The 19th annual Puerto Rican Gay Pride Parade took place this past Sunday June 7, 2009 in Condado’s Ashford Avenue (San Juan, PR).  Hundreds gathered in one of San Juan’s most heavily transited avenues to march in favor of equal rights, sexual freedom, separation of church and state, and life in general in a buoyant celebration of gay culture.  Enjoy some photo and video highlights below - or watch the full parade captured with one of Flip’s excellent pocket-sized Mino cameras by clicking on the links below.

Gay Pride Parade Uncut: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Photo Credits: Débora Reyes using iPhone camera

Get a glimpse of what the inaugural Taste of Rum Festival in Old San Juan had to offer: good food, lively music, great people, and the finest rums in the Caribbean. Also included are some awesome pictures from the High Flair Bartender Entertainment stage. Get started by clicking on the EyeCandy gallery below! To learn more about rum in Puerto Rico click here. To learn more about the Taste of Rum event click here.

For previous legs of the Old San Juan Walking Tour, click on the corresponding links:

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

We’ve been to many sites, gawked at incredible vistas, witnessed historical architecture and works of art, and ate and drank in some of the city’s best restaurants/bars.  Alas, all good things must come to an end.  But let’s not lament yet, we have a long stroll ahead of us and 9 more stops on our walking tour.  Let’s make the most of it.

Homeward Bound (Leg 4 of 4)

From the northwest corner of Plaza de Armas, walk west on San Francisco St. until we reach Del Cristo St. once again.  If we make a left we will head south towards our next destination.  Storefronts all along the street entice passersby to window shop (or really shop) but we’ll continue walking until we reach Capilla del Cristo (#31).  The legend goes that in 1750, during one of the traditional horse races, a rider was violently thrown from his steed.  A spectator made a plea to the Santo Cristo de la Salud to save the unfortunate jockey, who was stopped - thanks to the structure - from plummeting to a certain death.  Since then, a  picture of the Christ has hung on the wall of the chapel.  Next to the Capilla is el Parque de las Palomas, or pigeon park.  With a fantastic view of the bay as a backdrop, visitors can mingle with and feed the scores of pigeons in and around the park.

31. Capilla del Cristo

Across the street from Parque de las Palomas is el Museo del Libro (#32).  The museum houses an invaluable collection of Old World manuscripts and original documents from the time of Spanish rule on the island.  Though the building is presently under renovation, much of the collection is currently displayed in Museo de las Americas in Ballaja.

32. Museo del Libro

Coming off Del Cristo street, we head east on Calle Tetuan.  Casa Ramón Power y Giralt (#33) will be located to your left.  The Fideicomiso de Conservacion - Puerto Rico’s conservation trust - rescued this historical building - the former home of early 19th century Admiral and politician, Ramón Power y Giralt - from disrepair and now serves as their headquarters.

33. Casa Ramón Power y Giralt

Our next destination is Fortaleza Street, specifically the area commonly referred to as SOFO (#34).  After leaving Casa Power y Giralt we turn north on Calle de la Cruz and then make a quick right into Fortaleza Street.  Shops, bars and restaurants line both sidewalks and crowds gather to party late into the night in these trendy hot spots.  Short for SOuth of FOrtaleza, SOFO also features a bevy of dining options, from classic French cuisine to modern fusion, certain to please any discerning palette.

34. SOFO

Past the alleyway that leads to the famous Nuyorican Cafe, stands Casa del Callejón (#35).  One of San Juan’s oldest buildings, it now houses 2 different museums: Museo de la Farmacia, a collection of  artifacts that would have been found in a 19th century pharmacy; and Museo de la Familia Puertorriqueña, recreating an affluent family home of the 19th century.  You could get caught up in the scene at SOFO, I won’t blame you.  But we still have 4 sites on our walking tour and you don’t want to give up now, so close to the end, do you?  SOFO will stay right where it is and it’s vibrant nightlife will continue to be active until late, so you don’t have you worry about missing a thing.

35. Casa del Callejón

At the end of Fortaleza Street, to your right, stands one of the New World’s oldest active theatres, Teatro Tapia (#36).  The venue is named after famous Puerto Rican playwright Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and still hosts events that range from children’s plays to ballet performances.  The interior, with its marvelous wooden balconies and horse-shoe shape, seats about 700 people.

