Puerto Rico ~ 02.04.2012 ~ Chuck's 72nd Birthday!

A Point of Interest:

Since I am interested in astronomy, the one place I would love to visit is the largest radio telescope in the world, the Arecibo telescope built into a natural depression in the ground.  Check out some facts about the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico!

Overview of Puerto Rico:

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Columbus' second voyage to the Americas.

In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917.

Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government.

In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status.

Also check out this link to view the overview of the Capital - San Juan.

Click on the Puerto Rico link to access the photos taken on my trip!

Receipt Number: 384747

Price Includes: 1 Room and 1 air tickets

Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino

Depart: February 2, 2012

Check Out: February 8, 2012

Room Description: Traditional City View

Please call 800-998-6925 to call an agent.

Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino - 4 Star

10 minutes from airport

Superbly situated amidst the Puerto Rico Convention Center District facing the Bay of San Juan, the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino is a truly remarkable landmark in the district. The hotel is just 10 minutes from the international airport and five minutes from historic Old San Juan. The Convention Center is immediately adjacent and the San Juan Marina is easily accessible as well.

This town has something for all ages. A must-see is the impressive Spanish fort El Morro located on the north side of the islet. Old San Juan itself consists of narrow streets encompassing over four hundred years of history and tradition—and Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino is just five minutes from this exciting historic section. Dine in one of the celebrated establishments on Fortaleza Street, party in San Sebastián until dawn, or simply stroll along the charming, storied avenues and thoroughfares. As in Europe, a local tradition in Old San Juan is to people-watch, and there is no better place to indulge in this activity than from one of the several plazas that are located throughout the city.

Plan your event in paradise! The outstanding conference center offers over 35,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for up to 1,800 meeting attendees, business colleagues, or close friends and family. A lavish 57,000-square foot outdoor sundeck is four stories high and adorned with tropical landscaping, charming cabanas, and complemented by a large infinity swimming pool and an al fresco planned function area.  The new, eclectic guest rooms are designed for your comfort and convenience. For an additional level of comfort, the exclusive Club Lounge offers special services and amenities to please the most discerning traveler. The Link@Sheraton experience with Microsoft will keep you connected to what’s important and the business center will keep you connected to the office even when you’re miles away.

With several great dining options, an exciting lobby bar and lounge, a pulsating casino with 448 slots and 16 table games, and a first class spa and fitness studio, there are plenty of onsite activities to keep you busy. Fabulous shopping abounds, with name brand shops and charming boutiques right in the complex.

Click on the Puerto Rico link to access the photos taken on our trip!

Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino Caribbean - 200 Convention Boulevard

Then I caught a bus and down to Old San Juan and met two couples and we had lunch at a local restaurant and then I toured the first fort.  We took the free shuttle around the peninsula and couldn't find the restaurant.   It was on San Francisco Boulevard and we finally got off the shuttle and asked a local.  We were about four blocks away but had an enjoyable walk up a steep street to the restaurant.  There we had pork sandwiches, French Fries and coffee, about $11.00.

Then I decided to go tour the first fort and found out of all things, Queen Elizabeth the First sent Drake to Puerto Rico to try and steal it from the Spanish.  He failed and ended up getting sick and died on the ship after it left Puerto Rico.  The Dutch also tried to take Puerto Rico from the Spanish but that failed also.

That evening the hotel gave me a bottle of red wine in my room to celebrate my birthday.  I had dinner in the restaurant with wine and desert.  A great way to spend the day.

If you have toured the rain forests in Costa Rica and Vietnam and so on, and especially the Amazon River at flood stage in western Brazil and eastern Peru, you have seen the jungle.

Tonight I had dinner with the man from Mexico, he works for a pharmaceutical company located in Puerto Rico and is flying back and forth a few times a year on business.  The server heard it was my birthday so I got a nice piece of cheese cake to celebrate.

And later a hotel employee came to my room and I had to laugh, another bottle of red wine.  He said it was for my birthday again but I said could I have Chardonnay instead of red wine.  He said of course you can!  So I ended up with two bottles of wine!

We had a great guide and found out they pay 245 million dollars in taxes a year.  They started out in Cuba but were kicked out in the 1960s and move to Puerto Rico.  The bat is their emblem.  When Bacardi first started his business they rented a warehouse and he and his wife went in and bats flew out.  Bats are a good omen and his wife suggested they use the bat as their emblem.

In the afternoon I went to view the HMS Bounty, built in 1962 for the movie Mutiny on the Bounty starring Marlon Brando.  The ship was sailed to Tahiti and then back to Puerto Rico.  It is 1/3 larger than the original.   So the ship was actually very small. 

Everything was fine until I got to San Francisco around 11:30 p.m. and some of us ran to BART but it left three minutes early so I had to take a cab home. I got home around 1:00 a.m. and took out the contents of the suitcase and finally went to bed around 2:00 a.m.  Tired but a great trip where I saw everything I wanted and also met so many nice people.

Charles Buntjer

Published on: 

2012.02.02

California

Updated on: 

2012.02.14