Short visit to Puerto Rico (many postcards)

[texxter]

This week I had a business meeting in Puerto Rico, Thu and Fri morning. I spent some time on Fri afternoon and evening and Sat morning getting to know the island a little. I had little time to explore the way I would have liked, especially the people, so I only got some postcard type of pictures. The island has so much natural beauty it's hard not to get those types of photos.

I took my D700 and the 35mm f/2 lens and a couple of cards, and I carried the camera in my work laptop backpack. I was so glad I didn't have to worry about a separate camera bag! For many shots that require a long exposure I had to find a steady place to rest the camera on and I used the timer to avoid camera shake. I am pleased with what I got with a single lens.

#1-#4 below - Crash Boat Beach near Aguadilla, northwest corner of the island. This is a pretty beach a coworker in PR recommended after the meeting on Thu. I stayed for an hour or so until the sunset. There were some big surf waves there, as you can see in #1 and #2 below:

#1.


#2.


#3.


#4.


#5. I took a stroll by the port of San Juan where the cruise ships dock - there were two of them there, and I photographed this larger one.



#6. This is the other cruise ship, leaving the port. Images created from the top of El Morro, an impressive Spanish fortification that protected the commercial traffic between Spanish America and Spain.



#7. Here is another view of the large vessel leaving Puerto Rico - the skinny island to the left used to be for those afflicted with leprosy.



#8. This is a view of San Cristobal castle, another fortification along the coast.




#9. A view of the port from the San Cristobal Castle. I stopped here for a few minutes on my walk to El Morro. The cruise ship in the background is the same one you saw above leaving the port a while later.



#10. This is a scene of Old San Juan at night. Because I didnt have a tripod, I put the camera on a steady surface. This was Fri night and there was a food festival going on, with plenty of people around.



#11. I stayed at the Hilton in San Juan and this what one of their pools looks like in the early morning. I was having a latte right here on Saturday morning.



#12. A view of the city from the hotel, notice the strong Atlantic surf.



#13. On Sat morning I visited El Yunque Rain Forest and hiked one of the trails. I noticed this stream of light hitting some leaves in the deep darkness of the forest.



#14. This is the waterfall I found at the end of the 20 minute trail in the rain forest. I put the camera on a rock close to the water and used the timer to capture this image. This place is fantastic!



#15. Another detail of the tropical vegetation in the forest.



#16. There is an observation tower that allows a 10 miles view of the island and beyond. I shot this on my way to the top of the tower, which offers a 360 degree view of the forest and the island



#17. And this is a view from the tower... Impressive and beautiful.



#18. And this is where I had my lunch a couple of hours before catching my flight back home... it's a roadside restaurant where they are frying yucca and plantain doug stuffed with crab or beef, grilling chicken and shrimp skewers... a delicious lunch and very nice people!

[TxLerman]

I have been to San Juan on business and I have stayed at the Caribe Hilton many times. You did a nice job!!

[JohnT]

Nice! I'd love to do portrait shoots down there.

[c995990]

As always, great set.

[tml]

Paco, great series, especially, the cruise ship shots. I was there in the summer as well. Beautiful place and great food. Tri

[texxter]

Thank you guys for the comments!

[AngryBlackBear]

Ah, my homeland...mi isla.

I couldn't help but smile at these photos. I know every single location you visited, haha! I have seen quite a few photos of them, but these are very impressive, texxter! My favorite are the ones from Old San Juan, El Yunque, and the food place. I actually visit that location when I visit my family.

Good job :)

[Angelo]

Yup, that's my island as well Jean.
Thank you Paco for showing us its beauty.

[M12576]

Wonderful photos! And I'm very jealous! On my week long visit it was raining almost every day...