San Juan, Puerto Rico March 3 to 19, 2023波多黎各首府圣胡安 2023 年 3 月 3 日至 19 日

On a day of early March, when we walked out the airport of San Juan, warm and vibrant air immediately embraced us, and we felt this is a welcoming city, so different from all other cities in the continental of USA.

San Juan is a American city because it is city of an unincorporated territory of the United States, but more like a Caribbean city because its culture (its music, food, and festivals) and population originated from Hispanic heritage. With a population of around 2.2 million people, San Juan is founded in 1521 by Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León, the most populous city in Puerto Rico, and the second oldest city established by European colonists in the Americas.

We stayed in the CBD, very close to the Old San Juan, or Old Town. Old town is the historic district of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The neighborhood is located on a small island connected to the mainland by three bridges, and it is the oldest settlement within the territory of Puerto Rico. Old San Juan is famous for its colorful colonial-era buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and charming plazas, which have been preserved for over 500 years.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Old San Juan is the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, a 16th-century fortress that sits at the entrance to San Juan Bay. The fort, along with the nearby Castillo San Cristobal, was built by the Spanish to protect the city from foreign invaders and is now a popular tourist attraction.

The neighborhood also features numerous museums, including the Museum of the Americas, which showcases the art and culture of the indigenous peoples of the Americas, and the Puerto Rico Museum of Art, which houses a vast collection of Puerto Rican and Latin American art.

Old San Juan is also known for its vibrant culinary scene, with numerous restaurants serving up traditional Puerto Rican dishes such as mofongo, arroz con gandules, and lechon. The neighborhood is also home to numerous bars and nightclubs, making it a popular destination for nightlife in San Juan.

Overall, Old San Juan is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Puerto Rican culture and history. The neighborhood’s vibrant atmosphere, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage make it a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

3月初的一天，我们走出圣胡安机场，温暖而充满活力的空气立刻扑面而来，马上感觉到这是一座好客的城市，与美国大陆其他城市截然不同。

圣胡安说是一座美国城市，因为它是美国未建制领土的城市，但它更像是一座加勒比城市，因为它的文化（音乐、美食和节日）和人口皆起源于原西班牙属地。 圣胡安是由西班牙征服者胡安·庞塞·德莱昂 (Juan Ponce de León) 于 1521 年创立，人口约 220 万，是波多黎各人口最多的城市，也是欧洲殖民者在美洲建立的第二古老的城市。

我们住在中央商务区，非常靠近旧圣胡安或旧城区。 老城区是波多黎各圣胡安的历史街区。 该社区位于一个通过三座桥与大陆相连的小岛上，是波多黎各境内最古老的定居点。 旧圣胡安以其色彩缤纷的殖民时代建筑、狭窄的鹅卵石街道和迷人的广场而闻名，这些建筑已保存了 500 多年。

圣胡安老城最具标志性的地标之一是圣费利佩德尔莫罗城堡，这是一座 16 世纪的堡垒，位于圣胡安湾的入口处。 这座堡垒与附近的圣克里斯托瓦尔城堡 (Castillo San Cristobal) 一起，由西班牙人建造，以保护城市免受外国入侵者的侵害，现在是一个受欢迎的旅游景点。

该街区还设有众多博物馆，包括展示美洲土著人民的艺术和文化的美洲博物馆，以及收藏了大量波多黎各和拉丁美洲艺术品的波多黎各艺术博物馆。

旧圣胡安还以其充满活力的美食场景而闻名，众多餐厅供应传统的波多黎各菜肴，如 mofongo、arroz con gandules 和 lechon。 该街区还拥有众多酒吧和夜总会，使其成为圣胡安夜生活的热门目的地。

总的来说，对于任何对波多黎各文化和历史感兴趣的人来说，老圣胡安都是必游之地。 该街区充满活力的氛围、令人惊叹的建筑和丰富的文化遗产使其成为真正独特而难忘的体验。

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, also known as El Morro, is a 16th-century fortress built by the Spanish, it was designed with walls, bastions, and towers to protect against attacks by European powers, including the British and Dutch, who were known for their piracy and privateering activities in the Caribbean The fortress has been modified over the years and was damaged during the Spanish-American War. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction known for its stunning views and daily cannon firing tradition.

