Day 3: Spontaneous Adventures

Today was a bit busy, confusing, spontaneous and adventurous. Fed and I woke up early to begin our adventures at Puerto Rico's two large historic forts - Castillo de San Cristobal (Saint Cristobal's Castle) and El Morro (the rock). Both are right along the coast on the outskirts of Old San Juan.

Despite the historic city's delicate beauty, the narrow roads, one way streets, and crazy drivers in Old San Juan can sometimes make it difficult to navigate. But we managed to find a parking spot near the Castillo de San Cristobal, and went in. The fort is a really cool memento of Puerto Rico's military history, and offers a beautiful view of the city from the top:

Fed and I on the top of the Castillo de San Cristobal, overlooking some of the city of San Juan

Beautiful view of San Juan's coast from atop the Castillo De San Cristobal

There are many secret underground tunnels, dungeons, cannon rooms, and sentry lookout towers called galleries (gai-ah-ree'-ess) that have become a symbol of Puerto Rico. In fact, this image can be found on almost every Puerto Rican license plate, and on many souvenirs:

Galleries, the famous lookout towers Puerto Rico and San Juan are famous for.

It was hot and humid as sheeya today, so after an hour or so walking through a stone fortress in the heat of the day, we weren't quite feeling up to walking around another huge rock castle. Plus Fed wanted to make it to a couple museums before they closed. So off we went. Only to be disappointed. The main museum we were interested in was closed from 12-1 for lunch (we got there around 12:20). So we went to the next museum, which it turns out is only a sweltering courtyard with like three booths selling miscellaneous trinkets. So we left to find lunch. But after driving around for almost 20 minutes without finding suitable parking near a restaurant, we figured we'd go back to the museum since it was almost 1pm. But it still wasn't open. So after one hour and about ten dollars in parking later, our museum excursion ended to no avail.

But all was not lost! We went inside the second oldest cathedral in all of the Americas, which was beautiful! Everything was so intricate, and detailed, and glorious. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera, but we're hoping to go back again. If we do, I will definitely take a ton of pictures inside this stunning architectural marvel housing such lavish and beautiful works of art.

Heading back to our car from the cathedral in Old San Juan, we saw a really cool cemetery:

Beautiful cemetery on the coast of Old San Juan

All of the headstones were so elaborate and beautiful

We returned to our hotel just long enough to change so we could head to the new beach. We tried a new one about a mile or so away, with kiosks on the sand selling food, yet hardly anyone around. The water was calm and refreshing, and we had the entire beach to ourselves. Bliss.

We're going on an intense hike through a rainforest tomorrow, where we hike, rappel down waterfalls, whim in fresh streams, etc. Preparing for tomorrow was an adventure tonight. We need gloves to rappel. But after trying a few stores, the best we could get was gardening gloves. Decorated with purple flowers. Yeahhhhh... but we found them in a grocery store, where we also found dinner (chicken, bread and soda) and desert (GIANT juicy mangoes):

Not the greatest authentic dinner Puerto Rico has to offer, but it worked. lol

Giant. Juicy. Mangoes.

So tomorrow will be interesting, but we're both really excited for the adventure. Tonight is our last night in this hotel, so tomorrow we will be staying at a hostel. If we have internet, expect another update from yours truly manana. =)