My advice? Stay a little longer!

¡Bienvenido de vuelta! Welcome back!

The beauty of Puerto Rico extends well beyond the area that is in close proximity to San Juan. Fortunately, examples of this beauty are within a short drive and can easily be reached with your private rental car or one of the many tour services that provide door-to-door transportation from your accommodation.

The crystal-clear waters that surround these islands are home to some of the most exquisite marine life on the planet, and pristine coral reefs are within a short boat ride from one of the many marinas. Easily explored by a novice snorkeler, these reefs also offer new experiences for the most experienced scuba diver. For those who prefer to stay above the water, there are many other ways to enjoy the sea. Numerous charter services provide access to everything from deep-sea fishing to day sails to many of the secluded beaches that are within a short distance of San Juan.

When in Puerto Rico, don't overlook
the water that surrounds it.

– Wirepec/iStock/Thinkstock

Enjoying the sea is not just a daytime activity. There are three bioluminescent bays—in Puerto Rico: Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Laguna Grande to the north-east in Fajardo, and La Parguera to the southwest in Lajas. When microorganisms in these “bio bays” are agitated, the water glows. Several providers will take you in a guided kayak tour to one of these unbelievable sites. The bio bay experience should not be missed!

There is plenty to do for the land lover as well. Within a 45-minute drive of Old San Juan is the lush rainforest. Here you can enjoy zip lining, four-wheeler tours, and horseback riding. Exploring the rainforest provides an up close and personal introduction to the fascinating creatures that inhabit the island.

My advice is, if you make the effort to travel to Puerto Rico, add on a day to get out of the city and explore. It’s easy and well worth the effort.

As congress draws to a close, I would like to thank my colleagues for making the journey to Puerto Rico. It was a pleasure spending time with you. It was an honor to learn from you. And, I look forward to collaborating with you in the future and seeing you in Cape Town next year!

Until then ... ¡Estar bien! Be good!

P.S. Check out these pictures from research congress.

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.

South Beach with an accent

Ashford Avenue

¡Bienvenido de vuelta! Welcome back!

Before taking you to one of the jewels of Puerto Rico, I would like to congratulate the 19 researchers who were inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame during this research congress.

Just to the east of Old San Juan and a short walk from the convention center is the Isle of Condado. Just as Miami Beach is separated from Miami by Biscayne Bay, Condado lies across the bay from Old San Juan. You can barely tell the difference between Collins Avenue on South Beach and Ashford Avenue, the main street through Condado. You might say that Condado is South Beach with a tan and Spanish accent.

Blackened sea bass

Walk its streets and you find many of the same shops that adorn the finest beach resorts around the world. Situated among them are many restaurants with the freshest seafood and great views of the ocean. There are also plenty of great pubs with friendly locals and tropical beverages that quench the thirst you build while power shopping on a hot summer day.

Tourist beach and hotels

The truly best way to cool down from your walkabout is a dip in the crystal blue Caribbean Sea. Just a few steps from Ashford Avenue and across pristine sands, you can cool your heels in the clearest water you have ever seen. As you walk along the beach, you hear the sound of local bands entertaining guests who are enjoying pools at the many hotels that line the beach, but I recommend continuing your walk, not because these beaches aren’t among the best I have ever seen but because there is more local flavor to explore.

Oceanside beach

Bayside beach

Adventurous?

You will see a few San Juan residents on the beach near the tourist hotels, but if you want to sunbath and swim with the locals, walk toward the bridge that links Condado with the mainland. You will find beautiful beaches on both the ocean and bayside, and locals there are as welcoming as they are anywhere else on the island.

If you are adventurous, you can quickly find yourself involved in a beach volleyball match or even diving competition off one of the bridges. Just remember: No swimming for 30 minutes after you’ve eaten and absolutely no drinking and diving!

As for me, I’m off for a swim. So, until tomorrow, ¡Estar bien y ser segura! Be well and be safe!

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.

Starry night, Latin rhythms: Magic!

Evening in San Juan.

¡Bienvenido de vuelta! Welcome back!

Before taking you on a tour of Old San Juan at night, I would like to extend a hearty congratulations and welcome to the newest members of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International who were inducted today—Friday—at the international induction ceremony.

As the sun sinks in the west and cruisers head back to their ships, Old San Juan goes through a period of transition. This is a great time to head out to one of the many restaurants in Old Town. In keeping with ANCC’s policy about presenters not promoting products, I will not recommend a restaurant. Oh, what the heck! We’re not giving CE credits for this blog. Ten years ago, I stumbled across the Aqua Viva. I was pleased and not surprised to find out it’s still here. If you are a fan of ceviche, this is the place for you. The many varieties are truly the best I have had in all my travels. When it comes to seafood, there are very few places where you can go wrong in Old San Juan. And if you’re not, there are still many choices, ranging from American fare to traditional Spanish and, of course, traditional Puerto Rican.

