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SNORKEL TRIP
My first excursion was a snorkeling trip on the Spread Eagle II, a 1997 SeaRunner Catamaran. The boat departs from Fajardo, which is about an hour's drive from San Juan. For an extra $12 per person they'll pick you up
from your hotel in the San Juan area. The boat is a 51-foot catamaran with three accommodating crewmembers. The boat can hold up to 49 passengers and for $74.50 ($53.50 for kids) everything is included; drinks (pina coladas, fruit punch with rum or virgin), water, soda; a lunch buffet
(fruit and sandwiches); and snacks (apples, cheese and crackers, peanuts). It's fun for all ages and since the boat is open air (except for the bathroom and change room that are downstairs) I didn't see anyone get sick. Gear is included and each person gets their very own snorkel to take home; this way you don't have to wonder who was sucking on it last! Our first stop
was Icacos Island. It's
a deserted island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Most people snorkel
offshore but if you don't feel like going into the warm, clear water, you can sunbathe or hang out on the beach. After lunch aboard the boat, you can go back out for another snorkel. Next, the boat travels to the private Lobos Island. No one is allowed onshore but you can dive, swim or snorkel in the waters just off of its coast. The boat departs Villa Marina in Fajardo at 10am and returns around 3:30pm. The whole trip is a full day commitment as guests need to leave their hotel for an 8am pickup and don't return until around 4:30. Overall, it was a lot more fun than I had imagined ... maybe because we had a fun group! My only complaint is that the crew of the Spread Eagle II could do a better job educating passengers on the importance of not touching or walking on the reef. FYI: Not that you should bring your phone, but cell service did work the entire trip. For more information on the Spread Eagle II, e-mail info@snorkelpr.com or call toll-free: 1-888-523-4511.
HORSEBACK RIDING
The following day, I headed back out in a van and drove in the same direction as Fajardo. This time, it was for a 40-minute ride to Hacienda Carabalí. Hacienda Carabalí is a 600-acre adventure ranch where visitors can go four-wheeling, mountain biking, go-carting or horseback riding. I did the latter. They offer both one- and two-hour rides ($30/$60); I did the longer one. It was very relaxing
as we
rode (trotted, mostly) through the foothills of the El Yunque Rainforest. Up to 45 people can be in a group but there were just nine signed up for my time slot. Many were first-timers. There were three guides
and the lead was Willie "The Maker" Cruz, an ex-jockey who was severely injured in a race two years ago. Willie was a lot of fun once we got him to tell us stories about his illustrious career and there was nothing challenging about the ride
(not like my experience in New Zealand) so we could chat while riding. The promotion pamphlet advised everyone to bring their bathing suits as we would be stopping along the way at a beautiful river
to swim. The river was something to look at but it was just two feet deep and not what we were expecting. However, it offered a refreshing dip for the ranch dog. Hacienda Carabalí Riding, tel.: 787-690-3781.
OLD SAN JUAN I
spent an afternoon in the historic
colonial district called Old San Juan. Old San Juan dates
back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Puerto Rico was a Spanish possession. There are plenty of shops, mostly geared toward tourists, but what I
enjoyed most was just wanderingaround
the narrowcobblestone streets
and admiring the colorful
building facades
and points of interest. The biggest attraction is El Morro (Castillo San Felipe del Morro), a 16th century fortress
that's located
on the northwestern-most point of the island. It's part of the San Juan National Historic Site and in 1983, was listed as one of UNESCO's
World Heritage Sites.
WHERE TO EAT IN OLD SAN JUAN
Strolling the hot streets of Old San Juan is bound to make you hungry. At least, it did for me. A hotel staff member recommended an excellent, new restaurant (opened only a few months ago), that serves authentic Puerto Rican dishes that the locals love. Raices revisits the past through the colorful artwork
on the walls, the costumed waiters and waitresses and mostly, though the delicious, traditional food
that they serve. Their specialty is Mofongo – mashed green plantains
stuffed with either seafood or meat and served in Pilon wood bowls. Popular side dishes are fried green plantains and rice and beans in hollowed out coconut shells. Drinks are served in aluminum cups. The restaurant doesn't have the most comfortable seating (the bench hurt my bum) but the tasty food and authentic experience make it a must. Raices has two locations: One in Caguas (tel.: 787-258-1570) and the other on Recinto Sur Street #315, in old San Juan. Here's a scan of their business cardLINK; tel.: 787-289-2121.
OVERALL
I enjoy visiting Puerto Rico. It's easy to get to (no passport required for U.S. citizens), it's safe, the food is good, the water inviting and the locals friendly. However, the next time I go back, I hope to visit someplace other than San Juan; I've been there too many times now. My next stop is hopefully the rainforest and the island of Vieques. It's supposed to be amazing and right now there are plenty of deals to be found since it's off-season.
VIDEO
Here's a short Johnny Jet video of my trip to Puerto Rico. It's also on YouTube, so it only takes a few seconds to load (though the quality is not as crisp). We also have all the Johnny Jet videos ever made on their servers.
NEXT WEEK Next week, we travel 6,000 miles to ? Stay tuned!