Connected to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal is another historic fortress located in other end of Old San Juan. Also built by the Spanish between 1765 and 1783, and named after King Charles III of Spain, the fortress was designed to complement the Castillo San Felipe del Morro, forming a defensive system for the entrance to San Juan Bay.

Castillo San Cristóbal is one of the largest forts built by the Spanish in the Americas, covering 27 acres of land. It features a complex network of tunnels, ramps, and walls, including the iconic Garita del Diablo (Devil’s Sentry Box) watchtower, which offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. The fort’s strategic location and impressive architecture have made it a popular tourist attraction, with visitors coming from all over the world to explore its many rooms, dungeons, and battlements.

In addition to its military history, Castillo San Cristóbal has also played a significant role in Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage. During the 20th century, it was used as a prison for political dissidents, and today it serves as a symbol of Puerto Rican resilience and resistance. The fort is a designated National Historic Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

圣费利佩德尔莫罗城堡，也被称为 El Morro，是由西班牙人建造的一座 16 世纪的堡垒。它的设计包括城墙、堡垒和塔楼，以抵御在加勒比地区的海盗和私掠活动的欧洲列强，其中包括英国和荷兰。城堡在美西战争中遭到破坏。 它现在是联合国教科文组织世界遗产， 因其壮丽的景色和每日大炮射击传统项目， 是一个极受欢迎的旅游景点。

圣克里斯托瓦尔堡与圣费利佩德尔莫罗城堡相连，是位于旧圣胡安另一端的另一座历史悠久的堡垒。 这座堡垒也是由西班牙人于 1765 年至 1783 年间建造的，以西班牙国王查理三世的名字命名，旨在与圣费利佩德尔莫罗城堡相得益彰，形成圣胡安湾入口的防御系统。

圣克里斯托瓦尔堡是西班牙人在美洲建造的最大堡垒之一，占地 27 英亩。 它拥有由隧道、坡道和墙壁组成的复杂网络，包括标志性的 Garita del Diablo（魔鬼岗哨）瞭望塔，从这里可以欣赏到城市和大海的全景。 这座堡垒的战略位置和令人印象深刻的建筑使其成为一个受欢迎的旅游景点，来自世界各地的游客前来探索它的许多房间、地牢和城垛。

除了其军事历史，圣克里斯托瓦尔城堡还在波多黎各的文化遗产中发挥了重要作用。 在 20 世纪，它曾被用作关押持不同政见者的监狱，如今它已成为波多黎各人坚韧不拔和反抗的象征。 该堡垒也是指定的国家历史遗址和联合国教科文组织世界遗产。

As the sun begins to set over the harbor around Castillo San Cristobal in San Juan, the sky comes alive with a stunning array of colors. The warm, golden hues of the sun gradually give way to deep shades of orange, pink, and red, casting a warm glow over the surrounding water and landscape.

In between, many boats were passing the harbor under the Sun. The glory of sun immersed the boats and and the boats carried the golden color away slowly. Time seemd golden as well as the reflection of water.

As the light fades, the sky takes on a moody, atmospheric quality, with the shadows of the fort and the boats in the harbor stretching out across the water. The air cools, and the gentle sound of lapping waves provides a peaceful background to the breathtaking scene.

As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky explodes into a final burst of vivid color, before fading into darkness. The twinkling lights of the city come to life, providing a magical backdrop to the peaceful harbor scene.

当太阳开始落在圣胡安圣克里斯托瓦尔城堡周围的海港上空时，天空中充满了令人惊叹的色彩。 太阳温暖的金色色调逐渐让位于橙色、粉色和红色的深色调，为周围的水域和景观投射出温暖的光芒。

其间，许多船只在阳光下驶过港口。 太阳的光辉淹没了小船，小船慢慢地带走了金色。 时光似金，似水倒影。

随着光线的消退，天空呈现出一种带有情感的氛围，堡垒和港口船只的阴影在水面上伸展开来。 空气变凉，轻柔的海浪拍打声为令人叹为观止的景象营造出宁静的背景。

当太阳落入地平线以下时，天空爆发出最后一抹鲜艳的色彩，然后逐渐消失在黑暗中。 城市闪烁的灯光栩栩如生，为宁静的海港景色提供了神奇的背景。

The Museum of Art of San Juan, also known as Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, is a world-class art museum located in Santurce, a neighborhood of San Juan. The museum is housed in a stunning neoclassical building that was originally built as the San Juan Municipal Hospital in the 1920s.

