Airline passenger news and views

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit the rather unusual destination of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. San Juan itself is located on the western half of a small island called the ‘Isleta de San Juan’ which is connected to the mainland by two bridges and a causeway.

I was, along with my partner, visiting friends and the experience was unique.

The streets of Old San Juan are made of blue bricks, called Adoquin, which were cast from furnace slag bought over as ballast on Spanish ships. The whole architecturally pleasing area has a truly old-Spanish feel, with its colourful painted houses, most with rooftop terraces and spectacular views of the sea.

The port welcomes cruise ships and offers a chance to see the historical sights, shops and sounds of Old San Juan. The people were so friendly and although Spanish was their first language, English was widely spoken.

We explored the opulent town, with its many statues adorning street corners, and visited the El Morro Fort which was constructed during the 17^th and 18^th centuries to defend the coastline. This dramatic fortress  rises 140 feet above the sea on a rocky promontory with six huge levels of ramps, barracks, dungeons, turrets, towers and tunnels.

Another memorable place was the Gallery Inn, where we dined with our friends. The Gallery sits high aloft the Old City’s North Wall, commanding sensuous Atlantic Ocean breezes and gorgeous views to the South over the entire San Juan Bay and mountainous central regions of Puerto Rico.

Created within six interconnecting townhouses, the Inn’s 23,000 sprawling square feet have been home to artist Jan D’Esopo since 1961. Brick patios, antique arches, ausubo beams, and a multitude of sculptured fountains are among the Inn’s many charming architectural details. The food itself was simply spectacular.

I write about Old San Juan as it was one of the few places in the world that truly caught my attention. It encapsulates history and breathtaking views of the ocean and seems to have retained its very own time capsule.