Honeymoon is a State of Mind -Mike Post

We were supposed to be in Puerto Rico on Thursday, but that didn't really work out so well.

We showed up to the airport on time, and the airplane even pulled away from the gate, but then we went back to the gate and were told to get off the plane because a fuel gauge was malfunctioning. It was all very exciting. For a few hours we thought we might still get to take off that day, but then the flight was outright canceled and there were no other flights going out from DC.

At the airport bright and early to have our dreams crushed!

After spending a while on the phone fixing tours and hotel rooms,we decided that we were still going to be on honeymoon regardless of location. I called up 1789. We had our wedding there, and we KNEW their service was excellent and wouldn't let us down. We were right. The manager remembered us when we called, saved us a corner table next to the fireplace, and brought us free dishes to try out. 

Duck and venison- both equally good.

Carrot cake with pistachio ice cream- excellent.

The next morning we woke up and went through the airport drill again, but this time our plan actually took off!

And landed here. So much warmer.

We were very happy to be warm.

When we arrived at the hotel we were surprised to find that some good people had given us certificates to the spa for massages. I had never had a "spa" massage before, and other than not knowing what was going on I found it very enjoyable. 

Other than a trip out kayaking a bioluminescent bay (you smack the water with a paddle and it sparkle/glows. Worth doing once, certainly) we spent most of our time walking in Old San Juan or around the hotel eating and looking at animals. I say this up front so you can be keenly aware of the content of every picture that follows. 

The Animals

Peacock just hanging around our hotel.

Cats everywhere in Old San Juan. The town seemed to take care of them as a collective, and I had to keep telling Kelsey she couldn't take any home. That didn't stop her from taking pictures of them all.

All of them.

This goose started following me somewhat aggressively.

The lizards were also very nice.

The Food

Kelsey took charge of most of our meals, and found us some great places within walking distance.

Smoked pork with caramelized onions, goat cheese gnocchi, and pork belly with brown sugar glaze over mofongo. 

Pina Colada at Barranchinos, which did not disappoint in its reputation as having the best Pina Coladas around

They were very good. It's not like we were going to stop at one.

I know what you're thinking- why get pizza in Puerto Rico?

We didn't get pictures of the food here, but thought the decor was neat.

This paella was really our only meal that did not amaze us. It was just good. On the plus side, though, it did come with a flamenco guitar show.

Kelsey said she enjoyed the show and Juan Carlos said "well we've been together fifty-four years, my guitar and I" which is one of the many varied and magical phrases that can make Kelsey well up with tears and want to cry.



And just because we could we ordered room service exactly once and got ice cream.

The Walking Around

Old San Juan is a beautiful place to walk around. We logged about nine miles just criss-crossing the streets between places to eat and get pina coladas one day. At the end of the trip, we may have realized that we only ever got pina coladas. They were good.

About to go in one of the forts that protected San Juan harbor.

On a walk in a park area near our hotel.

Panoramic view from some of the walls of Old San Juan

We were very sad to leave but so grateful that we were able to spend some time together and forget, just for a few days, that it was winter. Now time to go back up to Rhode Island!