From London we flew to Philadelphia. (And the big gag is that it’s the second time on this trip, because Amman, Jordan was the original Philadelphia). And then changed planes to San Juan, Puerto Rico. This flight was very like flying to Apia. It took 3 hours. In a small plane. Everyone either knew each other, or were related. Everyone had his or her own KFC with them and there was a great deal of shouting and singing and then wild applause when we landed safety, as if it was an unexpected bonus. Except all in Spanish instead of Samoan.

Note to self and other travelers: as of last month it is now difficult to travel to the US with children who have a different last name to you. FYI. So far its been OK because the kids can insist that I am indeed their Mamma and not a stranger coercing them.

Puerto Rico – What a very delightful place. Humid and tropical and lush. And everything seems to be in very sharp focus, with exaggerated colours. Too blue and too green. Especially after lavender and grey Berkshire and pink and yellow Lyon.

The old part of the capital city, San Juan* is Spanish colonial with some nice city walls and a large fort or two. Its quite small and walkable and touristy and a little like Puerto-Rico-Land at Disney World if there was such a thing. Except populated with a million very sweet, diseased catties, which would never be allowed at Disney (except after hours).
*Mouse is confused between San Juan and Sichuan. I think she is over-travelled.

I’ve learned that most of the Eastern Caribbean islands are totally economically dependent on tourism now that the sugar industry has moved to Central and South America. Which synchronised with most countries gaining their independence from their European colonisers. Therefore screwing any chance of maintaining the life styles and social services that the populations had under their colonisers.

Thoughts on the Caribbean in general:
• It’s like Thailand, but with buffalo wings, Rastafarians and no pedophiles.
• It’s not ironic to drink corona with lime
• The local guys look like dreadlocked Calvin Klein models and call you ‘baby, honey or princess’ which makes me go pink and drink another rum cocktail
• For the first time in my life it’s appropriate to have enormous boobs, because everyone else does.
• Creole food, plantains, rice and beans, ribs and BBQ all taste exquisite (only) on a beach with a sun set.
• Southern people (making 45% of the boat people, the other 45% are Puerto Rican and 10% miscellaneous) all say ‘y’all’ and ‘ma’am’ in every sentence
• The sea is clear, but not as clear as Greece and their reefs and coral are nothing compared to Australia. Which I think is a global warming thing.
• People on the islands say ‘Jah bless you’ and smile a lot.
• The boat people just LOVE formal night on the ship. It’s fascinating. Beautiful old ladies (my age) in sparkly Oscars style dresses; tuxedos; very fat young people in dresses like squeezey sequined tents. (In NZ they would be at St Lukes in track pants, not in red satin.)
• Fat, black Caribbean ladies in tight dresses look sexy. Fat white ladies in tight dresses look sad. Also, ladies with grey dreads look very cool. I think I’ll go that way when the time comes/dye runs out.
• I’m finding the whole LoveBoat thing fascinating and very enjoyable – it might loose some charm after the 3rd or 4th time.

Here’s some photos of Puerto Rico, a squashed frog, and a cockroach.