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Tezels on the Road

Category: UNESCO World Heritage

  • Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 – Day 10

    Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 – Day 10

    San Juan, Puerto Rico: History, Mofongo, and a Relaxed Farewell

    Our Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 officially came to an end this morning as we woke up once again in San Juan, Puerto Rico. While the cruise itself was over, our Caribbean adventure wasn’t quite finished yet.

    After saying goodbye to the wonderful crew aboard the Grand Princess, we disembarked and headed to the airport to pick up a rental car. From there, we drove to the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, where we dropped off our luggage and prepared to spend our final night in paradise.

    Exploring Old San Juan

    With the logistics out of the way, we made our way into Old San Juan, one of the most atmospheric and historic cities in the Caribbean. After parking, we spent the morning wandering the narrow, colorful streets of the old city, popping into shops and soaking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant port.

    Uphill cobblestone street in Old San Juan lined with pastel colonial buildings, balconies, and parked cars under a blue sky

    Hunger eventually led us to Los Yeyo’s, a restaurant proudly known as “The House of Mofongo.” That alone made it an easy decision.

    We shared a crab mofongo along with a side of sweet plantains, and it did not disappoint. The mofongo arrived on a sizzling skillet, filling the air with an irresistible aroma. For those unfamiliar, mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made from fried plantains mashed with garlic and other ingredients. Los Yeyo’s crab mofongo was absolutely outstanding and easily one of our favorite meals of the trip.

    Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro)

    After lunch, we continued exploring Old San Juan until we reached Castillo San Felipe del Morro, part of San Juan National Historic Site. Perched high on a promontory overlooking the entrance to San Juan Bay, El Morro is one of the most impressive fortifications in the Caribbean.

    Constructed over more than 250 years by Spanish engineers, El Morro reflects Spain’s determination to protect San Juan as a critical hub in the trans‑Atlantic trade routes. Walking along its massive walls and gazing out from its strategic vantage point, it’s easy to understand why such effort and resources were invested here. The fortress feels immense—an imposing, nearly impenetrable stronghold guarding the city.

    San Juan’s Defensive Network & Castillo San Cristóbal

    El Morro was only one element of San Juan’s elaborate defensive system. San Juan National Historic Site also preserves large sections of the original city walls, which completely encircled the city by 1783, as well as Fort San Juan de la Cruz (El Cañuelo) on the opposite side of the harbor.

    Our next stop was Castillo San Cristóbal, the largest fortification built by Spain in the New World. Unlike El Morro, San Cristóbal was designed primarily to defend the city from land-based attacks. Its sheer scale and layered defenses are just as impressive, showcasing remarkable military engineering and ingenuity.

    Together, these fortifications tell stories of ambition, empire, and conflict. For centuries, nations fought for control of this small but strategically vital island. Generations of soldiers lived and worked within these walls, and today visitors are inspired not only by the history, but also by the beauty and brilliance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    A Relaxed Caribbean Evening

    After spending the afternoon immersed in over 500 years of history, we returned to the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort. Our room wasn’t quite ready, but that was hardly a problem. We found seats by the beach, ordered some sangria, and simply relaxed—reflecting on an unforgettable week in the Caribbean.

    Tomorrow brings a calm, easy morning before our late‑afternoon flight home to San Antonio. There’s no sign of winter weather here in San Juan, so we’re hoping that the weather on the mainland doesn’t affect our trip home.

  • Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 – Day 7: Waterfalls, Volcanoes, and Champagne Reef in Dominica

    Southern Caribbean Cruise 2026 – Day 7: Waterfalls, Volcanoes, and Champagne Reef in Dominica

    ⚓ Port of Call: Roseau, Dominica

    Today we arrived in Roseau, Dominica, an island that is dramatically mountainous, incredibly green, and very wet. Dominica is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, still actively shaped by geothermal and volcanic activity—something we experienced firsthand.

    Heavy rain greeted us upon arrival, introducing us immediately to just how damp this island can be. Even the “dry” coastal areas receive about 75 inches of rain annually, while parts of the mountainous interior can see as much as 390 inches per year.

    🚐 Into the Mountains of the “Nature Island”

    We joined the Trafalgar Falls & Champagne Reef Snorkel Tour with Venture Ashore. Leaving the pier—where Grand Princess was docked—we drove through the relatively “flat” (a very relative term here) capital city of Roseau, before heading up into the mountains toward Morne Trois Pitons National Park.

    Dominicans take great pride in protecting their natural surroundings and proudly refer to their home as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site makes it easy to understand why. Deep canyons slice through rugged volcanic mountains as the road winds through dense tropical rainforest, offering views of the geological forces that continue to shape the island.

    We were especially thankful for our skilled driver, who navigated the steep, narrow, and winding mountain roads with ease.

    🌊 Trafalgar Falls: Papa and Mama

    Our first stop was the iconic Trafalgar Falls. A short—but always wet—10‑minute walk through the forest led us to a viewing platform overlooking the twin waterfalls: the taller “Papa” Falls and its shorter companion, “Mama” Falls.

    • Papa Falls originates from a mountain lake high above

    • Mama Falls flows from the “Breakfast River”

    Just below the falls, the two tributaries merge and continue on through Ti‑Tou Gorge as the Roseau River.

    Prior to a landslide in 1995, hot springs and pools existed at the base of Papa Falls. Geothermal activity still warms the water here, making it noticeably cooler at Papa Falls compared to Mama Falls—a fascinating reminder of Dominica’s volcanic core.

    Locals refer to the trail as a “stroll,” though that may be a bit misleading. While not overly difficult, the path is rocky, steep in places, and perpetually wet, so sturdy footwear is highly recommended.

    🌋 Sulphur Springs and Volcanic Features

    Back aboard the bus, we continued deeper into Morne Trois Pitons National Park, stopping briefly at a fumarole (sulphur spring) just off the roadside.

    Here, sulphur gas bubbles up through pools of water and mud, releasing the unmistakable scent of volcanic activity. Locals claim the mineral‑rich mud and water have healing properties—but that remains happily unverified science.

    🤿 Snorkeling Champagne Reef

    Our final stop was Champagne Reef, where we geared up for a unique snorkeling experience. The reef gets its name from volcanic gases that escape through the seafloor, creating streams of bubbles that rise through the water like champagne.

    From the rocky shore, our snorkel guide led us along the coast, where we spotted coral formations and tropical fish below. Soon we reached the bubbling vents, swimming among warm currents of escaping gas.

    At one point, our guide captured some of the bubbling water in his hands and brought it to the surface so we could feel just how much warmer it was. According to local legend, simply running your hands through the water can shave ten years off your age—we’ll report back on that claim.

    🌙 Evening Aboard Grand Princess

    That evening, Grand Princess sailed away from Dominica. After dinner, we attended the Captain’s Circle Reception, where we learned that Captain John Foster, spending his final night aboard for this contract, is not only an experienced ship’s captain but also quite the comedian.

    We caught part of the production show in the Princess Theater before retiring to our cabin, watching the lights of Martinique glow in the distance.

    🌴 Up Next: Our Final Port – Barbados

    Tomorrow marks our last port of call as we arrive in Bridgetown, Barbados, wrapping up our Southern Caribbean port visits.

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