Friday, January 25, 2013

A Leisurely Day In San Juan - My latest online travel feature is published!

San Juan, Puerto Rico is one of our favorite places to visit.  For us it has all the comforts of a tropical island and is only a short flight from the mainland US.  There is no hassle of having to learn a foreign language or deal with foreign currency.  And best of all ~ my cell phone works just like I was here at home!  



My latest travel feature takes us to San Juan - a city noted for it's cobblestone streets and amazing history.  If your cruise ship is headed for this great city -- follow me along on my 6 hour itinerary designed to help you get the most out of your cruise day here.  Hour by hour -- turn by turn -- I take you to all of our favorite places. 
 

~ View of the island as you approach by cruise ship~




~View of the city from the cruise ship pier~


the famous red door
~the ancient entry to the walled city of San Juan~



~walking along the harbor view path~


~stunning views along the harbor~


~stray kittys live in the rocks along the harbor path~
If you love kitties -- you will love San Juan!
little bowls of food and water are tucked into nooks and crannies all over the city



~El Convento~
this beautifully restored 16th century building was once a nunnery
Now - it is a 5 star hotel and is a perfect place for an afternoon lunch break


~El Morro Fortress~
one of San Juan's most beloved historical treasures




~the hill below El Morro is the perfect place for kite flying~
the Gardener takes his kite along whenever we visit San Juan
(it's one of his favorite things to do when we visit there!)


~one of my favorite places to photograph~
Santa Maria Magdalena Cemetery


~the statues there are hauntingly beautiful~


~with the turquoise ocean as a backdrop- this is my favorite place to linger~
call me crazy -- but I could spend an entire day in this beautiful place



~such a peaceful place of eternal rest~



~so quiet - humble- like no other place I have ever been~




~this view leaves me breathless~



~you can find my latest travel feature HERE~
~~~
Your comments on the "Living Better at 50+" website and Facebook "likes"
made my last year's "St. Martin" travel story
one of the most popular magazine features for 2012.
(YEA!!!) 
(I'm gushing with thanks and appreciation for your interest in my travel features!!)
~~~
-- if you enjoy this feature tour of San Juan --
please let the folks at the magazine know by
leaving a comment on their website or clicking their Facebook "Like".
(I'd be grateful!!)

~~~~~
***If you would like to read more of my travel features***
they are all organized on my blog in one location.
Simply click on the "I WRITE" icon located on my sidebar.


~~~~~~~~
Coming up next - (on February 1) -- a beautiful tribute to my Pink Scarf Project. Your gifts of heart -- a stunning collection of scarves donated by YOU!  Get ready -- you are going to be amazed!!
xoxo,
Vicki

ps -- The response to my Grow Your Blog party has been absolutely amazing. So many of you have written to say that you have doubled your follower list already and have made so many new friends!  Last week - the Grow Your Blog post had over 20,000 hits --- all of those people here to meet all of you! The link will remain at the top of my sidebar ALL year -- the party will live on and on and on and on~~!!! 

62 comments:

Peggy Lee said...

Absolutely breathtaking scenes. Thank you for taking us along.
A big thank you as well for the GYB party. It was a smashing success and will continue to bring people together throughout the year.
:o)

Jeanne said...

What a lovely tour this was of San Juan. My husband and I went there and hardly remember it as our dog died just as we were arriving in the harbor on our ship. Sadly our memories of the city are a bit blurred. Thanks so much for sharing this great tour!

Patty said...

The statues are beautiful as well as all of your pictures. What an amazing trip! I want to thank you too for the fabulous GYB party. i have enjoyed meeting so many nice people.

Julia said...

Wow, what a lovely place to visit. You are very lucky to have the opportunity to travel in such beautiful and interesting places full oh history. You are also so photogenic.

PS.
I've joined your Grow Your Blog Party but I still don't see my blog name Of Petals and Wool on the list. I thought that I've signed in too late.

Thanks for sharing your travels with us.
JB

Magdalena said...

