GAPearl's Second Valor Review- Solo Southern Caribbean Cruise! (2/24/13)

[ree1009]

Hello Ms. Gapearl. I took am a peach :). Thank you for sharing. We will be heading to San Juan in May for our honeymoon and I am so looking forward to the rest of your review!

[KrystalWaters]

After getting settled in my room, I headed out into Old San Juan to grab some lunch. Man, it was hot out there. Really hot. I mean it was an I'm glad I know Jesus cause I can't go to hell if it feels like Puerto Rico kind of hot

 

Let the church say, "Amen!!" I lol'd on this one. I know exactly what you mean:eek::p

[INCHARGE]

Ok Kim....I am so ready for this review. We are getting ready for this snow tonight, and since I am essential personnel, we have to get here tomorrow. I need a warm weather fix to get me through the next day or two. Welcome back. I loved my solo cruises, because it seems like everything you want to do, gets done. Can't wait for more.

[mama_2_boys]

Yay!!! Can't wait for what I know will be another great review!

[gapearl]

The Children's Museum.

 

 

I was really looking forward to visiting the Museo de Felisa Rincon de Gautier. She was the first female mayor of a capital city in the Americas. The museum was once her home. She was elected as mayor in 1946 and served for 22 years. Not only was she the first female mayor, she was one of the first women to vote as well. I arrived around 2, just as a tour was beginning.

 

 

Felisa's mother died when she was 12 and she had to help take care of her 8 siblings. She never had body guards because she said my people are my family. She gave away 40.000 Christmas gifts to kids every year. Her last Christmas before she died, she sold her house and took the money to buy more gifts for the people. She died broke because she gave all her money away. She was also the founder of the Head Start program in 1949 and presented it to the US in 1960. Our guide gave us all homework. We are to always ask ourselves what are my values and do I live according to my values. Imagine if we lived in a world where more politicians and leaders were like her.

 

 

Some of her many awards and plaques. There were hundreds of them.

 

 

 

She had over 500 fans.

 

[chechas]

Looking forward to this as I am a single mom whose one and only daughter leaves for college this fall. I am thinking about trying a solo cruise after she leaves just to you know, ummm help with get over my empty nest syndrome!! yeah that's the ticket LOL. Figure I already have to pay for both of us to cruise when we go, so I am used to paying double fare - just now I would have the room and bathroom all to my self!

 

Will have to go look up your other reviews.

thanks!

[gapearl]

 

 

 

 

 

What a great place to visit! It's free to get in, but I left a couple of dollars in the donation box on the way out. This little guy was there to say goodbye.

 

[ShanteS]

The Children's Museum.

 

 

I was really looking forward to visiting the Museo de Felisa Rincon de Gautier. She was the first female mayor of a capital city in the Americas. The museum was once her home. She was elected as mayor in 1946 and served for 22 years. Not only was she the first female mayor, she was one of the first women to vote as well. I arrived around 2, just as a tour was beginning.

 

 

Felisa's mother died when she was 12 and she had to help take care of her 8 siblings. She never had body guards because she said my people are my family. She gave away 40.000 Christmas gifts to kids every year. Her last Christmas before she died, she sold her house and took the money to buy more gifts for the people. She died broke because she gave all her money away. She was also the founder of the Head Start program in 1949 and presented it to the US in 1960. Our guide gave us all homework. We are to always ask ourselves what are my values and do I live according to my values. Imagine if we lived in a world where more politicians and leaders were like her.

 

 

Some of her many awards and plaques. There were hundreds of them.

 

 

 

She had over 500 fans.

 

 

Thanks for the review I read your other Valor review and loved it (that "cornbread" was a disgrace! lol). I'm looking forward to reading more as my daughter and I (and hopefully some other family members) will be sailing on the Valor in August. Did you happen to take a peek in the Children's Museum? Are there activities for children of all ages or is it only for a specific age group? My daughter will be a week shy of 2 when we sail.

[gapearl]

The San Juan Gate was right across the street from the museum. This is where Spanish dignitaries entered San Juan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

After the Spanish dignitaries came through the gate, they headed up the street to the San Juan Cathedral to thank God for a safe voyage. This is the second oldest cathedral in the Americas.

 

 

 

I want to say this is where the remains of Ponce de Leon are.

 

 

 

 

I've never been to a Catholic church. This was my first time seeing a confessional.

 

Edited March 5, 2013 by gapearl

[Shatima]

Heeey Booo.. Welcome Back.. MY LORD those Planes fly Low Low LOw LOW LOW Low LOW... I would hate to be Drunk honey and see that lolol... Thanks for always doing A review adn sharing with us.. BC I know U be busy

A preview of what's to come:

 

Salsa dancing in Puerto Rico.....

 

 

Taking some awesome pictures in St. Thomas.....

 

(I love this setting on my camera so there will be many pictures like this.)

 

 

Rum punch (and lots of it!) in Barbados.....

 

 

Sailing by The Pitons in St. Lucia.....

 

 

Black sand beaches in St. Kitts.....

 

 

Lots of airplanes in St. Maarten.....

 

 

Go make some popcorn and grab something to drink. It's gonna be another good one!

[gapearl]

 

 

Yes, I had to lay down flat on the ground to get this shot. No, I didn't care how silly I looked doing it.

 

 

I left another small donation on the way out.

 

[gapearl]

I loved this door.

