Tag Archives: Fire Control Station

A Tour of San Cristobel, San Juan, Puerto Rico

1 Entrance Into Castillo San Cristobal, 1.31.16

I was determined to see the two forts in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico before returning back to the States.  After having an afternoon siesta, it was time to tackle the tour of San Juan’s San Cristobel Fort.  There are two entries into the historical site, so I approached the main entrance with its fabulous views reaching El Morro and the Cemetery of Mary Magdalene.
2 The City Wall, San Juan, PR, 1.31.16

To my left, I could see the city wall.  Three miles long, it connects the forts of El Morro to San Cristobel.  After several attacks on San Juan beginning in 1625, the wall was finally completed in 1790, completely surrounding the city.  This section of the fort, there are embrasures to support cannons once used to protect  San Juan from invasion.

3 Carnival's Port in San Juan, PR, 1.31.16

I took the ramp up to the next level where I purchased my ticket and began my self-guided tour.  From a doorway nearby, I could see the Carnival Liberty docked in the harbor of San Juan.

5 Contrast from Old to New, San Juan, PR, 1.31.16

Immediately, I noticed the beautiful contrast of the old fort against the modern city of Old San Juan as I looked through one of its windows.  With such an amazing charm and rich history this beautiful port hosts nearly 4 million visitors each year.

6 The Kitchen

The casemate, with a vaulted chamber in a fortress, was the kitchen used to feed the soldiers of the garrison.  It was believed that the kitchen had eventually moved to another area of the fort and the original location converted into a storage room.

7 The Dining Hall

There was evidence that the Casemate Chamber No. 3 had several uses over the years.  From cannon emplacement to sleeping quarters and dining room, it  was believed that during WWII, it may have even been used as an officer’s quarters.

8 The Chapel, Place of Worship, 1.31.16

The designated Catholic place of worship  was set aside in one of the casemates of the fort.  Soldiers could attend weekly mass and it was also a place of daily prayer.

9 Sleeping Quarters, San Cristobel, 1.31.16

One of the compartments of the hall was set up to show the sleeping quarters of the soldiers that were stationed at the fort.

10 Water Cisterns at San Cristobel, 1.31.16

To ensure a healthy supply of water, the cisterns were built to capture rainwater for drinking.  There were a total of 5 cylinders that measured 57 feet long, 24 feet high and 17 feet wide, holding a total of about 870,000 gallons of water.

11 View from San Cristobel, 1.31.16

From the fort there were several views of the busy streets of Old San Juan.  The lively mix of pastel left a colorful  impression on the horizon.

12 Cruise Ship View, San Cristobel, 1.31.16

Passing several openings throughout the fort, I managed to see the cruise ship, Carnival Liberty docked in the San Juan harbor.  We had just returned today but I could have easily jumped back on for another week in the Caribbean.

13 Stairs Leading to the Second Floor, 1.31.16

There was a set of stairs that led to the second floor where the troop quarters were located.

15 Cannon Placements, San Cristobel, 1.31.16

I could see where the placement of the cannons were located and the tracks for which they could maneuver them from left to right to reach the target out in the open sea.

16 Fire Control Station, WWII, San Cristobel, 1.31.16

The Fire Control Station was built for use in WWII as an observation post to detect enemy ships and submarines.  The information collected here was transmitted to assist in the coordination of artillery fire.

17 Sun Setting on San Cristobel, 1.31.16

As the sun began to set, the light poured in from the arched doorways.  In the distance I could see the entrance to the long tunnel that led to the dungeon and I was so excited to explore this area of the fort.

18 The Dungeon, San Cristobel, 1.31.16

Thinking that the pathway leading to the dungeon would be dark and dreary, I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite well lit.   Standing outside of the entrance, the room was unusually small which was not what I had expected, but then I entered.

19 Drawings of Galleons, San Cristobel, 1.31.16

On the wall are extraordinary carvings of galleons, sailing ships from the 15th to 17th centuries.  Absolutely breathtaking, these works of art are assumed to be the drawings of a ship’s captain held captive here, awaiting execution for the crime of mutiny.

