The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-05-05
MAY 8. 1909
ISLAND OF PORTO RICO.

~ tilI thitN' i"Nb'H ~
ranged for steamer chair, necessity
for the proper enjoyment OF an ocean
trip, and having seen to the slowing
away of my baggage, the sail down the
bay with the Statue Of Liberty in sight
and the passage between the frowning
forts out to sea was accomplished be
fore we were aware of it. We had fl
nally entered upon our 400 mile voy-
age not to sight land until we had
reached the Island.
There was little To break the mo-
notony Of the sea trip except the pass
ing sail and later on schools Of irolick-
ing porpoises and hying.fish skimmine
the surface OF the water OF the
coast OF Florida, vast floating masses Of
brown seawced from the Sargasso Sea
lent diversity OF color TO the azure of
the sky and the deeper blue OF the
ocean. For an absolute rest an ocean
voyage is unsurpassed Here on board
the ship one is cut off completely from
the res, of the world with nothing to
occupy the mind except eating and
sleeping, with perhaps som, day
dreaming; where even The event of the
day, the prosaic matter OF eating, is
hailed with indifference, and in many
cases, with contempt by those who have
moi yet made their peace with the roll
ing wave and the heaving deck. Re
clining in a steamer chair with a good
book from the ships library to engage
ones attention when wearied of the
restless sea, one cannot imagine a better
way for the complete relaxation Of mind
and body, while awaiting the new and
novel experiences which the end of the
Journey may bring forth.
We lay 10 off the hatbor Of San aan
in the evening after five days of very
pleasant sailing, with the intention Of
making dock the following morning.
hills surrounding the capital city, the
vessel made us way very slowly to the
pier back OF which stretched the city
with its many colored buildings, bathed
IN the early morning sunlight, rising
tier upon tier until the summit OF the
hill was reached upon which the civ
of San Juan is built.
The harbor presented an interesting
sight with here and there sail boat
gliding through the water across the
bay To Gatana. The country side dot
ted with small hills clothed in vivid
green with the palm trees coming down
to the waters edge, completed 4 land
scape worth the coming of many miles
to see.
Immediately upon landing one is
surrounded with runners from the var-
Gus hotels and constant babel in
liquid Spanish and poor English arises
from them, each declalmlng upon the
merits OF his hotel, Having met on
board 4 young man who spoke the Ian
guagc iluently we soon made arrange
ments to stay at a place under French
management, which proved to be inn
mensely superior to the general run of
hotel accommodation of which the less
said the better
On every side, novel sights and
sounds engage the attention the mar
row well,paved streets the white cos
tuned women, paled with the lavish
use OF powder the street vendors cry
ing their wares, which are carried in a
basket upon the top Of the head, and
which consist of anything from fruit
and sweets to laces and notions. A
camera is indispensable for the catch
ing OF such sights while the ear drinks
in the sounds that fill the air
Probably the most beautiful spot
around the capital is Borinquen Park,
reached Ivy trolley, situated in grove
Of towering palms, along the ocean,
with 4 number OF seats where one may
sit and enjoy the brilliant moonlit sea
with the much over-estimated southern
cross flaming in the heavens, with ones
brow soothed and the cares that iniest
the day put 10 flight by the cool caress
ing touch OF the balmy ocean hreezes.
Seeing the city is not complete with
out a visit to the old Cathedral, Moro
Castle and the Spanish Theatre, where
one may so at O'Clock in the evening
and sit until in the morning. with
interminable waits between the acts to
which one feels like applying some
qualifying adjectives not found in a
standard dictionary.
The island has been referred To as
"'The Land OF Miniature" The PEG
pie are small the horses good,sized
ponies, and other things in proportion,
with the notable exception OF the in
sects, and the fact that the stranger is
asked about twice as much as any
article is worth that he wishes to pur.
chase. From San Juan, railroad
(so-called) winds around the coas, to
Ponce, ride Of about ten hours al
though barely 40 miles distant. A
trip by rail is one that should not be
missed but it is hardly likely to be re
v,aata1 EvO,,, ths, ro1L;on o~l ~.