GAPearl Goes Solo on the Splendor! 11/1/14 SJU-MIA Repo Cruise Review.

[gapearl]

This was interesting about how mothers used to tie these boards on their babies heads to alter their appearance so they'd be more beautiful.

 

 

 

 

Can someone from Puerto Rico answer this for me. Is this why you're called boricua or does that term come from somewhere else?

 

 

This is that dreadful mosquito disease everyone has been talking about. It's really serious. If you get infected with this you can have extreme pain your joints for months, even years. Wear plenty of bug spray if you're headed to Puerto Rico any time soon!

 

 

Another couple showed up and joined me on the tour and my guide had to say everything in English and Spanish. The tour was about an hour and was a very informative history lesson about the early inhabitants of Puerto Rico.

 

This is where the tour started. It was quite a walk in wedges. LOL

 

 

[gapearl]

 

 

About 30 family members used to live in one of these.

 

 

Bodies of about 100 people were discovered here.

 

 

I was like where are the turtles? He said they were stolen. There used to be about 40 and they were eventually left with only 2, so they brought them inside. You used to be able to enter the tour area by yourself, but because of the turtle thieves, you have to have a guide now.

 

 

 

I think I spent about two hours here. It was a great place to spend the morning and learn a lot about Ponce's history. Definitely stop by if you're ever in the area.

[cruisexlife]

:D Following! I'm ready for this unique review! Thanks for taking the time to post! :p:p

[LibratPDX]

Great start, Kimberly, can't wait to read about the ship, haven't been on that one yet!!!! (((((hugs)))))

 

I'm going on the Breeze 2/28/15, can't wait!

[blueangel74]

Kim, I'm subscribing to your review. I have also been keeping up with Jamman's review for the cruise before ours. Can't wait for the rest of your review. :)

[wrigley80]

Wednesday, October 29

 

Puerto Rico Day 1

 

 

 

I had a really exciting day ahead of me today. I was up early and leaving my house at 7:45 am to head up the road to the world's busiest airport, Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International. My flight wasn't until later in the morning but I had to get to the airport early to take care of a few things:

 

 

 

1- Check my two big, heavy bags. No judgment here please. You will never hear me say pack and light in the same sentence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2- Change some dollars to euros for Martinique. (more on that later)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3- Enjoy a mimosa as my first vacation drink of the trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a couple of very active roll calls (as in plural, read between the lines, can't outright say it). A lot of people from there were on my flight and it was nice to finally meet some of the people I've been chatting with for the last year. I downloaded The Purge Anarchy on my ipad to watch on the flight but didn't get too far into the movie because there was too much cruise talk happening.

 

 

 

Airplane meet and greet. LOL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When flying into San Juan, you'll get the best views on the left side of the plane. You'll pass right by Old San Juan and can easily spot El Morro, The Capitol Building, and the cruise ship terminal.

 

 

 

 

 

Hey GaPearl.....is that Joy (Tru Chatty Cathy) in the airplane meet and greet photo?? Was she on your cruise?? I cruised with her on the Carnival Dream repo cruise

[gapearl]

I went back downtown to the history museum to look for a nice guy named Ronald. He was very helpful earlier in the morning when I was obviously lost and looking at a map. After getting me on my way I promised to come back later for a tour. After finding him I said I was hungry and he suggested I get something to eat and then come back, so he walked me to a restaurant right around the corner called La Parrilla. The restaurant appeared to be cafeteria style and there was a small bar fully stocked with lots of rum. Ronald was friends with the owner (I think his name was Jose) and introduced us. He wanted to make me something fresh and asked that I give him 10 minutes. The food was outstanding! He whipped up a fresh plate of grilled chicken with onions, beans and rice, fried plantains, yuca, salad, rum punch, plus a Coke.

 

 

OMG this food was slap yo' mama good! The total for everything was $16. I was left with a serious case of the itis but no nap was in store for me yet. :D

 

More around town.

