Sullivans' Travels

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Puerto Rico 2012

February 14-23, 2012
To celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary we visited warm, sunny Puerto Rico (always a good time to get out of New England!)
We spent 6 nights in the capital city of San Juan which included spending 2 days exploring the city, with it's charming Old Town and it's fashionable, contemporary beach and resort area. We spent the next 3 days venturing out to see other parts of the island via day trips.
The Spanish influence, history and architecture captivated us as we wandered through the cobble-stoned streets of Old Town San Juan. And the vibrant, modern area of Condado kept us busy strolling along the hotel-lined beaches and exploring the many bars, shops and restaurants.
We visited the lush rain forest of El Yunque, the southern coastal town of Ponce and then did a beautiful scenic drive through the central mountainous region via the "Ruta Panoramica".
Then we left the main island and flew to the island of Vieques, 8 miles to the southeast. What drew us to Vieques was the Bioluminescent Bay (also known as Mosquito Bay). It is one of the only places in the world where you can experience the magical luminescence created by micro-organisms (dinoflagellates) which glow whenever the water is disturbed, sparkling like fireflies in the water!
Unfortunately, this phenomenon can't really be captured in photos so we don't have any of this awesome experience, but it was like nothing we've ever seen before!!
Another lure of Vieques is it's laid-back, isolated nature....and breath-taking beaches that you can have virtually all to yourself! This was a great place to wind down and relax before heading back to the mainland for one last night in lively, vibrant San Juan before heading back home.
These are just some of our favorite photos that try to capture the essence of the beauty, charm and history of Puerto Rico.
Hope you enjoy them!
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  • Gorgeous overview of the city of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, founded in 1521 by Juan Ponce de León.
The Old Town in the foreground is dominated by the San Felipe del Morro Fort and hotels and beach resorts fill the newer, modern part of town in the background.

    Gorgeous overview of the city of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, founded in 1521 by Juan Ponce de León. The Old Town in the foreground is dominated by the San Felipe del Morro Fort and hotels and beach resorts fill the newer, modern part of town in the background.

  • Castillo San Felipe del Morro (also known as El Morro Fort)
Built by the Spaniards between 1540 and 1783 to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay, and defend the city of Old San Juan.
It was named in honor of King Philip II of Spain.

    Castillo San Felipe del Morro (also known as El Morro Fort) Built by the Spaniards between 1540 and 1783 to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay, and defend the city of Old San Juan. It was named in honor of King Philip II of Spain.

  • Outer walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Outer walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

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  • Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • Entrance to Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Entrance to Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • The immense walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    The immense walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • Beautiful views around every corner
Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Beautiful views around every corner Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • Looking out over the Atlantic Ocean from one of the towers of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Looking out over the Atlantic Ocean from one of the towers of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • The defensive walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    The defensive walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • Watchtower of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Watchtower of Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • Celebrating our 15th anniversary with breath-taking views at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro!

    Celebrating our 15th anniversary with breath-taking views at the Castillo San Felipe del Morro!

  • Intricate stone work at Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Intricate stone work at Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • Overlooking the San Juan Cemetery from the grounds of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro

    Overlooking the San Juan Cemetery from the grounds of the Castillo San Felipe del Morro

  • 19th century Chapel at the San Juan Cemetery

    19th century Chapel at the San Juan Cemetery

  • Strolling through the streets of Old San Juan

    Strolling through the streets of Old San Juan

  • Taking a break while wandering through Old Town

    Taking a break while wandering through Old Town

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  • What I loved most about Old Town...it's colorful, charming surprises around each corner!

    What I loved most about Old Town...it's colorful, charming surprises around each corner!

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  • El Capitolio (Capitol Hill) as seen from the Castillo de San Cristóbal (San Cristóbal Fort) 
The white-marble Capitol dates from 1929.

    El Capitolio (Capitol Hill) as seen from the Castillo de San Cristóbal (San Cristóbal Fort) The white-marble Capitol dates from 1929.

  • Calle del Cristo
This lovely cobblestone street is lined with beautifully restored colonial mansions.
At the end of the street is Capilla del Cristo (Cristo Chapel) built 1753-1780.

    Calle del Cristo This lovely cobblestone street is lined with beautifully restored colonial mansions. At the end of the street is Capilla del Cristo (Cristo Chapel) built 1753-1780.

  • Plazuela de la Rogativa, also know as the Plaza of the Religious Procession.
This bronze sculpture recreates the day that, according to legend, a bishop and his companions helped frighten away British troops during the 1797 attack on the city by carrying torches and chanting. The enemies thought the procession was local troop reinforcements.

    Plazuela de la Rogativa, also know as the Plaza of the Religious Procession. This bronze sculpture recreates the day that, according to legend, a bishop and his companions helped frighten away British troops during the 1797 attack on the city by carrying torches and chanting. The enemies thought the procession was local troop reinforcements.

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    El Capitolio (Capitol Hill) as seen from the Castillo de San Cristóbal (San Cristóbal Fort) 
The white-marble Capitol dates from 1929.
    Calle del Cristo
This lovely cobblestone street is lined with beautifully restored colonial mansions.
At the end of the street is Capilla del Cristo (Cristo Chapel) built 1753-1780.
    Plazuela de la Rogativa, also know as the Plaza of the Religious Procession.
This bronze sculpture recreates the day that, according to legend, a bishop and his companions helped frighten away British troops during the 1797 attack on the city by carrying torches and chanting. The enemies thought the procession was local troop reinforcements.