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I’m going to have to stop and catch you all up when wifi is better. It’s been fabulous until San Juan. They need to pay their cell bill I guess!

I had an independent tour booked today that covered old and new San Juan. It was ok - we sat on a bus for 90% of it, with a few 15-20 minute photo stops. Most people didn’t even get off. I did enjoy learning about the history and it was great to see the new part of the city (town?) but for the old part it would have been better just to walk it. Next time!

When I grow up I’m gonna move to San Juan. What a unique, interesting, beautiful place!

Wifi is crappy in San Juan!

Approaching San Juan.

The struggle is real

So odd. I don’t recall ever seeing that before!

Random question…in all my cruises, I don’t ever recall seeing flies while on the ship. Last night there was one in my room annoying the crap out of me. This morning there were several flying around in the Wake. Is it just the area we are sailing or are we about to get overrun with killer flies or something?

What’s on

French Crueller Clam Chowder Steak and Eggs Pana Cotta

I wasn’t able to reserve a spot for breakfast today but rolled up at The Wake at 8am and they seated me right away. It was pretty empty for the first half hour or so when they opened. By the time I was done, the whole place was full. Again, I had heard some grumbling that the food wasn’t as good but everything I had was excellent!

After the Ship Show I went to scope out Dual Reality. There haven’t been spots available to book since we got it n the ship and I’ve been checking constantly. Tonight, half hour before the show, it opened up and showed available so that snapped it up! The show was every bit as good as I remember! Again, the raw talent on VV is amazing! The strength, stamina, and skill of those dancers and acrobats blow me away! After the show I decided to grab a pizza and call it a night. Chicken Pesto for the win!

It’s a Ship Show. I had heard lots of joy so great things about the food but, personally, I thought it was pretty good! The show was fun - I’m always blown away by the talent that VV finds. What annoyed me about tonight was the way they seated people. We got in line around 6:40. We weren’t front of the line but certainly weren’t at the back. When they showed us to the table, they put us all the way at the even though there were empty tables in front of us. People behind us in line that came in after were seated in front of us. 😖

Deep Blue Extras sailaway party tonight. No pics but know there was lots of free flowing alcohol. Followed by the other group sailaway party. Followed by dinner and It’s a Ship Show

Heading back to the ship! I highly recommend Iguana Mama if anyone is looking for an excursion in Puerto Plata!

Cigar making, dancing, and the fort! Though I realize I didn’t get any pictures of cigars or dancing. By this point I had finished one of the bottles of Mama Juana!

Next was a stop at the pink street and the umbrella street

Next stop was lunch where we had a traditional DR rice, beans, and chicken. It was delicious and it was so sweet chatting to the “waiters” - one of whom was the same age as my son. It really made me realize just how privileged we are! One of our group told the poor kid that the beans tasted like dirt. He was so offended. Who does that?

My favourite was the Mama Juana otherwise known as the Dominican ***** or the baby maker. I fully expected an extortionate price in the gift shop but nope. Literally $10 for a litre bottle. I knew I couldn’t carry that back to Canada so opted for 3 small bottles for $4 each! It was almost free! Let me tell you, no way could we buy ANY alcohol in Vancouver for that price!

Back to the bus and several rum and cokes later we headed to the rum factory. After a brief video about the history of rum making we were invited to taste 8 different rums. You could have a taste or request a double or triple. The rest is history as they say.,,

First stop was the cable cars!