Hello Vicki, thank you for the absolutely amazing pictures. It's real fun to read your blog.
Thank you again for your gorgeous work with the blogparty. That is something very special to read so many blogs and to see how many people do such phantastic creative work. I'll certainly go back to the list, because at the moment I'm meddling it all up. THANK YOU!
Magdalena

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Goodness Vicki! You have more energy than the Energizer Bunny! Ha! San Juan looks absolutely amazing. Wish it weren't so far away. My husband keeps talking about taking a cruise. We have friends who have taken a couple and they just rave about it. The Grow Your Blog Party is a huge success. I've still got a long ways to go with my visits but have enjoyed meeting so many new bloggers. I wasn't joining the party to actually grow my blog -- just wanted to support you in the endeavor -- but I've gained about 20 or so new follows, so that's fun! Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Sandra Kaye said...

I wanted to thank you for having the party!! I had a super fun time going through the list...still working on it :):) Love the pics of your vacation. I LOVE stone angels..I would have had a hard time leaving that area :):) Hugs

Cache-Mire said...

What beautiful photos! Looks like we may have to put this on our bucket list. What cruise did you take?

And thanks again for the Blog party. We're headed to Halifax in a few months and I just met a fellow blogger who lives there at the party! How awesome is that!

Hugs,
Terri

Kelly said...

Hi, Vicki! Your travel guide looks great and your pictures are fabulous! I would love to go to Puerto Rico some day. That red door into San Juan is really neat! Have a great weekend! Kelly xoxo

Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) said...

An amazing spot, Vicki... and if the architecture wasn't enough, you sold me with the kitty pictures!

Carole said...

Oh Vicki, absolutely stunning pictures, I especially love the statues. Thanks for share this wonderful place with us.

I am starting to notice that some folks are dropping by, even have a couple of new followers, all thanks to your wonderful Grow Your Blog Party. Thanks so much my friend. Carole xox

Eileen said...

It looks absolutely beautiful. Congratulations on your feature being published!

kathyinozarks said...

Hi Vicki, enjoyed your gorgeous photos-thank you, and I read your article too.
I was so happy to find out about your blog party in time to participate. I have met so many wonderful bloggers threw your event-and I have doubled my followers as well. so glad to be able to find people of similiar interests that actually comment too-I love that-thank you so much again for the blog party Kathy

Sherrie {Bird Lady} said...

What a beautiful place San Juan is. I'm not much of a traveler, as I get motion sickness easily, so what fun it is to see these far off places through your photos.

How cool your feature has been published!

~ Sherrie (Bird Lady)

Anonymous said...

What beautiful photos and what a lovely trip you had!
Thank you again for GYB, I have made new friends, enjoy more travels!

Shirley said...

Vicki, All I can say is wow. I love the trip and felt like I was right there with you. I am still working my way through the list on Grow our blog party. I will be back to see the pretty pink scarfs, I have seen some on other people's blog that they were making for you. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs and Prayers Your Missouri Friend.

Lois Evensen said...

Such a lovely review. :) You bring out the beauty of San Juan.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Thank you for the beautiful tour, Vicki. Looking at these pictures of brightl sunny days, lifts the spirits of one who is looking out at grey skies and the beginning of a snowstorm.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures Vicki!
And you look gorgeous & happy :)))
Danette

Elizabeth Edwards said...

looks like a great trip. love the shot of the cats. so cute!!! thanks for sharing. have a great weekend. ( :

Everydaythings said...

Vicki - thank you for the lovely blog party and all the hard work you put into that.

The view from that cemetary must be the nicest vie I ever saw and yes those statues are hearbreakingly beautiful... what a lovely city san juan looks!

Quinn said...

Those photos really take me back, Vicki! I did research at the Caribbean National Forest (El Yunque) many years ago, and had the chance to visit Old San Juan once. I remember El Morro vividly :)

Thank you again for hosting and organizing and inviting us all to the Grow Your Blog Party! What a lot of fun it's been, and as you say, still going on :)

Unknown said...

Hi Vicki
San Juan is beautiful and so are the photos especially the statues ones Thanks for sharing them with us and once again thanks for Grow Your Blog Party
love
Maria

Richard Lawry said...

San Juan and El Morrow are awesome. I haven't been there since the 70's, but would love to go back.

An Arkies Musings



DreamChallenge said...

Your God given ability to take us their with you and Dan is truly incredible. Sharing your life with us is a blessing. LU Jan

Createology said...

I adore your travels and photographs. You really explore and relax and enjoy every moment of your time away. Living life to its fullest joy. Thank you for sharing with us.

Tanna said...

I'm ready to head to San Juan right NOW!! beautiful photos!! blessings ~ tanna

yaya said...

