Vida en Puerto Rico - Dias Numero Dos Y Tres

Wednesday morning and day two of our adventure.  We enjoyed sleeping in, then went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.  Convenient, but not memorable.  They tried to do a Puerto Rican - American style breakfast, but it just wasn't that good and not worth the price.  

Cruise Ship docked!

After showering and prepping for the day, we ventured out to tour one of the two forts in Old San Juan.  Today was Castillo San Cristobal, located just a few blocks from our hotel and at the entrance of the city.  We climbed up the steps inclines to the top of the fort and took some great pictures.  There are a lot of smaller, mostly empty rooms along the mid section of the fort with history, but we mostly enjoyed the views.  The weather was very warm, but the humidity was stifling.  Thankfully, up top the fort we embraced the beautiful ocean breezes.  After a few hours, we returned back to the hotel to rest up for our late afternoon outing ... Food Tour!

Our guide, Denise, met us a few blocks from our hotel.  We were the first to arrive.  Well, we were the only ones to arrive, which meant we had a private tour!  Cool!  This allowed us to ask as many questions as we could think of, and Denise answered all of them eagerly.  She was charming!  When talking about the cooling, gentle winds, she could not think of the word "breeze," and instead, much to Dick's delight, called it a "surprise wind!"  We referred to any breeze after that as a surprise wind!  LOL

Senor San Jorge of Viejo San Juan!

Our tour began at Princesa Gastrobar.  All along the way, Denise filled us in on the history of Old San Juan, enriching our understanding of the city and the island.  At Princesa, we first met the bartender who gave us a run-down of all the different types of rum.  (Who knew 

there were so many?)  

There is a Bacardi distillery in Old San Juan, but everyone is quick to tell you that THAT is not Puerto Rican rum!  It is 

Reminds me of Steve Stanton...

Cuban!  So, of course, we decided not to waste our time with that tour!  Our first tasting was a pina colada, which they claim was the of the first recipe ever invented.  When we mentioned Barrachina's, the explained that the fellow who invented the pina colada did so before he began working at Barrachina's.   So, my understanding was that it was the same recipe -- and it did taste similar, but I liked the one at Princesa better. 

We also had two food tasting here -- first a fried eggplant topped with chicken.  Well, that doesn't do it justice.  Berenjenas Rellenas Criollas was a battered eggplant, stuffed with chicken stew and dusted with brown sugar and ground cinnamon.  Muy delicioso!  The second tasting was a croquette with ham and chicken - Croquetas Espanolas!  Oh, were they amazing!  We decided that this might be a place to return to for dinner one night (but alas, we couldn't make that happen!)

Wish I had gotten the huge line!

Second stop - Señor Paleta!  This is a tiny little shop that sells nothing but ice cream bars!  I'm glad we were on the tour because our hotel concierge told us we needed to go there if we liked ice cream, but the line out the door went halfway down the block!  We sampled a strawberry mojito ice cream bar which was yummy and very refreshing after our 10 minute uphill hike from Princesa.  Denise had us sit and relax a moment before moving to our next restaurant.

Third stop - Cafe al Punto!  This was a small cafe style restaurant with a small souvenir shop in the front.  It wasn't your typical souvenir shop, in that it sold only arts and crafts made in Puerto Rico.  The walls were lined with unique masks and carvings.  

Can't remember what this was
stuffed with, but delicious!

Our first tasting was a pocket-type appetizer, but I can't remember the filling.  I know it was very good, though!  The second tasting was ceviche - a sort of fish salad, which doesn't sound that good, but was really refreshing.  It became one of our favorite dishes and we can't wait to make it at home.  The fish is poached or sautéed and this was served in a ceramic spoon with a light dressing and a piece of avocado.  Oh, and for those of you who come to our annual holiday party, this will definitely be on the menu!

On the way to our fourth stop we peeked in one of the old churches.  It was beautiful inside, and Denise said that Ponce de Leon was buried inside.  Not sure about that - as she wasn't sure either, but there was a tomb of some sort with his name on it.

Ponce de Leon is buried here!  (And I saw it!)