36. Teatro Tapia

In the middle of Plaza de Colón (#37), directly north of Teatro Tapia, a marble and bronze statue of European explorer Christopher Columbus towers over the city.  The plaza had always been an important meeting place and cultural landmark for San Juan when it was called Plaza Santiago.  During the late 19th century the figure and pedestal were erected thereby rechristening the square as Plaza de Colón.

37. Plaza de Colón

Puerto Rico’s second most famous, yet equally important, fortress covers a large amount of terrain.  Fuerte San Cristóbal (#38) can be seen from the northeast corner of Plaza Colón, stretching along Muñoz Rivera Ave. and Norzagaray St., where the main entrance is located.  Built in the 1600’s as a way of preventing another successful land invasion - as the Dutch had accomplished in 1625 - the expansive fortifications occupy a huge territory on the northern part of the city.  Even if you’ve already seen El Morro, visitors should not pass up the opportunity to explore the lesser known San Cristóbal.  The vantage points towards the Atlantic Ocean and La Perla, and the superior views of the city and bay from El Caballero - the fort’s highest point - give San Cristobal an identity all it’s own.

38. Fuerte San Cristóbal

Our last stop in our Old San Juan Walking Tour lies just a bit beyond the city proper, but still easily accessible.  In fact, El Capitolio de Puerto Rico (#39) is probably one of the first landmarks you’ll see if you enter Old San Juan through Muñoz Rivera Ave.  The building is not yet 100 years old, but still manages to exude a timeless quality through its architecture.  It serves as the home of the Legislative branch of government, the Senate, and House of Representatives and it also contains the original document of the Puerto Rican Constitution.

39. El Capitolio de Puerto Rico

And with this our tour is done.  We’ve traversed through all the major historical sites, museums and places of interest in Old San Juan, but there are still many more waiting to be discovered by you.  Run amok through town; as we’ve said before there is no better way to enjoy this glorious city than to explore it on your own terms.  We hope this walking tour will better prepare you to be your own guide!

EyeTour.com is one of the media sponsors for the inaugural edition of the Taste of Rum International Rum & Food Festival to be held next Sunday May 24th, 2009 at El Paseo de la Princesa in Old San Juan.  Join us for a day of Caribbean music, culinary treats, and of course, the best rums in the world!  Prepare for the event by reading our featured article on Puerto Rican rum here.  We’ll be covering the event and will feature it on an EyeCandy Photo Gallery update on our blog soon after, so check back for updates!

Some information from the event website:

Location: Paseo La Princesa, Viejo San Juan
Date: Memorial Day Weekend, May 24th, 2009

Taste of Rum 2009 features a chance to experience a wide variety of Caribbean rums, great food from our neighboring islands, live music, and, last but not least, a feast of Puerto Rican joyful energy, culinary and musical richness, and culture!

The Puerto Rico International Rum Competition
Features the unique experience of rum tasting with international and local rums, to be judged by a panel of rum experts and celebrities. The event will be held May 23rd & 24th at Hotel Casa Herencia.

Day Event: Doors Open 12pm – Closed @ 5pm (Tickets will be available until 4pm)

• Sampling Cover Charge $10.00 Plus Tax. / Includes 2 Rum Samples & 1 Typical Food Sample Tickets
• Premium Cover Charge $30.00 Plus Tax. / Includes 14 Rum Sample Tickets & 6 Typical Food Sample Tickets

Night Event: Doors Open 7pm – Closed @ 11pm

• El Catador Cover Charge $45.00 Plus Tax. / Included Unlimited Rum & Food Sample
• To benefit SAPIENTIS, a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of Puerto Rico’s public education system
• Learn about the organization at www.sapientis.org

For Part 1 of the Old San Juan Walking Tour, click here.

For Part 2 of the Old San Juan Walking Tour, click here.

After experiencing Old San Juan’s beauty through sites such as Paseo De La Princesa, La Rogativa and El Morro, you might ask yourself: “What else is there to see in Old San Juan?”.  But the answer is simple: there’s plenty more for you to discover so keep on reading below!  On this leg of the tour we will continue to explore the northern section of the city and begin our descent through Del Cristo Street.  So, let’s not waste anymore time and continue with part three.