It's been so long since I visited that beautiful place but you brought back all the memories. Thanks! I love cemeteries too and that one is just gorgeous. I could feel the special spirit it has through your pics. Your travel logs are amazing as well as the photos. Stunning! I've enjoyed the blog party and have met some lovely folks so far...it's going to take me a bit to visit more sites but it's been fun! Now on to the pink scarves!

Anonymous said...

OMG Vicki! I have never been able to travel to some of the exotic and beautiful places you have seen and I can't thank you enough for sharing them with us. Your writing and photography make it almost seem that is was actually our vacation!:D I just told the magazine so as well, and liked them on FB! Gotta keep you traveling and writing my new friend!
Hugs,
Beth P

Mereknits said...

So gorgeous, thanks for taking us on this trip with you.
Hugs,
Meredith

Tanya said...

What a BEAUTIFUL way to start my morning...I love travelling with you! XOXO Tanya

Tanya said...

P.S. - GIRL!!!! I just went and read your travel article on San Juan - YOU ROCK!!! Fantastic article - if I ever get there, I'm taking it with me. Double XOXO - Happy weekend - Tanya

eileeninmd said...

I was happy to find you blog after seeing so many enjoying your blog party. Your San Juan photos are lovely and bring back memories of my own cruise and stop at this port. Wonderful post!

Suzanne McClendon said...

These photos are absolutely beautiful! I especially love the angel statuary and the archway...breathtaking!

Honey from the Bee said...

That El Morro photo - to die for! I love that color palette and the peeling paint. I think I'm going to have to do a bedroom in those colors. : )

Love your photos and I am going to add San Juan to a must see.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Vicki, Beautiful travel photos. Thanks for sharing them with us. Thanks for the GYBP. It has been very exciting visiting blog I have never seen before. Lovely event indeed. Hugs Judy

Lesa said...

I'm joining everyone in saying your photos are gorgeous! Thanks so much for a peek at a beautiful location. Congratulations on your article too.

The blog party has been a tremendous success for me too. I have more than doubled my followers and have met the most amazing people, artists all, including you. Thanks again for having the party!

Patrice said...

I'd only ever been at the airport in Puerto Rico waiting for a connector with no time to go anywhere.I regret not seeing more while I was there.

Your GYB party was an amazing success for me. Thanks!

Fundy Blue said...

Hi Vicki!
I am a friend of Jim (Ocean Breezes) and Ron (From Sophie's View), and I am a new blogger (since Oct.). I'm a little late on the grow your blog party because I've been out of town. But I'm going to explore your blog list below. I'm not quite sure how it all works, but it sounds like fun. I enjoyed your post on San Juan, Puerto Rico, a place I've never been. You took such beautiful photos. I'm going to follow your blog, and I will definitely be back. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Sherri said...

Vicki-what a lovely post! Your photos of the angels in the cemetery are so beautiful!! I always love to live through you on your adventures! Hugs!!

Terri said...

Hello Vicki, what a fabulous tour! It looks so beautiful. And You look very beautiful! That was an amazing trip!
I really enjoyed your GYB party. I must have visited over 75 blogs so far. It has been fascinating!
And yes, I have more followers now, maybe 40. But that wasn't my real reason for joining in. I truly love meeting other bloggers, especially new ones. The sad part is that I know I can't keep up with all the wonderful bloggers I have just met! I will have to do some kind of rotational visits : )
Ah, Bloglandia is full of joy!
Hugs,
and Thank You so very much for hosting!
Terri Heinz
artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

suziqu's thread works said...

Hello Sweet friend,
San Juan through your guided tour will always strike a cord with me after viewing the amazing Santa Maria Magdalena Cemetry. Those stone angels are really something that stay with me.
Thank you for sharing this and also Vicki for the tremendous time, effort and energy you have poured into the GYB party for us all.

I have met some amazing people that I never knew even had a blog thanks to you.

You have rewarded us well!
With this goes much love and gratitude!
xox Suzy

Esme said...

Vicki thank you for taking me on vacation. It is rainy and gloomy this morning but that is okay. The photos are lovely and you are stunning in them. I love the red door, the sleeping kitties and the soft pastels.

Jan Thomason said...