 

 

 

 

Oh and this was from my drive earlier. This man was trying to shoo a herd of goats off the road and had me cracking up.

 

[wrigley80]

I get a GaPearl review and a Jamman review. This will definitely hold me off until our cruise in 25 days

[gapearl]

I went back to The Museum of the History of Ponce for my tour with Ronald. It's completely free to get in. Ronald was very knowledgable and anxious to share everything about the history of his hometown.

 

 

 

He was the first governor of Puerto Rico and the airport is named after him.

 

 

I'm now on the wall and a part of Puerto Rican history! lol

 

 

 

There was a display about Carnival in Puerto Rico. After attending the second largest carnival in the world in Colombia, I'd love to attend another one. Maybe I'll be back in Ponce for carnival next year.

 

 

[gapearl]

This exhibit is for the singer Ruth Fernandez. She was the Celia Cruz of Puerto Rico and paved the way for black musicians in her country.

 

 

The early newspaper.

 

 

Me in the last working horse carriage before they were taken off the streets of Ponce.

 

 

This shows the before and after of the landslide from 1985. If I remember correctly, about 500 people died and about 100 bodies were never recovered. The government rebuilt the community and sold the houses to the victims for $1. To this day, people are still living in them.

 

Before....

 

 

And after.

 

[gapearl]

This is a place where different community events are held. There's no charge to attend anything and anyone is free to come. I guess that means no Daddy Yankee concerts here, huh? :)

 

 

 

Ronald came with me across the street to the Museum of Puerto Rico Music. Again, it was free to get in. This was a small, cute, interesting museum.

 

 

 

 

After my tour I walked back to the Plaza Las Delicias to rest my feet and indulge in a gianormous ice cream cone. I swear I love people watching. I saw this middle age couple walk by me dragging a boom box in a cart behind them, similar to what you might see someone drag their grocery bags in. They were really rocking out and it was quite amusing! Took me back to 1988. haha I wish I could have gotten to my camera quick enough to snap a picture. I clearly had no sense of direction today as I lost my rental car and walked around for 20 minutes to find it. I finally made it back to my hotel for that much needed nap from earlier.

Edited November 12, 2014 by gapearl

[Delta Dear]

I'm right there with you, GA Pearl. Keep the review coming. Thanks !

[gapearl]

Around 8 pm, I headed back out to La Guancha. This is a strip of bars and restaurants right on the water. I heard this can be a very lively place at night and on the weekend. There was a decent crowd out tonight, but I imagine most folks stayed in since everyone would probably be hanging out the next night for Halloween.

 

When I arrived there was a big Zumba class wrapping up. This immediately reminded me of my first night in Cartagena, where there was a huge Zumba class of at least 200 people at 9:30 pm on a Sunday night in the plaza. This is something you just don't see in the states.

 

 

The mosquitos were out in full force tonight! I had no bug spray and was a bit nervous about the chimichanga or Chick-Fil-A or whatever that mosquito disease is called that everyone kept talking about. I could only hope they'd spare me. I walked down the pier, checking things out and planned to do a little bar hopping. All the stands were pretty much the same with the same menus, but some were more lively than the others. One place could have been empty, and the place next door could have a crowd because they were playing music.

 

 

 

 

 

[gapearl]

My first drink was a pina colada for just $4.50. Not bad. I ordered a mai tai as my second drink at my second bar and the bartender had no idea how to make it. No problem, but can you make me something fruity and with rum in it? He made something called welcome to the jungle for $5, and it sure as hell took me there!

 

Look at how much rum he poured before adding even a spash of juice.

 

 

I walked around some more and decided I could use a little something to eat. I got the chicken chicharones (basically chicken fingers) with fries and salad for $10. This one place had some strong $3 drinks on their menu. I really wanted to have one but I had to be responsible since I was driving. I was still sipping the same drink because it was so strong. I was slowly getting a nice little buzz.

