My very first trip to Puerto Rico – and it coincided with the Fiesta De la Calle San Sabastian. There were 2 more days of festivities and music. We learnt about it when we arrived and was told that this was the biggest party in Old San Juan and it’s something we should not miss. So we tried to get there right away on a Saturday at around 4pm, we joined the endless cars driving in and around Old San Juan- we drove for more than 2 hours trying to find parking but it proved fruitless;  streets were being closed even as we made numerous detours. We gave up on the third hour but were determined to get there early Sunday to make sure we found parking…and we did and spent the entire next day just enjoying the sights, food, activities and music. We headed into the first crowded local diner upon arrival and I ordered bifsteak lomillo with monfongo. (steak and onions with mashed plaintains) Delicious! It was one of the best we had and because it was so good the first time, in the next few days we ordered monfongo with our meal but they were not as good as that first day at the diner, in our opinion. I was wondering if I can find the right kind of bananas and make some myself when I returned home.  The one regret I had was that I never got to taste Peurto Rican coffee which I heard is very good. I also loved their Mojitos. Got to practice my Spanish as well.  For activities, we went kayaking after dark through mangrove channels that led into Laguna Grande in the famous Bio Bay bioluminescent Lagoon tour. In the dark we could see the glow created by microscopic plankton as the paddle moved in the water as well as when our hands disturbed the water-we could see the luminescent microbes encompassing our hands and as the water rolls off – one can see the “glitter” as the glowing organisms followed the water flow.  My very first vacation away from wintry Midwest this year was a great experience.

http://s835.photobucket.com/albums/zz280/Musegrrl25/1st%20Visit%20to%20Puerto%20Rico/?action=view&current=35dd9ab3.pbw

http://s835.photobucket.com/albums/zz280/Musegrrl25/1st%20Visit%20to%20Puerto%20Rico/?action=view&current=SanJuansightseeing_0001.flv

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