The Third Time’s the Charm (Leg 3 of 4)

After enjoying everything Calle San Sebastián has to offer we retrace our steps a bit, heading north on Del Cristo Street, past Iglesia San José, towards the Convento de los Dominicos (Walking Tour site #19).  Located on Norzagaray Street, the structure dates back to the 1500’s when it served as a convent for Dominican monks.  Through restoration efforts, the building maintains the characteristics of period Spanish architecture and serves as a space for art exhibits and a score of other cultural events.

19. Convento de los Dominicos

Although we’ve seen it from afar and walked alongside it, we still haven’t explored Plaza del Quinto Centenario (#20), located to the west of Convento de los Dominicos.  The different levels of the plaza commemorate the 500 years since European contact with the New World.  The fountain at the lower level not only adorns but also offers passers-by, especially children, a refreshing soak against the daytime heat.  Going up the two flights of stairs we find the Totem Telurico, a 40-foot tall structure that stands at the city’s highest point and looks out towards El Morro and the Atlantic Ocean.

20. Plaza del Quinto Centenario

Continuing Norzagaray Street to the west, directly adjacent to Quincentennial Plaza, is the Cuartel de Ballaja, which contains our next two attractions:  Museo de las Américas (#21) and Museo del Indio (#22).  The three-storied building, which used to serve as barracks for Spanish soldiers,  features an impressive interior plaza - a typical trait of Spanish architecture in the city.  On the first floor of the building we find the Museo de las Américas.  Boasting several exhibits focused on New World art, the museum is also home to a vast collection of “santos” - a Latin American tradition of carving saints out of wood and other materials.  The second floor houses the Museo del Indio, which includes an extensive collection of artifacts pertaining to the Taíno culture and other pre-columbian inhabitants of the island and abroad.

21. Museo de las Américas

22. Museo del Indio

Further west on Norzagaray and across the street from the Plaza is the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (#23).  Constructed in the late 19th century, the two-storied building now serves as headquarters for the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (ICP), the main government agency for promoting the arts on the island.

23. Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña

Walking south along Morro Street, with the ICP on the right-hand side, you will reach Parque de la Beneficencia (#24).  A small, breezy plaza, you will normally see groups of local art students taking a break from their classes or skaters honing their skills on the steps and rails of the park.  You may rest here and watch them practice or continue southward towards our next destination.

24. Parque de la Beneficencia

On the southwest corner of Parque de la Beneficencia we find the iron gate leading into Casa Blanca (#25).  This residence would have been Juan Ponce de Leon’s home, but he ended up a casualty - getting shot by an arrow - while searching for the Fountain of Youth in Florida before construction was completed.  Instead, his lineage lived in the mansion for centuries after.  The courtyard and gardens are incredibly well kept and serve as a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life; the foliage casts shadows that cool the area while the trickling harmony of the fountains adds to the serene and otherworldly atmosphere.  Admission to the gardens is free of charge and you only have to pay a small fee if you want to browse around the refurbished mansion.

25. Casa Blanca

With a sense of rejuvenation, we leave Casa Blanca and head east on Calle San Sebastián until we reach Plaza San José once again.  This time we head south, down Del Cristo Street.  To your left you will find bars and restaurants,  including one of our favorite dining places, El Burén.  Further south is a lovely, small plaza with benches, a huge tree providing shade and several strange and unique sculptures.  This plaza, known as Plazuela or Caleta de Las Monjas, is surrounded by our next three sites.

Located at the intersection of Del Cristo with Calle Las Monjas is El Gran Hotel El Convento (#26).  Formerly a Carmelite nun convent, the majestic building is now a first-rate hotel, attracting guests from all over the world.  El Picoteo, located in the hotel, is a fine dining option.

26. Gran Hotel El Convento

Museo del Niño (#27) is situated on a three-story building to the west of Caleta de Las Monjas.  The museum features interactive exhibits presented in a dynamic way, where children can have fun and learn with the very friendly staff.  If a child is participating in this walking tour, the museum is a can’t-miss spot.

27. Museo del Niño

Directly in front of Museo del Niño - it’s kind of hard to miss - stands one of the island’s most significant religious structures, the Catedral de San Juan (#28).  Construction of this imposing building began during the 16th century and some of its original components remain to this day.  The cathedral’s main attraction is the marble tomb of explorer Juan Ponce de Leon.

