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| Una noche en Puerto Rico. Besitos. ~Lady of Leisure |
As some of you know I have taken to being a "lady of leisure" since returning from Zambia. And wow what a much needed break it has been! As a Lady of Leisure I "invited myself" on a five day vacation to Puerto Rico. Valió la pena (it was worth it!)! Puerto Rico has been a dream destination for me since I fell in love with salseros such as Frankie Ruiz, La India, Frankie Negron, Hector Lavoe and of course, Marc Antony! And mofongo. I needed to dance sweat in the streets of Puerto Rico and eat mofongo. Finally, 22 years later I made it to the island! ... mainly because when my friend Aisha told me she was going with fellow educators I gave her doe eyes and invited myself on their vacation. A true friend (CAU!) she allowed me to me join in on the fun!
I knew we had limited time on the island and there is SO much to do! I put together a dream list of activities:
- A day in El Yunque
- Tour of Bacardi
- Tour of Old San Juan
- Bio-luminescent Bay
- Dancing in a hot, sweaty club
- Spa time on the resort
The key to group vacations? Be flexible! I did not complete all of the bullets on my dream list but I did do new things on this vacation and honestly, I am grateful for those new experiences. Keep reading to see why!
What did I do?
Tour of Casa Bacardi. I made it to Bacardi! I am a rum girl! It is my poison of choice so this was a MUST DO tour! At the beginning of the tour we were welcomed with a choice of an adult beverage made with Bacardi. The tour was informative and interesting but the best part, of course, was the rum tasting! We tasted five Bacardi varieties: Bacardi Superior, Bacardi 8 year, Bacardi Limitada, Bacardi Legacy and Bacardi Reserve. The last two are only available in Puerto Rico at the distillery. Bicardi Limitada, a very high end rum, is available in the US for $100-$125. I came to Puerto Rico knowing I would be going home with 2-3 bottles of rum. One of those bottles should be one I could ONLY find in Puerto Rico. Mission accomplished! I would definitely recommend this tour!
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| Welcome to Casa Bacardi |
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| These two are ONLY available at Casa Bacardi. Cost: $160. |
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| Cuba libre! |
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| Un sueno.... |
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| Glory ... Rum Glory |
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| BEFORE the tasting |
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| AFTER the tasting haha |
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As I said, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! This bottle was $160. I
filled the bottle, corked it, dipped it in wax and sealed it with the
iconic Bacardi bat! I plan to open this bottle when I am 40 OR
when I am engaged. Whatever come first! |
Walking Food Tour in Old San Juan. Food, Old San Juan. Perfect weather. Perfection! I absolutely recommend this tour! At $90 it is a bit expensive but again ... vale la pena! Not only do you have 4 glorious hours touring Old San Juan, hearing of its rich history but as you re-trace history walking on the old cobblestones, your group will make four stops to enjoy amazing local delicacies of Puerto Rico! After the food tour, stay in town, keep walking! We ended the day with souvenir shopping, margaritas and enjoying the sunset.
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| The only all open air restaurant in Old San Juan |
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The Rum Bar @ Princesa has rum that can substitute for ANY
alcohol! ANY ALCOHOL! That includes gin, tequila, brandy,
whiskey etc. Try it! I am a believer! |
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| Did you know the piña colada was created in Puerto Rico? |
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| La Casa Estrecha |
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| ...5 feet wide, goes back 36 feet and 2 stories! |
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| Stop #2 is a restaurant and sells art made by local artists! |
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| Alcapurrias de carne. Oh yes! |
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| Cerviche |
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| Un vejigante |
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| This restaurant used to be a jail cell! (Stop #3) |
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On the tour we made our own mofongo de pollo! Yes Yes Yes!
My favorite part of the tour! |
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| Hecho en Casa. Stop #4. |
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THE BEST FLAN I HAVE HAD IN LIFE! Hablando en
serio! You MUST visit Hecho en Casa if ever in Old San Juan. |
Sail, Snorkel and Beach! OK now if you KNOW me. Truly know ME ... you KNOW this is not something I would normally do. Like ever! But this is where it is important to be open, flexible when touring with a group. So what was I to do but put on my cute swim romper, sunblock, lipgloss and be open to the experience! So you have a deeper understanding, a couple of confessions: I hate the beach... Better said, I hate sand. Even better said, I hate sand in crevices. Secondly, I haven't owned, been seen in or shopped for a bathing suit as an adult. More accurately since under the age of 10. But this year I've decided to love and live my BEST life! I am so glad I had this experience! It honestly was the best day of the vacation!
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| Lady of Leisure |
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| Naw ... I need to feel the earth under my feet ... |
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| Sand under my feet, rum punch in hand. |
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| Waves |
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| Find the swim romper at Lane Bryant. |
Enjoy your time away! This year is "The Great 38" so when I booked my trip to Puerto Rico I decided to do every single thing I said I'd never do. For so many years I refused to wear a swimsuit. Not only am I not someone who needs to be IN or even NEAR the water but I was hard on myself and things that I saw as a flaw (e.g. cellulite on my thighs). But as I said, THIS YEAR is MY YEAR. And that means the world was meant to be introduced to The Cellulite Celebrity! F*ck it. I do not know these people and will more than likely not see them again. What they see today is not what they would have seen 4 years ago. Four years ago I was 67lbs heavier with an additional 23 inches. I am proud of what I have achieved and dammit how best to celebrate that with a two piece that shall be adorned in Puerto Rico!? haha
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| This two piece can be procured at Swimsuits for All. |
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| I am in a pool! |
"What has 2017 done with the Phoebe I know?!?!" It has handed me glitter and dammit I plan on shinin'!
Clearly I did not do everything I wanted to do on my dream list but clearly it will not be the last time I am on the island! I will absolutely return to Puerto Rico! Who is going next? Can I just invite myself now?? 😉
TIP: Stay in San Juan or Old San Juan! Taxis are expensive and you will save a lot of money by staying close to the city.
If you want to do any of the tours I have mentioned on this entry, please book in advance at https://www.viator.com/. Professional, reasonably priced and memories were created!
Finally, you should just start following me on snapchat (pmkenney79)! Besides, tomorrow I am off to Cape Town. You know you want to be part of the fun! Besitos! XO
