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Just back, some pre-trip report thoughts
Just back, some pre-trip report thoughts
We returned home late last night from a San Juan/STJ trip. I am pulling my pictures off the cameras and thought I would post a few thoughts.
We started out our trip with three nights in Old San Juan. I am glad we did it, very interesting section of the city.
Park Rangers - we saw at least one, sometimes two and three park rangers on the beaches most days. They were policing for glass bottles and who knows whatever else. I saw one walking down the path to Denis Bay!
Crowds - On Friday, Hawksnest was like the "shore" on any popular east coast beach during the height of the summer season. I have never seen crowds like that on STJ.
Firsts - We finally visited Vie's Beach as well as Kiddle and Little Lamshuer (sp?) We took a tour with VI Ecotours and stayed over towards Coral Bay. I also learned to dislike Skinny's a little bit less.
I can't even begin to describe the airport yesterday. Complete sea of people. The line just to go through C&I was snaked all the way back to the area where you enter the baggage claim section of the airport.
We started out our trip with three nights in Old San Juan. I am glad we did it, very interesting section of the city.
Park Rangers - we saw at least one, sometimes two and three park rangers on the beaches most days. They were policing for glass bottles and who knows whatever else. I saw one walking down the path to Denis Bay!
Crowds - On Friday, Hawksnest was like the "shore" on any popular east coast beach during the height of the summer season. I have never seen crowds like that on STJ.
Firsts - We finally visited Vie's Beach as well as Kiddle and Little Lamshuer (sp?) We took a tour with VI Ecotours and stayed over towards Coral Bay. I also learned to dislike Skinny's a little bit less.
I can't even begin to describe the airport yesterday. Complete sea of people. The line just to go through C&I was snaked all the way back to the area where you enter the baggage claim section of the airport.
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News of St. John
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PaminMaine
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My daughter had an exerience this week on Cinnamon. They were in St Thomas for a week and ventured to STJ. 2 young couples in their 20's , had bottles and was approached by a park ranger and got a $50 fine. Not defending her, you play you pay.. lol She then watched the man disappear into some bushes and get out some binoculars to watch down the beach ! LOL .On their way out they ran into a coulple in their 50's who also received a fine, and was not so happy about the rangers arrogant attitude. Will make sure that I have no glass with me next week!
MB - we stayed at this hotel. We met many couples staying there pre-cruise, so many that they all assumed we were doing the same.mit43 wrote:We also loved Old San Juan. We stay at the El Convento every time we have a connection through SJU.
It is a very nice hotel. When we are in a city, we like to stay at places that allow us to walk to the sites and restaurants. The El Convento was perfect for that.
It also has fantastic outdoor spaces. We spent our days walking around town, visiting the forts and parks, etc. and then we would head back to the hotel and hang out at the pool. (very small but fine for cooling off)
There is a very nice manager's reception each evening with great wines and cheeses.
hmmm....seems they should start giving fines to the smokers who love to throw their butts in the sand?PaminMaine wrote:My daughter had an exerience this week on Cinnamon. They were in St Thomas for a week and ventured to STJ. 2 young couples in their 20's , had bottles and was approached by a park ranger and got a $50 fine. Not defending her, you play you pay.. lol She then watched the man disappear into some bushes and get out some binoculars to watch down the beach ! LOL .On their way out they ran into a coulple in their 50's who also received a fine, and was not so happy about the rangers arrogant attitude. Will make sure that I have no glass with me next week!
Interesting point.surfnh wrote:hmmm....seems they should start giving fines to the smokers who love to throw their butts in the sand?PaminMaine wrote:My daughter had an exerience this week on Cinnamon. They were in St Thomas for a week and ventured to STJ. 2 young couples in their 20's , had bottles and was approached by a park ranger and got a $50 fine. Not defending her, you play you pay.. lol She then watched the man disappear into some bushes and get out some binoculars to watch down the beach ! LOL .On their way out they ran into a coulple in their 50's who also received a fine, and was not so happy about the rangers arrogant attitude. Will make sure that I have no glass with me next week!
I remember seeing maybe one sort of sharp piece of glass on the beach in 15+ years. Cig butts are, sadly, all over the place. We have responbile smokers in our group so I know not every smoker leaves butts.
On Hawksnest, the ranger was popping in and out of the sea grapes.
Another thing we saw on Hawksnest - a family next to us collected a huge pile of coral and shells to take home. I heard the kids talking about painting them to sell at some school fair. I silently wrestled with telling them they shouldn't take the stuff but in end, I didn't say anything.