It seems like such an Australian thing to spend New Year’s Day on the beach. I don’t think Glen and I have ever done it, possibly because it would be too hot back home to do so, yet we took to it with relish. After a late breakfast at a crepe restaurant (one of the few restaurants open on New Year’s Day), we packed our beach stuff and caught a taxi to a beach in Isla Verde.
The beach is about two or three down from Condado Beach where we were staying. The guide from the day before recommended it as it had very fine sand. It was also much nicer than Condado beach as it had less seaweed and gentler water.
We arrived at about 12, hired some sun lounges and an umbrella and indulged in a little relaxation. I read my book for a while (Holy Shit: a brief history of swearing. An excellent book, highly recommended). We had piña coladas in real coconuts from the nearby bar. We swam twice in beautiful water. The hours slipped away and it was glorious.
At 4:30 the chairs were collected and the sun slid behind the buildings so the beach got cool. We trundled up the road and caught a taxi back to our hotel where we showered, and split into two groups to find food. Julian, Glen and I went for Chinese at the same place we went on the first day (though I didn’t much like it.
Food in Puerto Rico hasn’t been that great, at least not in the tourist area, which is perhaps not surprising), while Bec and Al went to find the place with no name recommended in the guide book. They found it and it was open but it was full so had to settled for something elsewhere.
Back at the hotel, I napped intermittently, eventually getting up at 8:45 and feeling groggy. Glen, Al and Julian had set up a game of Contagion so I joined in. We played two rounds, then Julian. Glen and I went for ice cream at a macaron store, then went to bed. I think everyone was feeling a little sad that our holiday had come to an end and we were about to re-enter winter.
Travels with Dan 
What do you say, eh?