27 pm
El Morro, Main Gate
The walkway behind Penny replaced the original drawbridge, and the moat has been filled in (where grass is now.)

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2586/puertorico2007011wr3.jpg
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:30 pm
This ramp was used to move cannon and heavy ammunition from one level of the fort to another. (Touring El Morro involves lots of walking and stair climbing.)

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4173/puertorico2007029lm0.jpg
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:32 pm
The main courtyard of the fort. In the background, at right, is the lighthouse.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/373/puertorico2007026ax5.jpg
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:34 pm
The walls of El Morro

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/8593/puertorico2007034jl4.jpg
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:41 pm
Penny thought the "garitas" were especially interesting. These sentry posts were built at various locations along the walls. They had several long, narrow windows so guards could keep a lookout in several directions, yet be protected from the weather and attacks. These were also built in many places around the city walls...not just at the forts. They are a common symbol of Old San Juan.

(wait for picture)
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sozobe
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:44 pm
(enjoying!)
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Eva
 
  1  
Reply Sun 15 Jul, 2007 06:47 pm
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6664/puertorico2007033fx8.jpg
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