Day 70 - December 7, 2024

Today we flew from Atlanta to Puerto Rico where we will impose on Verna’s son and daughter-in-law for the next week. Unfortunately, the airplane window was disgustingly dirty. I have taken photos through plane windows in the past, but the last few flights have been challenging to say the least. Anyway, enough complaining. The night shots are along the beach from the balcony of the apartment where we are staying for the week. Nice view!

Day 71 - december 8, 2024

An interesting day touring around San Juan, Puerto Rico. We start with a couple morning shots along the beach from the apartment, including a nice rainbow. Then some shots driving around to various locations. After lunch we headed down to “Old Town”. Beautiful!  We may need to go back there and walk around a bit. A few night shots, a cruise ship, then home. An easy day for sure. I didn’t even have to drive today!

Day 72 - December 9, 2024

Another great day in Puerto Rico. First a shot of a pigeon on our balcony, then off to the mountains and the rain forest. The area we went to is a US National Park, called El Yunque. Jungle. Very thick jungle. And waterfalls. I took a short but steep hike up to one of them. I also climbed the 96 stairs to the top of the Yokahu Tower. We were very lucky as it is usually raining in the rain forest. We had a great day.

Then we stopped at a couple of beaches on the way home. There, we went down to the beach below the apartment for the sunset. The beach faces north, so no direct sunset, just the back view. There was a body surfer that entertained us for a while. Lovely sand, and very warm water. The surfer said that the water is 75 degrees F.

Day 73 - December 10, 2024

This day was spent in Old San Juan. This city and its fortifications date back to the early 1700s. David and I went one way and Wanda and Verna another (shopping). Dave and I went through the old fortifications (two forts and the city wall) and walked several of the old streets. I got a shot of one of the most beautiful roses I have ever seen.

Then the rains came. Dave and I walked about eight blocks in a downpour to meet up with the girls. We were drenched so we went and bought new clothes and carried on after the rains quit. At the harbour we saw a very large cruise ship, the MSC Seascape. Upon returning home we watched a wind surfer. He was good but took several spills in the high winds.

Day 74 - December 11, 2024

The day started with a drive to the San Lorenzo Valley and a coffee plantation, “Hacienda Munoz”. Unfortunately, they were not doing tours, so we just had a cup of coffee (well Verna, Dave & Wanda did) and got a few shots of the grounds, a Gecko and a couple birds.

There is a bridge closer to Old San Juan that crosses a shallow bay where there are Manatees. Sometimes you can see them, sometimes not. Today was good. They are not exactly the prettiest creatures I have ever photographed. I also got a couple shots of some sort of gar (a needle nose type of fish) and a beautiful Iguana.

Then in the evening we were off to a baseball game! Roberto Clemente is a hero here and the stadium is named after him. This is very high-end, professional ball. These players are mostly back-up major league or minor league players, playing in the winter league (Caribbean League).  Loads of fun. I was surprised they even allowed me into the game with my cameras. So, a few action shots of a baseball game at night.

Day 75 - December 12, 2024

An easy day today that started with a walk down the street for a haircut. A few shots on the way, then a walk through the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel (gorgeous). Then down the beach back to the condo. On the beach outside the condo, we ran into the “Beach Babes”. I then went up to the condo and tried to get a decent panorama of the El Alambique Beach, below the balcony. It’s a little distorted, but not terrible. Tomorrow is our last full day in Puerto Rico.

Day 76 - December 13, 2024

Our last day in Puerto Rico included a drive to Mar Chiquita Beach. This is a gorgeous bay where the ocean crashes in between a break in volcanic rock. I managed a couple shots of what I think is a Bananaquit, (a pretty little bird). So, not many photos today. Just a beautiful bay with palm trees and crashing waves.