Puerto Rico

I’ve been wanting to come to Puerto Rico for years to show our support after watching the island get hit over and over again by massive hurricanes. So our starts finally aligned as we made our way from the Dominican Republic to our Neice’s wedding in Tampa this weekend.

We love Puerto Rico! It is beautiful, full of friendly people, and San Juan feels very cosmopolitain.

Day 1 = A travel day to Puerto Rico. We packed it all up found the airport lounge at the Punta Cana airport. We had a few big bumps in the flight. Our driver Wegberto greeted us and toured us through San Juan so Bo knew where his local surf spot was in the city at Luis Munoz Marin Park. The hotel’s internet went down right when we arrived and we waited 2.5 hours for our rooms. We passed the time by the enjoying a delicious meal poolside. I had the Poke Bowl with Tuna and Bo had the Ceviche with cuddle fish bread … YUM! Mak and I enjoyed the white wine sangria, which we highly recommend! Our rooms were finally assigned and we were very happy with our beachfront adjoining rooms on the 17th floor … just in time to perch ourselves on our balconies to watch a firework show.

Day #2 = Boys fuel up on breakfast and Bo and I walk about to check out the neighborhood. San Juan is super cool and wins outlet hearts. Then it’s over to Castillo San Cristobal to tour around the forts. NPS Unit #127 for me and so fun to explore with all of my boys! And so many happy and healthy people are everywhere. On our cab driver’s reco, we land at Raices restaurant off of Columbus square for a delicious lunch … and to give our feet (mostly Sams) a rest. We ordered four Mofongos … with snapper, mixed seafood, shrimp, and skirt steak. The little boys got the burger with a big juicy plantain and the smokiest meat … the best burger I’ve ever had!!! We have tons of leftovers and I’m already thinking of having it again for dinner.

Day #3 = We are off for our Catamaran Day Cruise to Cayo Icacos, a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. It forms part of the La Cordillera Reef Nature Reserve and is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. We meet new best friends today, swam in beautifully blue waters, and saw some sea turtles.

One of my favorite photos of the entire trip! Live action sunscreen application.

Our new friend Sophia took this photo with her drone!

Day #4 = Is planned to be a beach and Pool day. We woke up to the rain and the wind, so it was a perfectly planned day to chillax and recharge for the wedding this weekend. We enjoyed breakfast down by the pool, indoors today. Then it was back to the room to watch the rainstorms pass us by with some thunder and lightning sprinkled throughout the day. We briefly contemplated going to a museum, but cabs are challenging to get here and ride share is not offered, so we are safe and dry at noon. Perhaps the afternoon will offer us more options? Nope, more stormy weather arrived. The boys and I made it down for a late-lunch for them an early-dinner for me. As I mourned the loss of my beloved friend, boss, and mentor Lori Gaffney, the boys were out to a local restaurant with Bo for Mexican food. Then Bo and Mak hit the Black Jack tables for a new lesson on how the game is played in PR. They connected with our new friends and had a fun night.

Day #5 = Our last day in PR started with sunshine, then some rain, then more sunshine. So thinking today will be our day at the pool and beach. Sophia, one of our new friends, has invited us to play volleyball, so that is exciting. We have a 3:30pm checkout and a 4:30pm car pick-up, so lots of fun ahead. We feasted on our last breakfast and Sam dipped his bacon in chocolate pudding … and declared it delicious! We met up with our new friends and planned a game of volleyball. After a walk on the beach, we met at the court and played many fun and competitive games. It was so much fun! And so great to meet new friends while on vacation. Then sadly, it was time to say goodbye and head to our rooms to pack up. We’ve loved our time in Puerto Rico and are very excited to come back again to explore more. Next, we head to Tampa this afternoon to officially begin the wedding festivities.