Miss Vicki:)
I refuse to go to san juan unless we can go together.
I really want to go and it's because of your photographs

The photo of El Morro Fortress -I would frame and hang. THOSE are the kind of photos I love.
And, I always stop at cemetaries on the back roads when I travel. They are where i love to have my camera. The old ones - such beauty.
My favorite one is in Shreveport, LA.
I got my best cemetery photo there.

Your photo of the angel with the dark sky behind here - fabulous!!

So, let's plan a trip to san juan just to prove i'm serious! Love you lots, Jan

Marlynne said...

Vicki: Your travel pictures are fabulously beautiful and so are you! The Grow Your Blog Party has been great! Proof that it works my little blog mmcreatesdaily.blogspot.com has 43 followers now and my other blog preciouscottage.blogspot.com that some how missed getting on the list just has 13. I haven't got to visit nearly all the blogs yet due to slow computer and active 18 mo great grandson! Thanks for all your work! You desirve a get away! Marlynne

Marlynne said...

Vicki: Your travel pictures are fabulously beautiful and so are you! The Grow Your Blog Party has been great! Proof that it works my little blog mmcreatesdaily.blogspot.com has 43 followers now and my other blog preciouscottage.blogspot.com that some how missed getting on the list just has 13. I haven't got to visit nearly all the blogs yet due to slow computer and active 18 mo great grandson! Thanks for all your work! You desirve a get away! Marlynne

Elizabeth Johnson said...

beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing. What a lovely trip.
~Elizabeth

Anti Money Laundering said...

So beautiful place to visit, What an amazing trip you have. Lovely photos of you too.

Patty C. said...

Gorgeous photos !!!

Bella@artclubblog said...

I may have missed the party, but I discovered a lovely blog instead (by way of "What's Happening At Grandma's"). Your photos are beautiful, and leave me dreaming of the summer :)

Tootsie said...

what a beautiful place!

Sue Kosec said...

Once again, I am now home from a fabulous vacation -- one that I didn't even have to pack a suitcase or (gasp!) get on an airplane. Thank you, Vicki, for the wonderful guided tour. I absolutely LOVE the picture of El Morrow Fortress ... beautiful!

Laura Quaglia (Fun With This and That) said...

San Juan looks like so much like Cadaz Spain. Your pictures are great. Laura

Kristie said...

Beautiful photos! My daughter-in-law, who passed away several years ago was from Puerto Rico. She and my son went there for a week and took the most breathtaking photos. It is a beautiful country with lovely cities.

Rosemary and Thyme said...

Wow, what stunning pictures of my home,Puerto Rico. Such nostalgia for home. I have not been there in a few years and this brings me such pleasure. Thank you for making my day.

Janet
rosemary-thyme.blogspot.com

Lynn said...

Breathtaking! I adored your photos and now I know that I must visit this magical place.
I think your GYOB party was a huge success. I know that I now have 13 more followers than when we started and for that I thank you.
I'm still making my way around all the different blogs!

Ziggyeor said...

your trip looks beautiful! As a whovian though, those angel statues are creeping me out a bit but they are beautiful.

Bonnie said...

Hi Vicki. I just stumbled upon your beautiful blog. We took the whole family to PR for a week last spring and it is a beautiful island. So sorry we missed the cemetary. I also wanted to tell you how much I love your photos of red rock country (my home state) and your gorgeous wool leaves blanket. As a knitter, I appreciate your fine work.

Fundy Blue said...

Hi Vicki! Your blog is now visible on my blog. I'm quite new to this, and I forgot I had to add you on my actual blog as well as to my reading list. Thank you for putting together a list of wonderful blogs! I am enjoying exploring them. I like to write about traveling too, and I have done several posts on Iceberg Alley in Newfoundland and Labrador - quite a bit different from San Juan. Have a happy day!

Maureen said...

Wow, incredible photos, especially since it is terribly cold and snowy up here, so images of sun and sand are most welcome!

I have been having such a great time visiting all the blogs on your Grow Your Blog list; I have made it through everyone up to the last section of 200+ Followers. Thank you so much again for doing this Vicki! I have found many new blogging friends!

Silke Powers said...

Oh, Vicki,

It seems I was just there yesterday by looking at your photos! What a gorgeous place that was! And that cemetery ~ one of our favorites!

We can't wait to go back!! Love, Silke

Lili said...

You have a gift my dear! The cemetery shots are especially beautiful. You should have your own travel show!!! xoxo