 

 

A lifetime supply of Gasolinas! This oughta get me through the cruise, but how will I fit all these boxes in my suitcase?

 

 

The food was good and a band started playing across the way. It started to rain a little and I took half my food to go and called it an early evening. I left the do not disturb sign on my doorknob and they left this bag of room essentials (towels, toilet paper, etc) for me, even though I didn't need any of it.

 

 

And finally, here's a map of Ponce.

 

 

I had a GREAT day today! I met some nice people, had some good food, and enjoyed exploring a new city.

 

Up next: Back to San Juan for Halloween!

[boaterette]

Great as usual. Love the Duggar and the chicken fried steak disease. Looking forward to more.

[Bostonjetset]

So excited for another GAPEARL review. You look fabulous as always, Kim! Can't wait to read the rest :D

[rzyjzq]

Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with all of us! Looking forward to the rest.

Susan

[Ms. Fun Bunch]

Really enjoying the start of your review!

[SailingRNC]

Subscribing wooooo!!!⚓️

 

 

Sent from my iPad Air using Forums

[susie8862]

My first time reading one of your reviews. WONDERFUL so far. :o

[Aldeya]

[size="3

This will be LONG and very picture heavy. Good crew, good ship, good bye is not my writing style. You will be reliving my trip from beginning to end. I promise, NOTHING will be left out. This review will be full of humor, adventure, and ladies some really cute shoes, so enjoy!

 

 

 

That's exactly why I absolutely love your reviews! Keep'em coming! ;)

[Aldeya]

44707032The crowd was very young and I'm more positive than a Duggar pregnancy test that there was not a soul in there older than me. [/b]

 

Note to myself... Do NOT read Gapearl's review when you have coffee!!!

You have me in stiches!:D:D:D

Edited November 12, 2014 by Aldeya

[INCHARGE]

Ok Kim.... I have been waiting for you to get back. Waiting for the lowdown of another one of your fabulous trips. You can make a trip to the grocery store fun. Show us what you're working with. I love reviews from a young woman's solo experience. You are me almost 30 years ago. :D

[Tapi]

Can someone from Puerto Rico answer this for me. Is this why you're called boricua or does that term come from somewhere else?

 

 

 

 

Hey GAPearl:

 

I'm from Puerto Rico (born and raised), now living in Georgia (Peachtree City). Hi neighbor. :) I go home a few times a year since all of my family (parents, sister, aunts, uncles and 54 first cousins) live there!

 

To answer your question, the island's original name was Boriken (name given by the original Taino Indian inhabitants), which was later changed to Borinquen. When the Spaniards arrived in the late 1400's, the island was renamed San Juan Bautista. Over time, the name San Juan was adopted by the capital while the island was eventually renamed Puerto Rico (or Rich Port, because of the belief that there was a lot of gold in the island). The term "Boricua", used to refer to people from Puerto Rico, derives from the original Indian name.

 

By the way, great job finding Tibes! That place is HARD to find, even for us locals! :o

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited November 12, 2014 by Tapi

[susie8862]

Hey GAPearl:

 

I'm from Puerto Rico (born and raised), now living in Georgia (Peachtree City). Hi neighbor. :) I go home a few times a year since all of my family (parents, sister, aunts, uncles and 54 first cousins) live there!

 

To answer your question, the island's original name was Boriken (name given by the original Taino Indian inhabitants), which was later changed to Borinquen. When the Spaniards arrived in the late 1400's, the island was renamed San Juan Bautista. Over time, the name San Juan was adopted by the capital while the island was eventually renamed Puerto Rico (or Rich Port, because of the belief that there was a lot of gold in the island). The term "Boricua" used to refer to people from Puerto Rico, derives from the original Indian name.

 

By the way, great job finding Tibes! That place is HARD to find, even for us locals! :o

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

AHA!!!!!!! No wonder you always have such great advice about visiting PR