My first time visiting Puerto Rico, and first time flying with an intimate partner in a minute
Monday, March 3
REDACTED and I met at IAH, and spent some time enjoying amenities prior to boarding UA1192
Leading up to the trip, I’d sent along details of the inflight menu
I ordered drink after drink. The flight attendant asked what the occasion was
We took a taxi over to car rental location, picked up the rental car, a Kia Soul, and took off for Lajas, chasing the setting sun
We checked in at
We checked out the hotel restaurant, but they were out of the dish REDACTED was interested in
Dined at IC, ordered a platter. REDACTED enjoyed interacting with the couple cats that hung around
Tuesday, March 4
Breakfast at hotel restaurant. Ordered omelette and French toast
Drove to Playita Rosada, but found the vehicle entrance closed off
Began turning back, but decided to take a closer look, at which point we found the pedestrian gate was open
Took some photos, and hung around until some cyclists came riding through
Returned to the room for a bit
We had late lunch at Puerto Parguera, where I tried mofongo for the first time
Just shy of 6PM, we boarded the vessel that took us to the Bahía Fosforescénte (Bioluminescent Bay)
Captain told us Puerto Rico was home to three of five year-round bioluminescent bays: Jamaica and The Maldives are host to the other two
There was something magical about that experience. I didn’t bother trying to capture it with my phone camera
8:36PM back to hotel restaurant for the two welcome drinks: piña colada & mojito
Wednesday, March 5
8:46AM breakfast at the hotel restaurant: omelette and club sandwich
Drove to Rincón, and arrived early for check in
Checked out the pool and beach while waiting for our room
Late lunch at Rincón Boricua: empanadilla alcapurria, queso frito, mofongo relleno de pescado, creme brûlée coco
Couple drinks at the hotel bar: sunset, the ice cream one
Took a short walk on beach
Watched the sunset together from the balcony
Back to hotel bar: coconut mojito, kokotazo
REDACTED was lit
Burger King: fries cut like those at McD stateside
Thursday, March 6
I woke before sunrise, and grabbed a couple coffee pods from the front desk
King Mallorca at BK
Rincon Bakery for Mallorca sandwich
Lighthouse, where I rolled a sequence of the waves crashing against the cliff
Ricomini Bakery. Tempted, but no more Mallorca sandwich
Lunch at Rincon Boricua: lunch special arroz; mofongo, caldo y masitas de mero
We drove to San Juan, stopping at Hatillo Sam’s Club, where I picked up a box of sangria
Checked in at La Concha
Checked out the pool
Walked on the beach
Went to the casino, where I lost a hand of blackjack
REDACTED bought me some hemp cigarettes
Went to a sushi spot
Friday, March 7
Pinky’s Condado: Pinky’s breakfast sandwich
Playita del Condado for snorkeling. Got a bit turned around trying to find the spot. Decided to take a little puff from one of the guys. Should have put in my contacts. Had my flippers reversed, and struggled a while. As promised, saw manatee. Hovered above it
La Cueva Del Mar Calle Loíza: croquetas jamón, arroz con mariscos “La Cueva,” ostras gratinadas
REDACTED got sunburned
Saturday, March 8
Walked over to Pinky’s Calle Loíza: Mallorca sandwich
Castillo San Felipe del Morro. Took a long time to reach nearby parking: some road closures meant traffic through old San Juan was even slower than it would have been otherwise. We discovered some event taking place
Café El Punto: ceviche de pescado, tostones relleno de mar y tierra with ensalada Chilena y amarillos, and a piña colada
REDACTED picked up some souvenirs for her mamí
Furtivo Speakeasy: Revelation de Sofia, Lavender Honey Sidecar, Tenerife. Ham croquette wasn’t available. We got the one with cheese instead
Back to the hotel
Hotel restaurant: Serrano Ham Croquettes, Al Dente Pasta in Alfredo sauce with grilled chicken
Sunday, March 9
Up early
Returned car to Nü Car after filling up
Accessed the lounge in Terminal C
The lounge in Terminal A wasn’t open
Waited at the gate with REDACTED until it was her time to board
Returned to the lounge
Boarded UA668, took a photo 7:34:29PM
Chatted with the young man sitting next to me on the flight, @kaihing1
Backdated to UA668 SJU-IAH’s STD
