Puerto Rico: Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment)

I cannot believe that an entire week has passed since we arrived in Puerto Rico.  At the same time, I have no idea how we fit our entire agenda of outings and day trips into seven days.  The first couple days we explored our local small town of Rio Piedras and the campus of the University of Puerto Rico.  We also began our classes on Thursday and Friday of last week.  However, the weekend was completely academic-free as we visited Old San Juan and El Yunque Rainforest.  Our first stop was a historic fort called “El Morro” which means “the hill” in Spanish. 
IMG_1797.jpgThe construction of the fort started in 1539 and was authorized by King Charles V of Spain to protect Puerto Rico from any competing nations.  The island was very strategically placed due to being at the entryway to the Caribbean.  Although the fort was attacked multiple times by British ships, Spain miraculously maintained control of the island for hundreds of years until eventually selling it to the United States.
IMG_1809.jpgIMG_1832.jpg After the fort, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.  We have already noticed that in Puerto Rico, you must be prepared to have rice and beans as a side dish!  We then walked around Old San Juan and saw local houses, the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista (where the remains of Juan Ponce de Leon are buried), and the Capital Building.
IMG_1848.jpgIMG_1857.jpgThe Ben and Jerry’s of Old San Juan. =)
IMG_1945.jpgI have so many more pictures on my facebook page of Old San Juan and the fort.  If you would like to see them, add me as a friend “Kathryn Elizabeth Clark” and include in the message something about the geoblog. 

On Sunday, we went to El Yunque Rainforest, and we definitely experienced some rain!  We took a two hour hike to the top of the main mountain and then explored an area with a large waterfall.  We were actually able to swim at the bottom, which was such a neat experience!  Pictured below is our group at the Waterfall at El Yunque.  There will be much more information to come as I have the time!
   Waterfall.jpg


Location: Viejo San Juan, Puerto RIco

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One thought on “Puerto Rico: Isla del Encanto (Island of Enchantment)

  1. KELSEY MARGARET ROGALEWICZ

    Puerto Rico looks beautiful! I’m studying in (and loving) Mexico, and I think it’s great that PSU offers so many great study abroad opportunities to Spanish-speaking countries other than Spain! We’ve been here about a week, as well! Time is flying! Hope you continue to enjoy your stay! 🙂

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