If you like ceviche, this is the place!

End of day is also a great time to just sit and relax in one of the many plazas as musicians gather and begin preparing for the evening’s festivities. San Juan is known as the Caribbean’s music capital. From symphonies to jazz festivals, there is something for every music lover in San Juan. There are fantastic venues to observe performances, but you can actually find some of the best music you’ve ever heard for free on the streets.

Tuning up.

San Juan, the Caribbean's music capital!

If music is not your thing, there is still plenty to do in Old San Juan at night. As you wander around, you will notice many things you didn’t see during the daytime that were right there in front of you. The historic architecture takes on completely different characteristics when bathed in the moonlight and glow of street lamps. The many sculptures and monuments that adorn the plazas seem to come alive at this hour.

Monuments come alive at night!

When it’s time to give your feet a rest from strolling around Old Town, there is a plethora of lounges, discos, and coffee shops in which to prop them up. Don’t just sit with your friends and talk among yourselves, though. The locals are warm and welcoming. They are always willing to share the history of their nation, a tall tale or two, and, if you are lucky, a tip about a secluded beach, a great surf spot, or equally as important, a recommendation for your next evening’s dining experience.

Activities in Old San Juan go on well into the early hours of the morning, if you care to stay up that late. And even at the wee hours, the streets are safe. If you should need assistance of any kind, a public safety official or friendly local is never far away.

With the moon high in the cloudless, starry night and the sound of Latin rhythms pulsating on the breeze, I’m off to soak up the rest of this amazing night. So, until tomorrow, ¡Buenas noches!

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.

Something in the air

¡Buenos dias!—Good day!—from San Juan, Puerto Rico, site of the 26th International Nursing Research Congress, sponsored by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. I look forward to being your cultural correspondent for the next several days. I will be sharing sights and sounds of San Juan and Puerto Rico.

From the moment I stepped off the flight to San Juan, I could feel something in the air. I know, if you have ever been here, you are probably thinking “Humidity!” You would be right, but that’s not what I was thinking. I was immediately reminded of the proud and vibrant culture of the island nation I experienced during my last visit some 10 years ago.

The ride from the airport clearly demonstrated that, although the vibe has remained the same, many changes have occurred since my last visit. Obviously, significant investments have been made in infrastructure and other growth to support tourism, one of the island’s primary industries. A host of new hotels now line Condado Beach just east of downtown San Juan. My ride to town ended at the official congress hotel, which is located directly across the street from the exquisite, brand new Puerto Rico Convention Center, meeting site for congress.

Puerto Rico Convention Center

The place to be in coming days!

Like many conference attendees, I enjoy true local experiences. With that in mind, I got some change, dropped 75 cents in the meter, and caught the local bus down town, saving a little cash by not taking a cab. The buses are new, clean, cool—yes, they have air conditioning—and safe. I exited the bus just outside the main plaza in Old San Juan.

According to the locals, the plazas are the heart and soul of Old San Juan. Walk through any plaza, and you will see people gathering, artisans displaying their creations, and musicians filling the air with the sweet sounds of local tunes. The free trolley that runs around Old San Juan is extremely useful for getting your bearings. It provides a great overview of the sights and, on hot summer days, a welcome opportunity to take a break from walking.

Stroll around the old town, and you will find a plethora of outstanding restaurants specializing in local fare, gift shops that meet any need, and duty-free shops that carry high-end goods ranging from fine leather to fine jewelry. Keep in mind that San Juan is a popular cruise ship destination, so if shopping is on your agenda, it is best to get out and get it done before passengers disembark from a ship or after they return to it.

For me, the best part of walking the old town during the daytime is soaking up the architecture. The Spanish-style buildings, which date back hundreds of years, are ornate and, in many cases, brightly painted. Occasionally, you spot locals in windows watching the world go by, just as they’ve done since the colony was established. I guess what I’m really trying to say is, be sure to look up. It’s not all about T-shirts and diamonds.

Yes, I am attending the research conference, not just sightseeing. Although it is not my assignment to report on specific congress events, I must note that President Klopper did an outstanding job of kicking it off by reinforcing the importance of global collaboration and how, for those just embarking on that journey, this event is the perfect forum for connecting with peers.

The first day ended with a reception that facilitated networking and taking in some local, live music. Ah, live music, something you will hear more about in tomorrow’s post when we explore Old San Juan at night.

Until then …

For Reflections on Nursing Leadership (RNL), published by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Comments are moderated. Those that promote products or services will not be posted.