21 Museum and Gift Shop, San Cristobel, 1.31.16

Before leaving the fort, I stopped by the gift shop and the small museum that included an exhibit about the life and times of the soldiers living at El Morro and San Cristobel. After picking up some souvenirs and having my national parks passport stamped, it was time for lunch and this would be my last chance to enjoy my favorite local dish, mofongo.

Would you consider visiting El Morro or San Cristobel forts during a visit to San Juan?  I would love to hear your thoughts on attractions that are most important to you when vacationing.  If you would kindly leave your thoughts in the comments section, that would be great!  Many thanks for touring the Castillo San Cristobel through my blog post!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Castillo San Cristobel
San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Telephone: 787 449 4049

  • Admission Fee:  $7 which includes the Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal and 24 hours are provided to visit both forts
  • Hours:  Open daily from 9AM to 6PM.  Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
  • Amenities:  Gift shop and restrooms
  • Scenic Views:  Gorgeous views from the fort include the harbor and the cemetery as well as the shoreline.
  • Length of Visit:  2 – 3 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  There are several iguanas and feral cats that roam the premises.  Wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and bring plenty of water.  (Carts outside sell water). Don’t miss the Dungeon at Castillo San Cristobel!

Where to Stay:

Hotel Plaza de Armas Old San Juan
202 Calle San Jose
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
Telephone:  787 722 9191

Amenities:  Non-smoking, free continental breakfast, WiFi, refrigerator and microwave; there is a free trolley nearby at Stop #8

Where to Eat:

Cafe El Punto
105 Calle Fortaleza
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00901
Telephone:  787 725 1306

What to Eat: 

  • MOFONGO!  This is absolutely my favorite dish in San Juan.  Mashed fried plantains are smothered with meat and/or vegetables.
  • Alcappurias are similar to fritters filled with crab, meat or lobster and dipped in a batter made from green bananas.
  • Arepas de Coco is a bread made from coconut flour stuffed with meat, seafood or vegetables.
  • Chicharrones de Pollo are usually served as a side dish to mofongo, these tasty pieces of chicken are seasoned with garlic, oregano and achiote.
  • Chilo Frito is a fried red snapper served with fried plantains or french fries on the side.
  • Lechon is a suckling pig cooked whole and prepared juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
  • Pastelon:  San Juan’s answer to lasagna made with plantains instead of pasta
  • The Pina Colada was invented at Barrachina in Old San Juan.

Where to Drink:

Marilyn’s Place
100 Calle San Francisco
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00901

What to Read: 

  • The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson
  • The House on the Lagoon by Rosario Ferre
  • Simone by Eduardo Lalo
  • Mundo Cruel by Luis Negron
  • La Llamarada by Enrique Laguerre
  • Song of the Simple Truth by Julia de Burgos

Photo Guide for San Juan, Puerto Rico:

  • La Perla in Old San Juan for its colorful umbrellas
  • The cobblestone streets and colorful buildings of Old San Juan
  • The Forts in Old San Juan

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

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Approaching the entrance to Castillo San Cristobel

4 National Historic Site, San Juan, PR, 1.31.16

Plaque designating this site as a National Historic Site

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The Contrast between old and modern in San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Looking out from the Fire Control Station

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Spectacular view from San Cristobel to El Morro

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Inside of the Dungeon, San Juan, PR

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Well lit tunnel leading to the dungeon

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Scenic Coastal View from San Cristobel to El Morro

Diamond Head, Hawai’i: What a View

011010 Diamond Head in the Background

After we arrived on the island of Oahu, unpacked and settled in to the hotel, we could not help but notice Diamond Head majestically looming over the island in the distance.  We were ready to tackle the hike to its peak and to enjoy some much-needed time in the outdoors, so we loaded up the car, headed for the highway and made our way up the mountain.

Diamond Head is the remnants of a volcanic eruption that occurred over 150,000 years ago.  The British gave it the name Diamond Head as they mistakenly thought that the calcite crystals nearby were diamonds.  The Hawaiians know Diamond Head as Le’ahi, as to them, it resembles a tuna’s dorsal fin protruding from the ridgeline along its back.  Lucky for us, the volcano has been dormant for many years.  We began our ascent on this switchback trail, which is considered strenuous but only .8 miles in length.