28. Catedral de San Juan

As you walk down the cathedral steps, head north on Del Cristo St., we’re going to make a quick detour.  Make a right at the first corner and walk towards San José Street.  Right behind the cathedral is the Corralón de San José (#29).  One of Puerto Rico’s oldest theatres, the historic site was recently re-opened after several years in disrepair.  Continue to head south on San José Street to arrive at this leg’s final destination.

29. Corralón de San José

La Plaza de Armas (#30) is the expansive plaza located between San Francisco and Fortaleza Streets.  Adorned with statues, fountains, benches and gazebos, the promenade is an popular meeting place because of its centric orientation in the city.  Lots of pigeons meet here too.  Across the street to the north of the plaza is San Juan’s City Hall, also an important historic building.

30. Plaza de Armas

Wow, 30 sites and still more to go.  There’s a lot of walking left and Part 4 promises to be memorable.  So save up some energy for our final stroll and let’s meet up again for the conclusion to our walking tour of Old San Juan.

On to Part 4 of EyeTour.com’s Old San Juan Walking Tour.

As spring turns into summer, and the skies begin to clear up, the time-honored tradition of kite flying returns to occupy open spaces all around Puerto Rico.  The most popular spot on the island for this type of activity is the wide, open field of El Morro.  The area around the historical landmark contains all the necessary conditions for successful kite flying in a picturesque setting: the sprawling green lawn, the unobstructed airspace (no power lines or aircraft), and the constant, unrelenting trade winds.  With these characteristics, it’s no wonder why kite flying in El Morro is something every Puerto Rican family tries at least once.  Picnics are commonplace with parents and children participating in the event; the terrain strewed with blankets, chairs and coolers, the sky dotted with simple or fantastical chiringas - as the flying objects are locally known.

Kite flying is such a beloved leisure activity that the National Park Service has an annual Kite Festival celebrating the tradition, as well as raising awareness about the environmental repercussions we can avoid by being mindful of our surroundings.  In fact, kite safety and etiquette are things you should familiarize yourself with before setting out.  With the knowledge at hand, you’ll be able to better enjoy the experience.

And what else do you need to enjoy the experience?  A kite, of course!  Kites are fairly simple to make right at home, so you can certainly turn your weekend into a full-fledged experience by making your own kite and proudly displaying your unique creation up in the sky.  You can also bring your own store-bought flying sensation or buy one from the numerous street vendors (or the local pharmacy or toy store) lining the streets around El Morro and the Plaza del Quinto Centenario.  Gayla is one of the most trusted brands for cheap yet incredibly sturdy and easy to assemble kites - and their classic designs like the ‘Baby Bat’ look great when displayed up above. Readily available in Old San Juan for less than five dollars, there is a lot of fun to be had on the cheap!

Kite-flying season runs ostensibly from mid-spring to late summer and isn’t just focused on El Morro.  Several other municipalities, like Fajardo and Lajas, celebrate the season with festivals of their own.

To read up on this year’s Saborea Puerto Rico culinary event, click here.

After last year’s resounding success, Saborea Puerto Rico returns for a second helping as the Caribbean’s premiere culinary event.  The three-day festival runs from Friday, April 3rd through Sunday, April 5th - at El Escambrón Beach near Old San Juan - and promises an extravagant gastronomic experience to delight even the most meticulous food enthusiast.   The festivities commence on Friday night with the Rums Of Puerto Rico Beach Soireé, a can’t-miss bash featuring an amazing assortment of cocktails and a menu created by chefs Bradford Thompson and Mario Ferro.

The Saborea Puerto Rico Village opens Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm and encompasses the main activities within the event.  At Al Euro Demo Kitchen Theatre, renowned local and international chefs will delight onlookers with cooking presentations.  Among the personalities participating in the event are: Iron Chef Cat Cora, Executive Chef of Bon Appétit magazine; Michael Psilakis, Best New Chef of 2008 for Food & Wine magazine; world-famous chocolatier Jacques Torres, and acclaimed Puerto Rican chef, Wilo Benet.  To see who else will be presenting, click here.