(THIS JUST IN -- He was buried in Puerto Rico, in the crypt of San José Church from 1559 to 1836, when his remains were exhumed and later transferred to the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.)  So, that WAS him!

Rosa de Triana was the fourth restaurant and it was adorable!  One sign on the wall made me laugh ... "Quieremos Clientes.  No se requiere experience."  (Translation:  We want customers.  No experience required.)

Those are our "mashers" on the plate for making the mofongo!

We sat in what was once a jail cell with curved low ceilings in   a tunnel.  










We ordered drinks here, as this was the "main" meal of the tour.  Sangria was recommended, so that's what we got - delicious!  

The first tasting was Mofongo!  Dick had tried this the night before, but this was an even better experience!  We got to make our own!  Well, sort of.  Mufongo is made by slicing

We now have four of these pilones for
making mofongo!  Who's up for a
food adventure?

and frying plantains, then mashing those together with butter and garlic (and sometimes pork fat.)  We were each given a pilon (mortar) and pestle which already had in it the butter, garlic, and fried plantains.  The mashing of the ingredients has to be slow and steady so you don't splash butter all over.  It didn't take long, as just as we were done, they served the creole chicken to put on top.  WOW!  That was amazing!  Making the Mofongo fresh really did make a difference, as this was much more moist and tastier than the previous day's.  It certainly was filling!  I don't remember if there was another tasting here ... I was pretty overwhelmed with all of the samples!

We waddled on to the last stop -- The Chocobar at Casa Cortez.  Casa Cortez is known for their chocolate in Puerto Rico like we know Hershey.   The Chocobar served all things chocolate - and even in dishes that you wouldn't expect it to be.  We were given small cups of hot chocolate - which was thicker and creamier than any hot chocolate you've ever had.  It was a bit too thick and sweet for my taste - I wouldn't be able to drink a mug of it, but it was yummy.  We also received a slice of chocolate served on a slice of cheese.  That's a big thing for them in PR - chocolate and cheese.  I almost cringed at the thought, but I was adventurous and tried it.  Not bad, but I guess I still prefer them separately.  Denise also encouraged us to dip the chocolate and cheese in our hot chocolate, which I did, but again, it wasn't to my liking.

That was the end of the Food Tour - which lasted about three hours.  I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this to anyone visiting Puerto Rico - especially if you are a foodie like me!

Naturally, we weren't hungry for a big meal, but later that night we visited GreenGos restaurant and ordered take out, along with two beers.  We went up to the roof of our hotel, filled a tub, and soaked up the moonlight and the beautiful views while sharing our evening snack - a chimichanga!

The next morning we set out for the Chocobar for breakfast! Dick had chocolate waffles, which were fabulous, and I had a veggie omelette, but with a side of fruit - watermelon, papaya, and strawberries.  

Cute puppy in my cafe con leche!

There's a chocolate waffle under there!

The toast came with cheese on it ...

We visited Castillo de Phillipe del Morrow, which was located on the far east side of the city.  We waited a while for the trolley and enjoyed the breezes the ride provided before arriving at the fort.  It was very much similar to the first fort, but with even more breathtaking views! 

  

For lunch we returned to Cueva del Mar and our waitress talked us into a variety of appetizers to try.  They were all amazing.  I've never been excited about the idea of fish tacos, but these made me a true fan!  We also had mahi bites, empanadillas camarones (mini shrimp empanadas), and one other dish that escapes me.  They didn't have rum punch, exactly, but I had a Rum Runner that was close, and Dick had a "Pain Killer" that was deliciously potent.  Oh, I ordered one of those, too, after my Rum Runner.

We were pretty full that evening, but decided to grab a snack at the hotel restaurant.  I must have been feeling the effects still, of the Pain Killer, because I have no recollection about what we ate -- just a few appetizers, I think, and then back to the room to watch a few more episodes of The Walking Dead before bed.  (Who does that?  We do, I guess!)

Vida en Puerto Rico! - Dia Numero Uno!

Vacations are wonderful, right?  Well, I've just had two of them, and life couldn't be better!  