The museum’s collection features over 1,000 works of art from Puerto Rico, Latin America, and the Caribbean, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs. The permanent collection includes works by renowned Puerto Rican artists such as José Campeche, Francisco Oller, and Lorenzo Homar, as well as pieces by international artists such as Diego Rivera, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miró.

In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum of Art of San Juan also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing the work of both established and emerging artists from Puerto Rico and beyond. We were lucky that modern art exhibition was open to public during our visit. I took a few photos of paintings, mainly modern art, that touched me.

圣胡安艺术博物馆，又称波多黎各艺术博物馆，是一座世界级的艺术博物馆，位于圣胡安附近的桑图尔塞。 博物馆由1920 年代圣胡安市立医院改建而成，为一座与众不同的新古典主义建筑。

该博物馆的藏品包括来自波多黎各、拉丁美洲和加勒比地区的 1,000 多件艺术品，包括绘画、雕塑、版画和照片。 永久收藏品包括著名波多黎各艺术家的作品，如何塞·坎佩切、弗朗西斯科·奥勒和洛伦佐·霍马尔，以及国际艺术家如迭戈·里维拉、巴勃罗·毕加索和胡安·米罗的作品。

除了永久收藏外，圣胡安艺术博物馆还全年举办各种临时展览，展示来自波多黎各及其他地区的知名和新兴艺术家的作品。 我们很幸运，在我们参观期间，现代艺术展对公众开放。 我拍了几张触动我心弦艺术品，主要是现代画作的照片。

San Juan is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and natural landscapes in the Caribbean. One of the most popular beaches in San Juan is Condado Beach, which is located in the Condado district and is known for its soft sand, clear water, and stunning sunsets. This beach is also known for its lively atmosphere, with numerous bars and restaurants lining the shore.

Another popular beach in San Juan is Isla Verde Beach, which is located just east of the city and features over a mile of pristine white sand and crystal-clear water. This beach is a favorite among locals and visitors alike, and it offers a range of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

Rio La Planta also known as Rio Tanama is a beautiful river located in Arecibo. The river was named after a hydroelectric power plant built in 1923 that used to provide electricity to the towns close by. We spent one day along the river and two impressive waterfalls. Parking space was limited, but we were luck to find one for a small fee. We really enjoyed the beautiful river and waterfalls.

圣胡安拥有加勒比地区一些最美丽的海滩和自然景观。 圣胡安最受欢迎的海滩之一是康达多海滩，它位于康达多区，以柔软的沙子、清澈的海水和迷人的日落而闻名。 这个海滩还以其热闹的氛围而闻名，岸边有许多酒吧和餐馆。

圣胡安另一个受欢迎的海滩是佛得岛海滩，它位于城市东部，拥有超过一英里的原始白色沙滩和清澈的海水。 这个海滩深受当地人和游客的喜爱，提供游泳、日光浴和水上运动等一系列活动。

对于那些想逃离城市喧嚣的人来说，El Yunque 国家森林公园是必游之地。 这片令人惊叹的热带雨林占地超过 28,000 英亩，是大量野生动物的家园，包括 240 多种树木、数百种鸟类以及众多爬行动物和两栖动物。

Rio La Planta 也被称为 Rio Tanama 是一条位于阿雷西博的美丽河流。 这条河得名于 1923 年建造的一座水力发电厂，该发电厂曾经为附近的城镇提供电力。 我们沿着河流和两个令人印象深刻的瀑布度过了一天。 停车位有限，但我们很幸运找到一个, 仅付了少量费用。 我们真的很喜欢这条美丽的河流和瀑布。