Tastings, seminars and other demonstrations are spread out across two pavilions, where foodies will get a chance to try dishes and sample a wide variety of wines and spirits from some of Puerto Rico’s finest dining places.  Some of the establishments showcasing the flavors of Caribbean and World cuisine include Ajili-Mojili, Trois Cent Onze (311), Morton’s @ Caribe Hilton, Old Harbor Brewery, and many others.  For a complete list of restaurants and exhibitors, click here.

Not to be left out, the Saborea Kid’s Pavilion offers youngsters the opportunity to learn simple and fun recipes through cooking demonstrations and other exhibitions.

With the abundance of activities, a picturesque setting and the exquisite flavors of the cuisine, events such as Saborea are quickly making Puerto Rico the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico’s east coast has developed into an essential vacation spot, beckoning tourists to discover it’s breathtaking natural wonders and numerous world-class accommodations, like El Conquistador Resort and Gran Meliá Puerto Rico.  Several prestigious events - including the Puerto Rico Open golf tournament at Trump International Golf Club - take advantage of the scenic setting provided by the eastern municipalities, while destinations such as Las Croabas highlight the diversity of activities available to visitors.

If you’re staying in the area and want to maximize your enjoyment, don’t miss these spectacular spots:

El Yunque National Forest - Río Grande, PR

Covering over 28,000 acres of land, El Yunque National Forest offers visitors some of the most breathtaking vistas found in the Caribbean.  The forest attracts over a million visitors each year, who come to hike its more than 13 miles of trails while enjoying the lush scenery, rich biodiversity, and fresh mountain air. Guided tours of these trails are available through the USDA Forest Service’s innovative “Forest Adventure Tours” and “Rent-A-Ranger” programs.  A short ten-minute drive through the village of Palmer in Río Grande and up PR Road #191 will lead you to the forest.  On your way up, don’t forget to stop at El Portal Rain Forest Center, an award-wining structure established in 1996 to serve as a gateway into El Yunque National Forest and to provide various recreational and educational opportunities to the general public. VIEW VIDEO

Balneario de Luquillo -  Luquillo, PR

Just a 45 minute ride east from San Juan and a couple of minutes away from the entrance to El Yunque Rainforest lies the Balneario de Luquillo. La Monserrate Beach, as it is also known, is one of the oldest and most visited public beaches on the island. A member of the Blue Flag Program that emphasizes water quality and environmental conservation, the crescent’s tranquil waters are surrounded by spectacular views of the nearby mountains.  Stopping by the strip of kiosks on the road leaving the beach, where you can enjoy a great variety of fritters and other staples of traditional cuisine, should be an essential part of your visit.  VIEW VIDEO

Balneario Seven Seas - Fajardo, PR

The Balneario Seven Seas, located on the northeastern tip of the island, is the municipality of Fajardo’s most popular public beach. Puerto Rico’s Compañía de Parques Nacionales oversees this long stretch of beach, known to draw large crowds on weekends and holidays. Seven Seas features powdery white sands that gently slope towards the shallow, clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Amenities available for visitors include restrooms and showers, lifeguards on duty, security guards, as well as wheelchair access to the beach. Camping is also allowed with proper permit for a fee, or one can rent a gazebo for the night.  VIEW VIDEO

Bahía Bioluminiscente Laguna Grande - Fajardo, PR

Puerto Rico’s eastern coast – host to some of the island’s best known attractions – has been blessed with an extraordinary rare and beautiful natural phenomenon seldom seen anywhere else in the world: the bioluminescent waters of Laguna Grande, where endless amounts of microscopic, single-celled organisms known as dinoflagellates light up like stardust whenever they are activated by movement.  Eco-friendly tours depart regularly from the public dock at the small fishing village of Las Croabas located on route 987. Several private companies are ready to take you on a two-hour night-time kayak adventure through the bay and into the mangrove channels that lead to Laguna Grande.  VIEW VIDEO

Las Cabezas de San Juan - Fajardo, PR

Located on 445 acres of land acquired and maintained by The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve is an incredibly diverse and scientifically important tract of land.  The main tour consist of a two-hour trolley ride that guides you along the reserve with three stops of interest. Among those are the boardwalk trail through a mangrove forest, Playa Lirios, and El Faro de Fajardo. Situated on the highest point of Cape San Juan, the stone building was the second lighthouse erected on the island by the Spanish and offers breathtaking views to enjoy as trade winds gently blow by.  VIEW VIDEO