Corruption, scofflaws, chickens

Smiley Anders for Aug. 21, 2007

Corruption, scofflaws, chickens

By SMILEY ANDERS
Advocate columnist
Published: Aug 21, 2007

J.R. Madden says he’s been working in Puerto Rico for several months:

“The other day, while reading the San Juan Star, I realized why I have felt so at home down here:

“Eighty-one doctors have been arrested for fraudulently obtaining their licenses to practice medicine from the Puerto Rican Medical Examining Board. 

“Both houses of the legislature and the governor are considering doubling their salaries while the local economy tanks.

“Motorists seem to view traffic laws as suggestions, though they do appear to have a dread aversion to use of the car horn.

“A fancy cockfighting arena is next to my hotel.”

 

http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/smiley/9275966.html

Tags: Puerto Rico, cockfighting, corruption

Casa Bacardi

Because the signs guiding tourists to the "Distillery Tour" were grown over by trees at the highway intersection (both directions), it took me a while to get there.  I went a long ways to the west and then, on the way back, ended up at the National Parks site on the western side of the entrance to San Juan bay ... which apparently most folks have trouble finding!

The Tour is free and two drinks at the bar in the pavilion are included.  Part of the tour includes bartending instructions for Cuba Libre, Dacquiri, and Mojito along with histories of the cocktails.

 

 

Tags: Bacardi, rum, distillery, Puerto Rico

Panorama shots of Fort el Morro & San Juan Bay

Fort Saint John of the Cross, better known as el Cañuelo

Fortín San Juan de la Cruz (Fort Saint John of the Cross), better known as el Cañuelo, is located on Isla de Cabras, Puerto Rico. It is part of San Juan National Historic Site.

This fort was originally built in wood in 1610. Due to its location at the entrance of the San Juan bay, and in front of the Fort San Felipe del Morro, across the bay, it provided a strategic point to create a crossfire for any invading ships entering the bay, filling a gap in the artillery coverage. It is said that, at one time, there was a huge chain crossing from El Morro to El Cañuelo that was stretched during attacks to provide a physical barricade across the bay entrance.

The fort also guarded the mouth of the Bayamón River on the other side. The fort played an important role during a Dutch attack to the island. At that time it was burnt to ashes. However, the Spaniards rebuilt it in the 1670s.

The square fort is about 80 feet (24 m) per side, with one guerite (garita in Spanish). Originally built on a rocky islet, nearby Isla de Cabras (Goat Island) was artificially expanded to incorporate it.

Although difficult for tourists to find, the site features fabulous views of Boca Vieja Cove to the west and San Juan Bay to the east. The fort interior is closed to the public, but one can walk around its walls. Isla de Cabras is connected to the main island by a short bridge.

Source:  Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ca%C3%B1uelo

Tags: El Cañuelo, San Juan, Fort

Photos of park & short video of Puerto Rican Surf

Above is an album of photos of the park recreational area and Fort San Felipe del Morro across the mouth of the bay. 

A short video taken from the National Park site on the western side of the mouth to the bay of San Juan, Puerto Rico and the location of Fort San Juan de la Cruz also called El Cañuelo.  Fort is to the south of the recreational area.

 

 

Smiley Anders for August 3, 2007

Smiley Anders for August 3, 2007

Don’t bug us!
J.R. Madden says our readers troubled by litterbugs can turn them in by calling DEQ’s Litter Hotline at (888) LITRBUG or (888) 548-7284:

“Get all the information you can about the vehicle or boat — registration or license number, color, make, model and year. Note the exact time and location that the littering occurred.

“And in most of south Louisiana, you can call *LITTER from your Cingular phone to report litterbugs from your vehicle.”

http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/smiley/8887147.html?index=18&c=y

Tags: Advocate, Smiley, Litter