August 9, 2015 - Tanya's trip to Puerto Rico and to the Southern Caribbean - Day 2

Tanya's Daily Blog
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: PUERTO RICO

Here are the Top 15 Fun Facts about Puerto Rico!

Hey Hey Hey! Happy Sunday! 
Glad that you could make it..


GREETINGS once again from San Juan, Puerto Rico!

Today we are heading to the worlds LARGEST radio telescope (see the Top 15 Fun Facts about Puerto Rico listed below). 

Anyhow, I had made an attempt to visit this famous telescope back in 2009; but it happened to be on Palm Sunday and not until I drove up to the parking lot did I find out that they were CLOSED!

Another BIG thing that we will be doing is taking a cruise that is heading to sea to see 5 additional Caribbean Islands! Click HERE

Now for some basics:

Yesterday was great fun as we toured the capital and charming city San Juan. 

It rained on us, downpour after downpour. 
We brought our packable rain jackets but conveniently left them in the car!

I absolutely love the rain, and really don't mind getting wet. BUT I had attempted to cover my freshly and professionally styled hair from turning into a FRIZZ bomb with a flimsy map! LOL

We saw a few laughable sites! And some that were postcard perfect!

My brand new flip flops were a huge FLOP and were rubbing my left foot raw. Once I get back home, I am so returning these retarded shoes!

And I can't leave out all the yummy vegan versions of the traditional foods that we had the opportunity to try from Cafe Berlin! 

Vegan Mofongo!

You can definitely count on a future FOODIE FRIDAY feature about this lovely Old Town San Juan dining experience!

And now, I'm gonna cut it short here - lots more for me to see and do!!
I hope that you enjoy all of the pictures, and I want to send a personal welcome all of our the newcomers!
I hope that you've subscribed :)

See below for the TOP 15 FUN FACTS ABOUT PUERTO RICO!!

Sights of: Castillo San Cristobal

Sights of: Castillo San Cristobal

Sights of: Castillo San Cristobal

Sights of: Castillo San Cristobal

Holy Crap! These move and they are HEAVY!!!!

Still at Castillo San Cristobal

Looking out from Castillo San Cristobal

TOP 15 FUN FACTS ABOUT PUERTO RICO

1. Puerto Rico is considered a territory of the United States. Its official name is the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
2. Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Sea, about 1,000 mi east-southeast of Miami, Florida.
3. Puerto Rico is approximately 30 miles wide from north to south and about 90 miles from west to east. The land area is about 3,435 square miles. Puerto Rico is comparable to the state of Connecticut.
4. Population: 3,620,897 (July 2014 est.)
5. Christopher Columbus discovered the island in 1493, one year after he discovered the Americas. He named it San Juan Bautista, after John the Baptist.
6. San Juan is the second oldest European city in the Western Hemisphere. The official name is: Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist).
7. The United States gained Puerto Rico as a territory after the Spanish-American War in 1898. The Treaty of Paris that was signed to end the war allotted the island country to the United States in 1917. 
8. The population of Puerto Rico is about 3.37 million, most residents are descendants of Spanish and Portuguese, the official languages are Spanish and English.
9. Many of the words that Puerto Ricans use for building names, household items and food products originated from the Taino Indians, who lived in Puerto Rico before Christopher Columbus founded the island.
10. Borikén – original name of the island given by the Taino natives. Today the name Borinquen is widely used.  Puerto Ricans proudly call themselves boricuas which carries pride and love for their island.
11. San Felipe del Morro is a 16th-century citadel commonly known as El Morro which dates to 1540. Rising 140 feet above the sea, its 18-foot-thick wall proved a formidable defense. Today El Morro is a National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service.
12. Built in 1634, Castillo de San Cristí³bal (San Cristíbal Fort) is El Morro’s partner in the defense of San Juan.  It’s a World Heritage and National Historic Site, administered by the U.S. National Park Service.
13. One of the world’s most favorite mixed drinks, the Piña Colada, was born in Puerto Rico, but the identity of the bartender who first mixed up the iconic rum-based cocktail remains a point of contention.
14. The Arecibo radio telescope is the world's largest telescope.  The dish measures a thousand feet in diameter and spans about 20 acres, and is also the most sensitive radio telescope in the world.
15. Puerto Rico is home to more bioluminescent bays then anywhere in the world.

That's about it for today folks!

See ya tomorrow when I'll be greeting you from St. Thomas!

Toodles,
-T

Elisa's Daily Blog
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: SEPTEMBER

Food, Friends and Fun

Hello, Hello!! 
Another lovely Sunday over here on Long Island!

I'm back out in Remsenburg (near West Hampton) and I'm gearing up for my girls' pool party here today.  Made a killer fruit salad last night! As I was getting the chips, salsa and other goodies ready for serving this morning, Gianna reminded me that we needed marshmallows for the s'mores.

So, off I went to the supermarket, lest I disappoint a whole group of girls later this evening when they're ready to sit around the fire pit with their chocolate and graham crackers.

