Old San Juan + El Morro

At the end of our first week here, we took a day to explore Old San Juan and El Morro! We absolutely LOVED it. 

With the colorful buildings and cobblestone streets, it was just so charming! I absolutely loved watching the kids experience how unique and beautiful it was. At every corner we turned they would say, "Wow! Look at that place!" and "Holy cow, did you see that??" --and it was the best.

We got their fairly early in the day, so it was pretty quiet and gave us plenty of space to explore and soak in the magic of the old city.

^The colorful buildings!! I died over them^

^birthplace of the Pina Colada!^

^My favorite adventure crew.^

We started walking up a hill to get to El Morro, and on the way there we came across the most gorgeous scenic overlook! Im telling you, the photos don't even do it justice. The turquoise water was a DREAM.

^I MEAN SERIOUSLY^

^Love my dudes!^

El Morro!! 

We rounded the corner, and there it was.

The kids and I learned a little bit about El Morro in homeschool before we came to PR, and they were SO excited to see it in person! They love history and battle stories, so this place was right up their alley.

My favorite part? The GIANT grassy area where we played before we went into the fort. Families were there picnicking, people were flying kites, kids were rolling down the hill (my kids), and it was just so beautiful!!

^Her belly-led walk!! The best.^

^heaven^

We walked over to the fortress wall to get a better view of the ocean, and found this amazing cemetery. (I'd like to be buried somewhere with a view like that, please.)

We stood up in the gaps of the wall and the wind practically blew us away!! The kids were laughing and laughing. It was such a fun moment! 

^So many babies!^

^Getting blooooowwwn away!!^

^"Uh, guys? It smells like pee in here!!"--Holland^

^Me and my five.^

After we played for a while, we headed into El Morro! 

It was so crazy to see a "National Park Service" arrowhead sign as we walked in--I kept forgetting that it was a U.S. National Park! So wild to me.

We paid our admission and headed in to explore, and the kids were so so excited!

^The view from the women's bathroom! AMAZING.^

Boston and Camden were so into it. They were looking at maps, searching for the dungeon, and telling us all sorts of stories about the history of the place. 

Being there just made everything we had learned come alive to them, and I loved watching it happen!!

^Monroe was captivated by the water^

^buddies in a lookout tunnel!^

^Chin-strap masks!^

Now here are some pictures of Monroe running around a little cell, because MY GOSH. She's so fun and crazy, and I'm just obsessed with her at this age!!

^Literally perfect!^

^The old kitchen!^

^Love him.^

After we had explored to our heart's content, we realized we were all starving. So I asked the girl working in the gift shop what her favorite restaurant was within walking distance, and she pointed us to Cafe El Punto! 

So we headed off on a walk to find lunch, and we literally stepped inside two seconds before it started pouring. (If you know PR, you know how crazy the rain is here!) Talk about good luck!

^The coolest art gallery at the entrance to the restaurant^

^A little pre-lunch nursing sesh for a tired baby girl^

The owner of the place was SO kind, and came over and immediately embraced our loud and crazy bunch. He brought us samples of fruit we'd never tried, chatted with us about his home country of Chile, told us about the items that the kids would like best, and was just so amazing.

And holy cow-- the food was So. Dang. Good!

^mango, passionfruit, peach smoothie juice^

^Authentic Puerto Rican Chicken Mofongo with rice and beans!^

^Three types of Mofongo (one chicken, one crab, and one beef), corn bread fritters, fried cheese (YUM), and a cute squirmy baby in the background haha)

^Boston approved!^

I was so proud of the kids. They tried everything we ordered, and even had seconds and thirds of some of the foods! We've been learning A LOT about different foods from other countries in homeschool, and I think they were so excited to be the ones trying new foods (instead of watching videos of other people haha)!!

We finished our meal, and headed out to find the sun shining and the birds chirping. So perfect!

^Masks everywhere here! Staying safe (and sweaty!) haha^

What fun day!!

There were definitely hanger meltdowns, and moments where we were all hot and tired, but new adventures always make it worth it. ALWAYS!