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SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
Love your New Mexico story. It's absolutely one of my favorite places in the world. My best friend in life lives in Albuquerque, and we have sometimes traveled around to cool, funky parts of the state. Jemez Springs, Bandolier National Monument and a spa called Ojo Caliente are some of my favorite spots. I've never gone ballooning though and I admire your nerve and understand your fear. Congratulations. Nora – New York, NY
Enjoyed it! I grew up in Albuquerque and saw the October balloon fiestas from their very beginning. Now that you've had this experience, you MUST go back for the Big One! Didn't your sister's experience make you want to? There is nothing in the world like the two mass ascensions; seeing that many balloons in the sky at once is absolutely surreal. Glad you enjoyed your meal at Tia Sophia's, but you missed a couple of fine points. First of all, it's not really southwestern food, it's New Mexican food. It's different than what you'll be served in Texas or Arizona. The chiles (not "chilis"), the posole, the soapapillas -- if you find them at all in those other places, they "borrowed" them from New Mexican cuisine. And the latter, soapapillas, is the name of that "biscuit" you mentioned. It's much closer to a light, hollow tortilla-pastry than a heavy, thick ol' biscuit, and far from evil, it's the one thing most expat New Mexicans miss most about home. Someone should have taught you how to prepare it, though. The honey goes on the inside, and you get it there by biting off a corner (but look out for the steam that rushes out) and pouring it in. If you're really lucky, you might be at a place that has a honey butter combination, but purists just go for the honey. And forget the cinnamon. No self-respecting Nuevo Mexican would be caught dead ruining a soapapilla with cinnamon. That's for gringo tourists. "Rellenos" are almost always referred to as chile rellenos. Ans as for the red and green, you misled people when you told them green was hotter than red. It varies literally batch to batch, so you could walk across the street to another restaurant or come back to the same restaurant the next day and the red might be hotter. The best questions to ask after they ask you "green or red?" is, which is hotter today? and are either one especially good today? Do that, and you will impress even the natives. Unless you ruin your soapapilla with cinnamon, then all bets are off. Charles A. of Santa Monica, formerly of The Land of Enchantment.
Are you or one of your writers still in Albuquerque? I saw this article on Frommers.com
(http://www.frommers.com/articles/4501.html) and wanted to let you know about the living culture experience of Acoma Pueblo, just a 45 minute drive west of ABQ. In a land of stunning vistas, sandstone bluffs and multihued mesas, stands Acoma Pueblo, the Oldest Continuously Habited Settlement in North America and the first Native American community designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, DC as a "Trust Site". skycity.com Cheers, Malcolm G - New York, NY
Was it you, a few weeks ago, who highlighted Yapta as the website of the week? If you did, you've saved me over $600 in reduced airfares. Yapta if it wasn't you. Thanks. Ed F. – London REPLY: It sure was! Here’s the link
We’re happy to hear it worked out well and don’t forget that a good portion of our revenue comes from donations. If Johnny Jet helped save you money then please consider supporting the website. You can send a check or pay by using your credit/debt card with PayPal (PayPal.com). Thanks again for logging on.
Loved, loved your hot air balloon video and article in this week’s newsletter! So honest, and refreshing. Congratulations! Kelly G – North Carolina
Dear JJ, I'm delirious from combing your site for 7 straight hours after accidentally stumbling upon Johnny Jet on a Google search. Not sure if I should(1) thank you for more info than I was prepared to handle. I think I blew a fuse somewhere around midnight EST in Season 2005 (2) beg you to stop writing/traveling because this is like being addicted to a book I can't put down until I finish, have mercy! (3) pay you handsomely for your tour guide services on an Istanbul, Cyprus, Greece, and Italy trip that I haphazardly put together BEFORE seeing your site unfortunately, and I'm ill-prepared and leaving Saturday, ugh (4) send you my resume, I'm a marketing/brand identity development consultant and travel for a living too, how is this the first time I've seen your site? I will seriously help you out in any way possible, this content needs to reach a much wider audience, I already have ideas!! Free ideas for you! (5) I don't know, maybe send a love letter and a box of chocolates, I've never tried to woo a man before, where does one start?? You are amazing, down to earth, totally cute, witty, smart, real, etc. Wait, maybe you're NOT real, one of those robot travelers I've heard about (6) FedEx a check and return envelope for a t-shirt and hat for my trip, which probably can't happen by Friday anyway. (7) All right, I'll settle with just a big huge thanks for all of the info, and a photo because I feel like I know you already. Maybe we met on a flight once or maybe you just have one of those incredibly familiar friendly faces. I live in airports so maybe I saw you once or recognize the logo from a hat, I usually notice that stuff. Cheers, thanks, sunny skies, happy travels, good health, Carrie R - New York
FEEDBACK FOR JULIET
I read your Brazil story on Johnnyjet.com. Great job! I love Rio and Buzios. Was there a couple years ago. Lisa D – Chicago, IL
I loved the article on South America; you description of your activities made me feel like I was there with you. I can't wait to see part two of your story. Gloria P – Orlando, Florida
I loved Juliet's article about South America. It made me want to go, especially to Buzios! I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment and based on the descriptions in the article, I'm dying to try the cuisine! Nancy of East Patchogue, New York
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