We left Puerto Rico yesterday after three days of fun in San Juan. I signed up for a lot of SAS run trips because it was our first port and I wanted to meet new people. The first one was the city orientation which was basically a tour of San Juan with stops at the Capital Building, a fort used during the Spanish-American war and a beautiful little beach. It was fun to get acquainted with the city and explore the old fort. Also on the first day I went to a Bioluminescent bay where a certain type of plankton glows in the water if you touch it. This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and quite the adventure to see since we had to kayak through a long canal in the late at night.
On the second day I went horseback riding on the edge of the El Yunque rainforest. This was probably the most unsafe horseback riding experience one could ever have... They all wanted to push to the front of the line. We saw iguanas, and a huge nest of termites as well as plenty of interesting tropical rainforest fauna. That was the last of my SAS run trips so the rest of the time I was there I played it by ear and hung out with friends. We explored the city a lot and went night swimming at a beach that was set next to the cities skyline and was absolutely beautiful.
The last day in San Juan was lazy; we explored the old town, did some post-card shopping and went to the beach for a long time. The beach was nice and warm and had a rock barrier so the waves and undercurrent weren’t too strong. A few of us swam out near some rocks and then noticed that we were floating above hundreds of sea urchins, and little fish. It was pretty neat but we were all scared to be so far out and near strange ocean creatures, so we swam back. Later that day I met a girl who went to the same beach and actually did step on a sea urchin. Her foot apparently swelled up really badly and a bunch of SAS kids carried her back to the ship.
San Juan was spectacular and the general feeling on the ship was that it turned out being a lot more interesting than any of us had expected. I’m not sure I will ever go back but I definitely recommend it as a good place to visit if you ever have the opportunity.
Since leaving we have been sailing towards Brazil at a brisk speed of 21 knots (we are the fastest cruise ship in the world). The water has been very calm and many rumors are circulating as to why this is. Some say that its because we are going faster than before, others think it is the ships stabilizers finally being put to use, while others claim that it is because we are in a calmer part of the Caribbean Sea. The rumor mill on the MV Explorer is rampant. Apparently no one knows for sure but, whatever it is, I think we all like it.
We have two more days of classes, a day off when we cross the equator and have a huge celebration, then a few more days of classes, then we make port in Salvador, Brazil! I probably wont send out another mass e-mail till after Brazil when I have more to say. But I would love to hear from everyone on a more personal level! Send me e-mails, I miss everyone back home so much! I hope all of you are well!
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