Waiting for the Old Folks, Diamond Head Trail

The trail provided us with spectacular views of the Pacific.  We made the climb with several switchbacks before reaching a long flight of stairs.  The stairs brought us to a tunnel that lead us to the lower level of the Fire Control Station completed in 1911.  More stairs, and we then entered the third level knowing we would soon reach the Observation station.

011008 Another View from DiamondHead

As we continued our ascent, we had the mountain to one side and a handrail on the other as we made our way to the first overlook.  The trail was built in 1908 reaching a height of 760 feet and the views of Diamond Head and Waikiki were breathtaking.

011008 Incredible View from Diamond Head

On the other side of the station was the volcanic tuff cone which makes up Diamond Head.  According to GeoLearning, a tuff (or ash) cone, is “formed by explosive (and therefore potentially hazardous) phreatomagmatic eruptions (the interaction of basaltic magma and water). Tuff cones thus tend to be found near the water’s edge or just offshore. Tuff is composed of extremely fine-grained cemented volcanic ash.”

011008 View of Honolulu From Diamond Head

It took us a total of about an hour to reach the summit, with some stops along the way to admire our amazing surroundings.  Upon reaching the top, there was the Observation Station with a 360 degree view and a more stunning sight of Waikiki below.  On a clear day you could see for miles.  We took a few minutes to take in the moment and to catch our breath knowing it would probably only take about 30 minutes to return to the start of our journey.

As we finished the hike and reveled in our victorious climb with a view so spectacular and breathtaking, I realized that I would have been so disappointed if I had stayed back at the hotel or opted for a day at the beach.   I promised myself that even if it took a bit of effort on my part, I would not want to miss out on an experience of a lifetime such as this.

Have you hiked Diamond Head in Hawaii or maybe you have another hike that made a long lasting impression on you?  I would love to hear about your journey if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for taking this journey with me to Diamond Head and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Diamond Head State Monument
Honolulu, Hawai’i  96815
Telephone:  800 464 2924

  • Admission Fee: $5 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians, cash only
  • Hours:  Open daily from 6AM to 6PM. The last entrance to hike the trail is 4:30PM.
  • Amenities:  ADA Accessible, Snack Bar, Gift Shop, Picnic Pavilion and Tables, Restrooms and Water Fountains.
  • Scenic View:   Spectacular views of Waikiki from Diamond Head!
  • Length of the Hike:  1.5 to 2 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Please note that the entrance fee is cash only.   If hiking Diamond Head, wear appropriate shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks.

Where to Stay:

Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
2885 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai’i  96815
Telephone:  808 922 1700

Where to Eat:

South Shore Grill
3114 Montsarrat Avenue
Honolulu, Hawai’i  96815
Telephone:  808 734 0229

Voted the best fish tacos on the island, I could not wait to order a couple and decided on the Grilled Cajun Ono Fish with Aioli….absolutely delicious!  The chips and homemade salsa was a hit as well!

What to Eat: 

  • Kalua Pig:  Hawaii is famous for its Kalua Pig, similar to American pulled pork.
  • Poi:  Made from taro root which is similar to a potato, the poi we sampled was “pounded” into a thick starch.  This cooking technique results in a sticky pudding-like dessert which is purple in color.
  • Poke:  Similar to Japanese sashimi, yet the fish is cut into chunky cubes and usually served over a bed of rice.

What to Read: 

  • Waterman: The Life and Times of Duke Kahanamoku by David Davis
  • The Tattoo by Chris McKinney

Photo Guide for Oahu:

  • Diamond Head Crater Hike:  360 degree views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean
  • Hanauma Bay:  underwater photos, photo of the bay from the parking lot
  • Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Park scenery
  • Kualoa Regional Park and Mokoli’l Island: Palm trees and the triangle island
  • The Pineapple Plantations:  Take the inland route from Waikiki to the North Shore and stop at Dole Plantation
  • Sunset Beach and Pipeline:  the North Shore is the perfect location for surfing, so you will find LOTS of surfers here.
  • Turtle Bay:  surfers and sunsets
  • Waikiki Wall and Beach:  palm trees, surfers and highrise buildings, sunrises and sunsets

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Bill and Dean on the Diamond BAck Trail, Hawaii