I took the first official shore excursions of this eleven week voyage here, today in San Juan, and enjoyed returning to Puerto Rico’s capital. It seems bigger than when I was here twenty two years ago. After the visit to the fortifications, now a major tourist attraction of great interest, I opted to leave the coach when we were offered the choice of returning to the ship or staying in town. I walked along one of the attractive streets with its balcony clad pastel shaded architecture, eventually having a chicken and rice lunch in a bar/cafe with no other customers to begin with. Afterwards, I returned to the ship for a brief rest. It was humid during the day with the sky becoming grey by early evening.The second trip was to a folkloric and flamenco show. I have never seen such virtuosity on the guitar (or perhaps any instrument) as when Juan Carlos took to the stage, initially by himself, but then with up to three flamenco dancers. It was an excellent show; we were welcomed with plastic cups of (presumably), sangria. On the way to the loo, after the show, I bumped into the artiste telling him I thought his show was brilliant….”Of course,” he replied…”I have been practicing the guitar for 60 years.” Ouch! I did buy his CD, proceeds of which go to the island’s earthquake fund. I could have walked back to the ship, but feeling tired, I let the bus return me to the ship. This blog comes with further pictures which I hope are self explanatory. All in all, it was a lovely day. We are now on our to Barbados; it should be warmer still.
00 17hrs 25th January 2020.
Immediately below, a picture taken in the Golden Lion Pub, just along from the Queens Room where a Dixieland Jazz Night competed with a Dance Party in the Queens Room featuring “West On Sunset,” four guitarists from significant backgrounds playing music by The Eagles, Toto, Fleetwood Mac etc. Perhaps it wasn’t the best of planning having these two superb events almost simultaneously. The jazz did finish later than the Dance Party. The guitarist featured fifth picture above was the quite extraordinary flamenco musician I described earlier.
Today, M.V. Queen Victoria made its Maiden Call at Puerto Rico. This was not marked as far as I know, other than by a “small print” announcement in the cruise brochure, and in the Daily Programme for 24/1/20. Fabulous views of any cruise ship in port can be had from the Promenade along the shoreline. (see earlier photos in this blog.) Nobody came to have a look.We are out to sea now. Barbados is the next country we visit, after one full day at sea. Once again, there is movement of the ship, but nothing like the horrendous turbulence of recent days. Let’s hope all these pictures will “upload.”I plan to write more in the daytime.
All good wishes,
David.
David's Cruise 