Puerto Rico Trip Day 1: One of the longest days ever (4/29-30/11)

My flight leaves on 4/29 at 1159pm. Before heading to the airport, I celebrate a friend's surprise bday, and then get to my flight, which is packed. Sleep as much as I can before the plane lands around 515am in San Juan. Find the taxis and I tell the lady where I am going so she says 13 dollars. She then takes me to some random hotel and I try to explain to her that I am going to a hostel, not a hotel, and not this one. I get my phone out and show here where I am going on a map and she tells me that will be 20 as its farther than expected (surprise surprise). I have her take me to an ATM on the way to the hostel. Once there, I am trying to help another traveler make their way to El Yunque and meet Ashley who lends a hand helping this traveler out. We then go get some breakfast from a cheap nearby place and get some egg revolitos and bread with some OJ. After that, we make plans to go explore old SJ and meet up one of her friends, Naomi, later before heading out. Jump on the M3 bus (0.5$ pp) into OSJ and walk around. We eventually try and get a beer but get turned away as it is still too early (stupid early flights). So we walk to El Morro (fort on the coast) and explore that region. On the walk up to the fort, there is a giant open field where there are swarms of people flying kites (plenty of wind coming off the water and no trees to break it). We then notice there are a group of reenactors getting ready for a “battle” later in the day. After exploring the fort, we head back to the Old Harbor brewery for lunch where I had a sampler and a pint of their stout as I liked it the best.

Pigeons in a cubby hole. Those are old holes in the wall (I assume from wooden beams) where pigeons take up residence and look down on their compatriots on the ground.

Map of old town SJ. Where shall we go?

Start of the path that goes around the base of el morro. Nice little strolls can be had here.

Giant green space with nothing to block wind? People were everywhere flying kites as would be expected. Oh yeah, theres a giant fort in the distance!

Kite Graveyard. Not sure how with all that green space you get your kite stuck in a tree, but these people are to be commended for their ability to defy the odds.

Oh crap we stumbled upon a war! Small army to besiege a fort but maybe with current technology it doesnt take much.  

Ash and I found some actors to take a pic with us in their historical outfits. Good looking group there. Though not sure why the guy brought a sword to a gun fight. 

Finally getting into the fort. Lets go explore. 

One of the look out points of the fort. 

Some sampler action at the Old Harbor brewery with tiny mugs.

We then head to the Bacardi factory; take the ferry across the bay (0.5$pp) and then grab a bus (3$) to Bacardi. Get to do a tour and then get 2 free drinks after sign up. Tour wasn't anything special, but has some good info on it and it is something different to do. After finishing our drinks, we get the ferry back and stop at a bar in OSJ to grab some beers (tried Medalla – just like any other light lager surprise surprise) on our way back to the hostel. Take bus back to hostel and get cleaned up before heading back to OSJ with Ash, N, Jim (German fellow), and 2 other girls who didnt hang around long. We do a pub crawl and wind up in La Concha (a hotel) which is a bad idea as drinks are expensive. After A beer, we head back towards hostel and stop at Dennys before heading to bed (~130am or so).

Ahhh the Bacardi Factory. First we went into an outdoor bar where we could have a few drinks, then we took a tour of the grounds.

Nice entryway to the tour building. They have bats on everything!

Screw a keg stand! Ill do a barrel pull. (not really)

Before entering Senor Frogs. Mr. Frog and I give this place 2 thumbs up.