BILLY BONES Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 About 3 days ago, I returned from a movie job in Puerto Rico. I was there for a month. and even though the job wasn't my cup of tea, or rum anyway, my time off was pretty amazing! If you've been there. you know, but if you haven't, I'll tell you a little of what you can expect. Old San Juan was, and is, a walled city, dating from around 1510, and the walls and Spanish forts are still there. Being a U.S. possession, the 2 main forts have some nice park service displays, and since the forts overlook the Caribbean Sea, nice views. I was put up at the Carib Hilton, and the hotel is surrounded by Spanish gun emplacements. The first week, I was rather disappointed in the lack of piratical merchandise (you got to get a t-shirt), although the forts had some pirate books, repro doubloons, and little pirate figures. On my last day in San Juan, I walked into a shop that had some beautiful repro charts of the area from the 18th century, so after buying a couple, I asked the lady where all the pirate stuff was? She sent me to La Fortaleza St. (everything's within walking distance), and there it was, an entire 3 blocks devoted to piracy in some form or other! Antique shops full of real Spanish doubloons, reales, etc., pistols, shipwreck finds, cutlasses, and,of course, t-shirts. Naturally, that was the day I was broke, but hey, I found it! I would spend some time telling you about the historic sites, like Ponce de Leon's house, etc., but let me just say that the trip is worth it! Of course, I was there on somebody else's dime, so I'm not sure about expenses. For all you surfers, I also got to watch the World championships in Rincon, but true to form, I was drinking Mojitos and watching rather scantilly clad ladies most of the time. sigh. Capt. William Bones Then he rapped on the door with a bit of stick like a handspike that he carried, and when my father appeared, called roughly for a glass of rum. This, when it was brought to him, he drank slowly, like a connoisseur, lingering on the taste, and still looking about him at the cliffs and up at our signboard. "This is a handy cove," says he, at length; " and a pleasant sittyated grog-shop. Much company, mate?" My father told him no, very little company, the more was the pity. "Well, then," said he, "this is the berth for me." Proprietor of Flags of Fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Jim Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 It's a tough job, Billy, but someone has to do it. My occupational hazard bein' my occupation's just not around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capnwilliam Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Sounds like a fun place, Billy, maybe we'll make it our next vacation destination, once we can afford to take a vacation! Capt. William "The fight's not over while there's a shot in the locker!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILLY BONES Posted January 30, 2007 Author Share Posted January 30, 2007 By the way, there's talk of a Blackbeard movie or series being filmed there in September. I'll keep you posted as I find out more. BB Capt. William Bones Then he rapped on the door with a bit of stick like a handspike that he carried, and when my father appeared, called roughly for a glass of rum. This, when it was brought to him, he drank slowly, like a connoisseur, lingering on the taste, and still looking about him at the cliffs and up at our signboard. "This is a handy cove," says he, at length; " and a pleasant sittyated grog-shop. Much company, mate?" My father told him no, very little company, the more was the pity. "Well, then," said he, "this is the berth for me." Proprietor of Flags of Fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Maria Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 I went to Puerto Rico to visit relatives when I was 12. A branch of my family has been on the island since 1512 (royal land grant holders). I remember Old San Juan very well and I loved the Old World feel of it streets. I particularly remember a very good restaurant in a very old hotel. I can't remeber the name but it's the oldest one in Old San Juan. Do you know it Billy? Please do keep us inform on the Blackbeard film! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILLY BONES Posted January 31, 2007 Author Share Posted January 31, 2007 I regret that I don't know the restaurant. I was working most of the time I was there, and didn't get to explore as much as I'd hoped. Capt. William Bones Then he rapped on the door with a bit of stick like a handspike that he carried, and when my father appeared, called roughly for a glass of rum. This, when it was brought to him, he drank slowly, like a connoisseur, lingering on the taste, and still looking about him at the cliffs and up at our signboard. "This is a handy cove," says he, at length; " and a pleasant sittyated grog-shop. Much company, mate?" My father told him no, very little company, the more was the pity. "Well, then," said he, "this is the berth for me." Proprietor of Flags of Fortune. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Cat Jenny Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 I loved Old San Juan. It was beautiful. I still have a bottle of Bacardi wrapped in Newspaper from that trip. Put away somewhere. The Fort was closed when I got there, but it was still impressive and a grand view. It gave you that feeling of touching history. The only thing that almost ruins it is a HOOTERS just across the street. Go figure.. The ESJ (El San Juan Hotel ) was amazing Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help.... Her reputation was her livelihood. I'm a pirate, love. By nature and by choice! My inner voice sometimes has an accent! My wont? A delicious rip in time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Maria Posted February 1, 2007 Share Posted February 1, 2007 Wae ESJ hotel an old Spanish colonial building witha acoutyard that ahd a fountain in it? If it does amybe that's what I'm thinking of. Puerto Rico is a lovely island with terrific food. If any of you get a chance to go do so! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Cat Jenny Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 The El San Juan Hotel is a large resort with if I remember 3 pools, tennis courts and I think it had a courtyard with a fountain (near an outdoor bbq pit?) It had a casino, a cigar bar and a french pastry counter. Also I believe 4 or 5 restaurants one of which was fabulous Italian food. There was a grand piano in the lobby. Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help.... Her reputation was her livelihood. I'm a pirate, love. By nature and by choice! My inner voice sometimes has an accent! My wont? A delicious rip in time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capnwilliam Posted February 14, 2007 Share Posted February 14, 2007 The last post about whatever portion of whoever's anatomy we were supposed to view has been deleted. Capt. William "The fight's not over while there's a shot in the locker!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
 {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '1074427760321280'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); </script> <noscript><img height=)
&ev=PageView&cd%5Bitem_id%5D=9826&cd%5Bitem_name%5D=Old+San+Juan&cd%5Bitem_type%5D=topic&cd%5Bcategory_name%5D=Ports O'Call"/>
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now