Stupid is as stupid does. When we were booking for December 23rd, I, in my infantile wisdom, thought we were flying AJ on Saturday. As my lovely wife pointed out to me tonight, "No moron, I told you months ago we were flying American." She is from Philadelphia too.

Anyway, we have a beautiful 6 hour layover in San Juan. Do any of you experienced San Juan passer throughs have any suggestions to kill the time? We arrive at 1 PM and our flight to Bonaire is not until 6:55PM

Take a cab to the Intercontinental Hotel for massages and lunch on the beach !!!

There is a thread somewhere about what to do in SJU... someone help me here!

Massage? Kel, it's me Jim. Where can I find a beer and something good to eat? LOL If I get a massage, I'll fall asleep and miss my plane to Bonaire. LOL

James T,
And the missus? Doesn't SHE deserve a Le Spa hot rock massage at the Intercontinental?
You can chill out at the beach as she gets her massage.
Pony up pal,
Mare

Owww! Slapped in the face as a true sexist pig. I shall take that under serious advisement. Actually, I got her a whole spa treatment in Calistoga, CA when we were in the wine country for her birthday and she hated it. What can I say? She just loves my hands. LOL

Man-up, Jim. Treat the little woman to some R and R BEFORE the R and R of Bonaire !!! (I love the new "man-up" quote my husband has been using)

Take some massage oil, and give her a relaxing foot massage on the beach while she's drinking some wine and thinking about how wonderful you are. Or hell, do it at the airport and act like you don't know each other ! lol!

You'll have fun... you crazy kids.

James, last week we had a 6.5 hour layover in SJ coming back from Bonaire. Took an $11, 10-minute cab ride to the Courtyard by Marriott in Isla Verde, checked our carryon bags with the bellhop, and chilled out with no hassles whatsoever. The Courtyard has a beautiful beach, a pool that we used with no problem, several places to get some eats and some beer, and there's even a casino there. It was quite relaxing.

I vote for Waterclub near the Intercontinental. Huge terrace on the roof with sushi and great food and slushy drinks. Pool and views. There is a fabulous gift shop for last minute Xmas items. Check out Tangerine, their oh so chic dinner spot for perhaps a future layover?

Another idea is Old San Juan (19 cab ride each way). See El Morro the fort (designed by an Irishman, ya), walk the streets, have Puerto Rican coffee and Mallorcas at La Bombadera. This little city is charming. Great photo ops...Go to El Convento Hotel and across is where Ponce De Leon was emtombed. History is priceless. Down the hill is the waterwalk. Breathtaking..and tons of stray cats that are protected...incredible city.

If you are exhausted stay at the hotel's Best Western for a 99.00 day room. Totally soundproof, flat screen tv, clean but tiny rooms. In room wifi or LAN cable internet.

Oops..meant to say Airport's hotel, Best Western.

Jim, go San Juan Airport Tips and 100 Things to do on a Long Lay Over

My personal favorites are the Hampton Inn for burgers, and then a massage at the spa in the Inter Continental Hotel

We are so getting a massage. Kathi may not like getting massaged by a strange person. However, as soon as some handsome Latino man's hands are on her back, she will give in to the ecstasy. She will look at me like her nuevo Ponce de Leon and cringe with amore. I shall take her into my arms and say, "Cara mia." I shall then say, "Let's go to Bonaire and have an Amstel." Inter Continental, here we come. I'm serious. We're going, and I'm not telling her. Seb, how do we make a reservation for this? Cyn, thanks for that website too. It's not a job, it's an adventure. I have never had a real massage. Mi Dios, don't let the plane from Philadelphia take off late. Hasta luego.

Jim, I'm not Seb, but I can answer your question. Here is the link to the spa at the inter-continental. You need to make reservations though (and I would do it now rather than later). They have a jacuzzi you can use before your massage as well...it's niiiice. When you are done, if you have time you can relax by the pool, or relax by the pool before your massage. If anyone asks if you are a guest, just say you are waiting for your massage.

http://www.le-spa.com/locations.htm

Enjoy!

Cynde, just went on there. Thanks so much. Kathi will be very happy with this, I'm sure. This will be a really nice little pre-Christmas present for her. After teaching 4th graders since August, she will be very happy to be pampered. She certainly deserves it.

Mare, I ponied up. Kel, I did a total man-up. We get in at 1:00 PM. I booked it for 2:30. Do you think that's OK?

Jim, you should be OK. Massage ends at 3:30, shower, get to the airport by 4:30 or 5 Enjoy

oh wow, you da man, Jim !! Kathi will be so surprised --and appreciative ;) hee hee

Thank you my old buddies of Casablanca fame. Eveytime I go there, mommy starts laughing remembering that night with "Lobsterman, and the donkeys." We just had too much fun that entire day. I can still remember us out on the front porch of the Dive Inn jamming with Springsteen. It was all very cool.

Just took my reg and BC down to get serviced at Mid-Atlantic Scuba. I did 21 dives down on Belize this summer and thought it prudent. While there, she asked me if I knew about a dive operation on Bonaire called Larry's Wild Side. I told her I have dived with the madman himself about 5 times. She is running a trip to Bonaire in March or April and wanted some info. 21 and a wake up and I'm outta here like Vladimir.

Jim

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quote:

We just had too much fun that entire day. I can still remember us out on the front porch of the Dive Inn jamming with Springsteen. It was all very cool.

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Yes, all good memories Jim I hope we can hook up again sometime when we are on island at the same time. I still have that video clip of you doing the donkey imitation, then your "mistress" showing up...heh heh...

Yeah, we had the great party out at Jake's old house when you and Kel were dog sitting. We also went diving with Ari and his wfe the next day out on the old web cam by Jake's (Something Special), I bekieve it was Bastille Day, July 14th? Then we all did the Casablanca thing. It was a great time for sure. I also hope to do it again someday.