Showing posts with label Hotel El Convento. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hotel El Convento. Show all posts

3.19.2016

CHRISTMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN

Traveling in early December during our most recent cruise meant it was the first time we had traveled during the Christmas holidays. It gave us the opportunity to glimpse at other countries' Christmas decorations; these decorations would be mixed among palm trees and the warm temperatures of the Caribbean.

Pre-cruise we stayed in Old San Juan for two days. Old San Juan is one of my favorites cities: its cobblestone streets and architecture remind me of Europe except with the Caribbean colors' twist.

Our hotel, El Convento, was beautiful decorated: Pots of poinsettia plants everywhere...



and a beautiful Christmas tree to greet guests...









































Red and gold balls and foliage decorated two huge wreaths on the entrance gates of the governor's mansion in Old San Juan...

















while golden-color burlap ribboned the trees lining the calle leading to the mansion...



























Our cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas, had decorative garland lining all of the decks...


and a beautifully white-light tree standing in the atrium...
























Red-ribboned wreaths greeted us on our arrival to the island of St. John...
Red-bowed trees surrounded the fountain in the middle of Independence Square in Basseterre, St. Kitts...


Christmas trees and a snowman greeted us in the Aruba cruise terminal

With one particular ornament we made sure we knew where we were...
























Our first visit to Curaçao did not disappoint. From the woven twig reindeer and trees decorating the shopping area next to the Renaissance Hotel and Casino...

to the holiday decorations interspersed in Queen Wilhelmina Park...




























Curaçao was beautiful.
Actually, as you can see, these decorations weren't different from anything one would see in a front yard in the U.S. However, isn't to experience different countries, islands and cultures anytime of the year is the reason one travels?

Thank you for visiting.

A Great Europe Trip Planner


All photos were taken by me in December, 2015. Unauthorized use is prohibited.




1.25.2015

COLORFUL OLD SAN JUAN

As we sailed into the port of San Juan, we passed the dramatic Castillo San Felipe El Morro...my shore excursion which was a walking tour of Old San Juan included a tour of the fortress.






















But first, let me show you my captures of the beautiful, colorful buildings and architecture of Old San Juan.






















The beautiful courtyard of the Museo de las Americas...



















Every building is a different color...



















The Hotel El Convento is the yellow building to the right...

Beautiful architectural detailing along with the color...























 




More and more colorful buildings...
Beautiful tiles decorate the side of buildings and tell you the name of streets...
























 





Detailed ironwork embellishes the buildings...

Every street has so many colorful buildings...
























Even this small, narrow, colorful house has character...




























Look at the building decorated with Mudéjar tiles based on the Spanish influence...

I just can't get enough of Old San Juan! Fortunately, we'll be back in three months for our cruise departure in April, 2016.

























 






Thank you for visiting,

A Great Europe Trip Planner 

All photos were taken by me during my Caribbean cruise in May, 2014.