Destination: Puerto Rico!!!
R. and I have been wanting to go on an international trip together ever since we were married. So, we decided to just go ahead and do it as our last little romantic getaway before the little man arrives. We decided on Puerto Rico because it's actually pretty close and inexpensive to travel there from Texas. And we're so glad we did!!! It was WONDERFUL!!!
We left on the 30th of May and got to the island late that night. Our first flight was late because of some mechanical problems so we were worried we would miss our connecting flight. But, even though we got to the gate 30 minutes after departure time, we were just in time to board the plane! Praise the Lord!!! It was the last flight out that night so we would have been stuck in Miami!!
Our initial introduction to international travel on our own was a little bumpy and adventuresome! The first thing we learned is this: when booking a hotel on the internet it is advisable to stick with "name-brands" such as the Holiday Inn or Intercontinental or something more familiar. We booked our first two nights at the Beach House Hotel...don't! We got there right around midnight. They had a very loud beach party going on when we arrived and it just so happens that the only room left that they had reserved for us was right next to said party. While the room smelled clean it didn't exactly feel welcoming!! And they were totally out of bar soap for the whole hotel. Oh goody!
We hadn't really had meal since lunch so we decided to go out and find something to eat and see if there was anything else available for accommodations. To make a long story short, after a couple miles of walking and a couple hours later, the Lord totally took care of us and we were able to find a room at the Intercontinental. We had a beautiful view and the MOST comfortable bed ever!! Phew!
Puerto Rico is such a beautiful island and the people are so incredibly friendly!! My absolute favorite part about the whole trip was the fact that there's so much diversity on the island without segregation!! There are lots of mixed marriages and a group of friends would be made up of black, white, latino, all together speaking Spanish. They were simply Puertorican! It made me realize how much tension is present when R. and I are out in public, with the looks we get sometimes. To have this tension completely absent was so wonderful and freeing! So much so that it's kind of been a culture shock to return to the states and see everyone all segregated again. That's not how it's supposed to be and we got a glimpse of what it should look like and it was beautiful.
The island is small, but has a little of everything. Huge palm trees with coconuts, ocean of course, mountains, green everywhere! The architecture is so cool and colorful. The picture below is a city street in Old San Juan! It's so much fun!! Walking around there kinda felt like we'd stepped into a movie!!
R. took me snorkeling for my first time! He was such a patient instructor and it was so COOL! We stayed close to the shore, but we still got to see plenty! As soon as we stuck our faces in the water we saw a beautiful silvery blue fish and then later a papery looking fish that almost blended in with the ocean floor. I'm so glad R. encouraged me to do it!!! Way cool!!!
We spent a lot of time on the beach, walking in the sand and swimming in the ocean. Definitely my idea of a perfect vacation!! And the weather was perfect too!!! Not hot, but warm and comfortable!! It rained a little bit every day, but it never affected our plans.
We did a little exploring and ventured out in our little rental car. One night we went to the Phosphorescent Bay. This was great! There's some kind of algae that grows in the water there and when the water is stirred from swimming or something of that nature, it glows. We took a boat ride out into the bay and a diver got out and swam in the water so we could see it! Then on the way back we saw fish jumping and the water would glow where they landed! SWEETNESS!!
On our last day there we visited an old fort built in the 1500's by the Spaniards. I've never felt this way when visiting historic sites before, but I could really sense the presence of history! I could almost see the soldiers walking across the courtyard and hear the cannon fire over the walls. It was amazing how preserved it was for being so old!!!
I have to say it was the best vacation I've ever had and we so enjoyed our time together! I highly recommend it as a place to visit!! We've even talked about going back again!! I could tell more, but then this post would be REALLY long!!
