On a happier note
While we had an awful return from vacation, our week in Puerto Rico was really nice. It's kind of funny how what we look for in a place to stay has changed over the years. Our priorities in no particular order now include: separate living and sleeping areas (so we're not stuck in a dark and quiet bedroom after Mädchen goes to sleep at 7:30pm); an in-room refrigerator for milk; quiet (so late-night revelry doesn't wake Mädchen up), but not too quiet (so Mädchen doesn't bother people too much if she cries or throws a tantrum); abundant shade (so that Mädchen and I can keep our Nordic skin out of the sun); easy navigation with a stroller; child-friendly dining options; comfortable furniture (for sitting with Mädchen and reading to her), etc. You may detect a recurring theme.
Overall, we were pretty happy with where we stayed on Puerto Rico's northeastern tip. We spent most of our time at the pool (there were two near our condo), but the property was so huge (we stayed in a separate village that was part of a much larger resort) that going anywhere else was quite a production. We were staying in these places up on the cliff:
...although we weren't lucky enough to have a spectacular oceanfront view; instead our balcony looked out over the parking lot (I guess that's to be expected when you get a reduced AAA rate)...
...and to get from our place down to the water entailed a cart ride (which was actually one of Mädchen's high points of the trip) to the main hotel...
...then a walk across the length of the hotel, an elevator down to another level, then another long walk, followed by a funicular ride to the marina...
If we had wanted to go to the beach, we would have then had to wait to catch a boat to an island. The thought of going to that much effort was enough to keep us close to home. Our one indulgence: a half-day at the onsite water park, where I (but not Gretchen) braved the speed slide. The blue speck is me about to hit the pool; I'm not sure who the blonde is, but I'm sure she was admiring my courage and bravado...
Overall, we were pretty happy with where we stayed on Puerto Rico's northeastern tip. We spent most of our time at the pool (there were two near our condo), but the property was so huge (we stayed in a separate village that was part of a much larger resort) that going anywhere else was quite a production. We were staying in these places up on the cliff:
...although we weren't lucky enough to have a spectacular oceanfront view; instead our balcony looked out over the parking lot (I guess that's to be expected when you get a reduced AAA rate)...
...and to get from our place down to the water entailed a cart ride (which was actually one of Mädchen's high points of the trip) to the main hotel...
...then a walk across the length of the hotel, an elevator down to another level, then another long walk, followed by a funicular ride to the marina...
If we had wanted to go to the beach, we would have then had to wait to catch a boat to an island. The thought of going to that much effort was enough to keep us close to home. Our one indulgence: a half-day at the onsite water park, where I (but not Gretchen) braved the speed slide. The blue speck is me about to hit the pool; I'm not sure who the blonde is, but I'm sure she was admiring my courage and bravado...
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