ME WITH GIGI, VEGAN FOOD BLOGGER AND TRAVELIN' COUSINS GUEST WRITER

Before I go any further about my day today, let me tell you all about yesterday!! I'd like to sum it up for you:  FOOD, NEW FRIENDS and FUN!!!

I finally had the pleasure of meeting our guest blog writer, Gigi and her wonderful parents Patty and John in NYC.

I need to tell you about this amazing girl.  She is mature beyond her years and her creativity is abounding!!

It was obvious that both me and Tanya were impressed with Gigi's writing as a young vegan food blogger and felt the caliber of her work would complement our site by virtue of the fact that we have published her work here on TC.  However, meeting her in person, took me to a whole other level.  

What a joy to see such drive and talent in a young person!

Stay tuned, as we will be collaborating more with Gigi on Travelin' Cousins!!

PATTY, GIGI, GIANNA AND ME OUTSIDE BLOSSOM

JOHN AND PATTY (GIGI'S AMAZING PARENTS)

Our get-together was totally fun!! We all met up at Blossom on Columbus Avenue (between 84th & 85th Street) in Manhattan.  Gianna was eager to join us, as she herself is a YouTuber with her own channel and she also writes for Travelin' Cousins KIDS blog!

Kelsey opted out. At 8 years old, she preferred to go swimming!  

It was such a lovely afternoon.  I can't tell you the joy it brought me to meet some of my blog followers in person and become friends!!!

Patty and I were chatting about how both of our daughters have the same name! Gigi is "Gianna Marie" (which I wanted to name my Gianna since that is my middle name) and my Gianna is "Gianna Michele!" 

The food was quite yummy, and the highlight for me was my delectable shake, made with almond milk, peanut butter,  and chocolate. Wow! is all I can say.

We decided to share a bunch of appetizers first and then order our main courses.  Unfortunately, something weird happened.  After our starters, (which were dee-lish, by the way), the waiter brought salads and ONE of the TWO dishes that Gigi, Patty and I ordered.  They totally forget to bring our additional main course dishes!!

MY TOTALLY YUMMY SHAKE

YUMMMMM

We were so busy chatting and laughing and sharing stories, that when they cleared the table and brought the check, it was Gigi who realized, that half our meal was never served.  

By this point, we were pretty well stuffed, so it was okay, but John had to have those items taken off the bill.  Kinda strange that the items appeared on our bill, but the order never came.  

In any case, all was good and the afternoon was a blast!!!

We said our goodbyes, but hopefully not for long, as Gigi is looking to return to NYC in the not-too-distant future!!

Mushroom Ravioli wild mushrooms, truffle “butter” sauce

Raw Sweet Potato Rolls jicama, carrots, coconut, red peppers, scallions, sweet potato wrap, almond-ginger dipping sauce

Quinoa Pancakes whipped coconut mascarpone, maple syrup

French Toast home-style with fresh berries, tempeh bacon, and maple syrup

Caesar Salad romaine, herbed croutons, gomashio, shiitake mushrooms, caesar dressing

Now, if we hadn't had enough food, Gianna had her eye on a Macaron bakery "Macaron Parlour" that we passed while walking to Blossom, earlier. 

She begged me to stop in on our way back to the parking lot.  How could I say no!  Another eatery to check out!! Two in one day!

CLICK the image for their website

It was absolutely adorable inside.  Small, but cozy, with a full showcase of sweet treats!!

There are currently two locations - Upper West Side (560 Columbus Avenue between 87h & 88t Streets) and the East Village (111 St. Marks Place between 1st & Ave A).  All of the baking happens in the East Village location, which is their larger and premiere store.

I told Gianna she could get four (since it was 4 for $10).  She decided on S'Mores, Party Time (salted milk chocolate & Dulce de Leche), Caramel Fleur Sel (salted caramel and chocolate) and Pistachio (for her mom since that's my favorite!).

I was too full to try them after our big meal and that rich shake, but Gianna mentioned to polish off two on the ride back to Long Island!

GIANNA IN MACARON PARLOUR ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE

Back to today...
Well, the festivities should get started at around 2pm, when the kids' friends are expected to arrive. In total, it will be a nice, manageable group - - 8 kids and a few moms.  

The weather couldn't be more perfect to enjoy the pool, the water slide, the swings and the trampoline here at our little Long Island family "camp."

Earlier this morning, I took an invigorating walk, sat down by my boat dock and just did some quiet meditation and reflection.

Had such an amazing week with great people - so very grateful for everything and everyone in my life!

VIEW OF THE MARINA FROM MY BOAT DOCK

MORE VIEWS

MY NEIGHBOR'S HORSE, WHO I LOVE TO SAY HI TO DURING MY WALKS

Finally, Tanya is having a blast with Dave in Puerto Rico.  PLEASE read her Blog today and all about her visit to Castillo San Cristobal.

She also has a special 15 for '15: 
15 Fun Facts about Puerto Rico!

I hope you have a blessed Sunday today!
See ya back here tomorrow!


-E
xoxo

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