The first was to visit family in New York City & New Jersey.  I try to get down a few times a year, but it's even more special in the summer when we can hang out at the pool or the beach, take in a show (or two) in NYC, and just enjoy the great weather.  That's exactly what I did -- solo, this time because hubby was visiting his siblings in CT & RI.  I think it's good to take separate vacations from time to time, don't you?

After two days of laundry and catching up with chores around the house, we repacked and headed for what was probably one of the biggest vacations we've ever had by ourselves.  No kids, no parents, and we did all the planning.  That seems odd, but most of our vacations when the kids were younger were ones that other people planned for us (big family gatherings) or just visiting with family.

Moments before I drenched
him with my coffee!

Puerto Rico!  I'm not sure how this came about or why we decided to go there, but I'm sure glad we did!  We had an early flight from Rochester -- 5:30am, and that went without a hitch.  But catching breakfast in Baltimore didn't turn out too well, with me spilling my coffee all over the table and, consequently, on Dick.  He eventually forgave me, and luckily had a change of clothes in his backpack.

In the taxi, we spot Calle "San Jorge" (St George!)

Arriving in San Juan, we grabbed a taxi and headed to the CasaBlanca Hotel in Old San Juan.  This is a very cool boutique hotel in a very old building.  Luckily, it has been updated with air conditioning and an elevator.  The hotel was also in a great location, making getting around the city very doable.  We were early to check-in, so we left our bags and started out to find something to eat and explore the city a bit.  

Lunch at Cuevo del Mar (Cave of the Sea) was fabulous!  Naturally, we started with drinks.  We both ordered something tropical -- my go-to was alway Rum Punch (el ponche de ron!)  We shared Calamari with Sweet Chili sauce and each had the crab stew.  It was so delicious!  We then hopped on the free trolley that taxied visitors around the city.  We were anxious to check into the hotel, so we didn't get off at any of the sites.  We enjoyed the ride and got a good preview of what was to come!

We checked in and fell in love with our room!  It was on the fourth floor and oh, so very charming.  It was small, with the king size bed taking up most of the space, but adequate for our three nights.

So charming, right?

I saw an advertisement for dinner with flamenco dancers and decided to make a reservation.  Unfortunately, it was Tuesday and the dancers only perform on the weekend.  

Barrachina's was a bit more upscale dining, and delectable!  They claim to be the location where the first pina colada was invented, but we learned the next day that there was a counter-claim to that honor! We both tried the pina colada (but, of course!).  It was icier and thinner than expected, but very good.  The ones I make at home are much creamier.  With dinner I ordered wine (a Malbec) and Dick ordered a typical PR beer.  Much to his chagrin, the typical PR beer is reminiscent of Coor's Light.  (Not that there's anything wrong with Coor's Light, but Dick usually likes heartier beers and stouts.)

Dinner began with an appetizer of Spanish Sausage (Chorizos al Jerez).  It was tasty sausage bites sautéed with onions and sherry and served with fried plantains.  It was scrumptious! For the main meal, I ordered coconut shrimp scampi, but unfortunately, the coconut flavor was scarce.  The waiter had recommended it, and because I love all things coconut, I decided to try it.  It was tasty, but not what I was expecting.  Dick ordered his first Mofongo, the signature dish of Puerto Rico.  Mofongo is basically mashed plantains with butter and garlic and pork fat.  It is typically served with a protein of some kind - Dick got his with shrimp.  I tried a bite of the Mofongo and it was "okay," but seemed a bit dry.  Although potatoes are common in PR, plantains seemed to be the most popular starch element for every meal.

Decidedly and contentedly full, we ordered dessert to go.  I tried the Coconut Flan and Dick had a sweet cake, for which I don't remember the exact name.  We ate those a bit later in our comfy bed.  I thought it would be a bit difficult to sleep with this guy staring down at us, but we were so tired from our travels!  We said buenos noches to our friend and were out in a blink.

I'm going to call it a night now (so to speak) and write more about our adventures tomorrow.  Although we were only there for one week, it felt like much more.  I would definitely go back again -- if there weren't so many other places we need to see in this world!

Our daughter wanted more pictures of PR.
We gave her one more.