Thursday, February 25, 2016

Aloha to Puerto Rico - Isle of Enchantment

Fort San Felipe del Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Public Domain (link)

This week I am featuring places I will visit this year.  On Tuesday, we chatted about San Diego at this link.  Today we chat about Puerto Rico where hubby and I will spend our 20th anniversary in the fall.

I lived in Puerto Rico for three years as a toddler - I have no memory of the tropical isle.  But I am intrigued by the Spanish heritage and natural beauty.  Here are some sights to see ....

Castillo San Felipe del Morro:  From the National Park Service (link),

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, (El Morro) sits atop a high promontory overlooking the entrance to the San Juan Bay. It is the result of the efforts of Spanish engineers over a period of more than 250 years and is one of the largest fortifications built by the Spain in the Caribbean. Although its foundation was laid in 1539, the six-level fortification was not considered complete until 1787. 

Castillo San Felipe del Morro from El Cañuelo
Public Domain (link)

El Yunque National Forest:  From USDA Forest Service (link),

A visit to the El Yunque National Forest is a special experience. We are the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest System. Only in El Yunque can you see the giant tree ferns and tropical birds such as the Puerto Rican Parrot. Only from El Yunque can you enjoy vistas of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Four images from around the forest: tropical flower, parrots, tropical trees, brick tower

Old San Juan: From the National Park Service (link),

The Viejo San Juan on the island of Puerto Rico was reluctantly founded by the famous Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León in 1519. With time, thanks to its advantageous geographic location, the center flourished and became the punta de lanza (point of the spear) of the Spanish Empire in the Americas.

Aerial view of Fort San Felipe del Morro and Old San Juan
Aerial view of Old San Juan
Public Domain (link)

What do you know about Puerto Rico?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 27, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 28.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

1766 map of San Juan
Public Domain (link)

12 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to visit but have never been.

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  2. I don't know much about it, but by looking at the pictures I can tell that it's a beautiful place!!

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  3. I've been to Puerto Rico although it was quite awhile ago. I do remember the Bacardi Rum Factory!!

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  4. I've never been to Puerto Rico although I've heard my family rave and rant about it all the time however the bit that has gotten my interest is the culture and heritage I always like discovering and exploring new cultures and the Puerto Rican culture has got me intrigued

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  5. I know very little about this country, I am guessing it is beautiful.

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  6. I did get to visit for a day once and loved it - lots of history. My husband was stationed there but only for 3 months and he was on ready alert so I couldn't join him. I think it would have been exciting.

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  7. Don't know much about the history of Puerto Rico. I would love to visit one day.

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  8. I keep thinking of that song in West Side Story, "America"! I have not been to Puerto Rico, but someone did once bring me some excellent rum from there!

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  9. I've never been to Puerto Rico - I know it has a very old fort there

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  10. I don't know anything about it but I enjoyed your pictures.

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  11. My knowledge about Puerto Rico is very slim.....Happy 20 years.

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