Random San Juan 1

If I read the history right, Columbus landed on the big island in November 1493  (second voyage) and called the island San Juan Bautista.   Less than two decades later (1509), a settlement happened here and the called Puerto Rico.  Somehow, in the intervening years, the island name and this port name got reversed.  Anyone know when that happened?

Anyhow, this breezy ridge . . . topped by NPS-run El Morro is stunning.  Approaching the entrance to the harbor formerly known as “Rich port” is a frequently vessel in NYC

Conrad S.  Note her port history in that link.

Hardly hidden away between two cruise ships is a Crowley barge.   Dark hull on the right is Disney Fantasy.

1812 . . .  means one historical narrative up in New York, but

in San Juan . . . it has other associations, which have brought Galeon la Pepa to port.

Carnival Glory was getting some

port maintenance.

Nord Setouchi was at the dock as was

Caribbean Fantasy.

For today, one more short-haul container carrier with a fantastic name, Sky Seal.

All fotos by Will Van Dorp.

Cruiser Excitement

From John Watson:  When I saw Explorer of the Seas (EOS) leave the dock, I turned on the NY Harbor webcam to be able to watch it leave port after it exited my window view.  Carnival Glory had not yet left, so I kept the webcam  feed up.  Thirty minutes later I checked on Glory’s progress only to find EOS  on her way back in.  No cruise is THAT short , I thought, so I turned on the marine radio.  The pilot said, “…there were waiting on the pier.”  Late passengers getting VIP treatment?  It turned out to be medics for a sick passenger.  EOS went nose in instead of stern first, as it usually does. 

Meanwhile Carnival Glory was outbound.  Waiting for Glory south of the Statue was Firefighter II  spraying water . . . I heard …

…for a couple on Glory. The couple must be special in order to get a water display.

Thanks, John.  My addition . . . passengers on Explorer of the Seas got a special treat:  three times exploring the underside of the Verrazano Bridge on one leg bound for sea.  Also, in the first foto, notice  Meagan Ann pushing a scow?  Time elapse from the first to the fourth foto was less than an hour.