 

 

Up next was Casa Blanca, home to Ponce de Leon's family for 250 years.

 

 

I wandered around for 10 minutes or so and left. Not really much to see even though there's a lot of history there.

 

I found the lizards on the walls to be the most interesting part of my visit.

 

 

[gapearl]

I moseyed down towards the cruise port for a quick stop at the Don Q Museum. Eh, not much here either.

 

 

A few boards that talk about how the rum is made.

 

 

My free sample of the Don Q mojito rum. You also could sample a rum and coke or a pina colada.

 

 

Don Q Rum for sale.

 

 

 

Don't bother buying anything here. Go next door to the CVS and it's a dollar cheaper. Better yet, wait until you're flying home and buy some from duty free where it's $12 a bottle.

[Shatima]

I can So see it. Look at that lady laying on the ground.. lolol, They probley see crazy stuff then that..... and "Thank GOD I kow JESUS" lolol I know Thats right honeyyy! lolo This is good..

[t1adams]

Hello fellow GA Peach!:D I too live not far outside of Atlanta. We'll be on the Valor on the 31st. My son LOVES Ponce de Leon and is so excited to see that church where he is burried. It's been on our list. His home? Didn't know about that one. Will have to look that up. Can't wait to read more about your trip!!! And I teach CPR...the company I teach for has all the Head Start facilities in GA (teaching all the teachers and staff). Wonderful program.

Edited March 5, 2013 by t1adams

[am+a]

Thanks gapearl and imsailing for the info about the steakhouse!

[Leo's Rule]

I've subscribed and can't wait for more. I'm glad I had already swallowed my food when I read your post about you thanking God that you knew Jesus. Girl, I hollered!

 

And I was there in October and it was hot as hell (or what I think hell would feel like)...and now I'll be there in July...good Lord, what was I thinking? :eek::confused::eek:

 

And I'm doing my first solo cruise!!!!!!

[gapearl]

By now it was about 5 pm and I headed back to Genesis Restaurant for some sangria and conversation with my new friend from lunch. Then it was back to Da House for a shower and a long nap. The Nuyorican Cafe is the salsa club right downstairs. I threw on a sundress and a 60 second makeup job and headed down to check things out around 11:45 pm. I was really hungry and ordered a chicken quesadilla and a drink called guava passion for $13.50.

 

 

 

 

I have never gone salsa dancing before and missed the free salsa lesson that's only on Wednesday nights. A cute little young 20something year old named Alejandro asked me to dance and was a great teacher. I've been doing ZUMBA for 4 years and have good rhythm, so I caught on quick. After our dance, I sat back down and listened to the music a while when some other guy that barely spoke English came over to me. He started talking to me fast in Spanish and all I heard was "Tlkasjkjlkfpsklflakdasdjahojnewldrk BAILAR lkjsldkjlskjdflksjdadkolkksjfkskl......" Bailar? Oh, I know that word. Me: "Quieras bailar conmigo?" Him: "Si!" So we danced a few songs. I headed up to bed around 2 or 3.

 

 

And all of that was just my first day in San Juan! More to come later! :D

[Cruiser 2 too]

Great review thus far as usual. Keep it coming!

[crewsweeper]

GA-P...nice review. You're doing a good job channeling (and giving a tip of the lens cap to)italianfemmy, my fellow Breeze shipmate. Can't wait to see your color accent creativity on future snaps. And...the waiter was right on your eyes! :) Hope you didn't stand him up.

Edited March 5, 2013 by crewsweeper

[texnewbie]

Love your pictures of Puerto Rico... That's on my bucket list along with lots of other things... Looking forward to your trip...

Carolyn

[oreomaximus]

Popcorn? Check.

 

Cool beverage? Check.

 

Hubby and baby locked away in another room? Check.

 

Okay, I'm ready to start reading this review.

 

I sail in 4 days, I need a fix until then!!!!! :D

[keystonemama]

By now it was about 5 pm and I headed back to Genesis Restaurant for some sangria and conversation with my new friend from lunch. Then it was back to Da House for a shower and a long nap. The Nuyorican Cafe is the salsa club right downstairs. I threw on a sundress and a 60 second makeup job and headed down to check things out around 11:45 pm. I was really hungry and ordered a chicken quesadilla and a drink called guava passion for $13.50.

 

 

 

 

I have never gone salsa dancing before and missed the free salsa lesson that's only on Wednesday nights. A cute little young 20something year old named Alejandro asked me to dance and was a great teacher. I've been doing ZUMBA for 4 years and have good rhythm, so I caught on quick. After our dance, I sat back down and listened to the music a while when some other guy that barely spoke English came over to me. He started talking to me fast in Spanish and all I heard was "Tlkasjkjlkfpsklflakdasdjahojnewldrk BAILAR lkjsldkjlskjdflksjdadkolkksjfkskl......" Bailar? Oh, I know that word. Me: "Quieras bailar conmigo?" Him: "Si!" So we danced a few songs. I headed up to bed around 2 or 3.

 

 

And all of that was just my first day in San Juan! More to come later! :D

 

 

You have me laughing so hard, luv your reviews, especially this one, I am learning a lot, we sail Dream to PR in September, gosh I wonder how hot it will be then? Keep it up.......

Happy Sailing,

[Yankeegirl]

LOVING your review...subscribing!!!!!!:)