The place that makes Mexico City seem new

Remember the "ditty"? 'In 1492, Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue'? Well, guess where he sailed?

San Juan Bautista - 1520

Ok, it was the Dominican Republic (known as Hispaniola by Chris and the boys), but THEN he went to Puerto Rico. Which is why the SECOND oldest church in the Western hemisphere is in San Juan (the Catedral de San Juan - built in 1520).  Think about that, 1520!

And the old just keeps on coming.

The Spanish quickly realized the strategic importance of Puerto Rico. It was a base to fight the "New World Wars" with the French and English in the Western Hemisphere.

It was so important that they fortified the entire harbor with enormous thick walled forts and a giant wall surrounding what is now known as "Old San Juan".

A colonial town sprung up inside, and it is now a world heritage site (for good reason).

Overlooking the bay from a guard tower in the city wall

The first fort - a man can stand upright in the small portals near the top

Once fearsome to enemy ships

Clear turquoise Caribbean waters below the City Wall

Beautiful cemetery inside the fort

The Colonial Jail

Cobblestone Streets

Finally, there were some modern things I thought were worth sharing:

Cool statue over a fountain

The 'old' cigar factory

Sunning on the City Wall

And did I mention the colorful end to the days here?