Old San Juan, a bristling city of over 40,000 people, is not only one of most cleanest cities in region, but boasts of accommodation fit for rich and famous as well as those who pay more attention to their pocket-book rather than luxurious surroundings.

Accommodations range from US$150 a night in quaint and impeccable rooms in 18th-century historical buildings to US$1,500 in suites and villas, which are favorite destination for celebrities and rich and famous.

The warmth and friendliness of people of Old San Juan is matched only by delicious cuisine and luxurious accommodation to be found in different parts of city of magnificent 18th-century Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets..

History has it that island of Puerto Rico, 110 miles by 35 miles, with a population of nearly four million, was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to Antilles in 1493. The Spanish newcomers named island San Juan Bautista in honor of St. John Baptist and found it populated with Taino Indians.

Spanish Conqueror Juan Ponce de Leon was island's first Governor when Puerto Rico became Spain's most important military outpost in Caribbean and target for several attacks. In 1521, concerned about threats from English and Dutch enemies, Spain began constructing massive defenses and fortifications around city of San Juan.

In 1898, after Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico became a territory of United States under Treaty of Paris. In 1917 U.S. Congress granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship. The island has a Governor who is elected every four years. It has a resident Commissioner in Washington who represents island's interest but does not have a vote in Congress.

The island is blessed with magnificent beaches, rain forests, stunning caves, inhabited islands, pristine reefs and more than 500 years of glorious history, which collectively offer a wide range of activities, including hiking, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, golf or tennis.

The Hotel El Convento, located in heart of historic Old San Juan is setting new standards for comfort and luxurious service for its 58 exquisitely appointed guestrooms and suites, with surroundings reminscent of former 16th-century convent. It is hailed as a privileged environment of elegance, replete with unparalleled luxury and impeccable personal service.

Establishment of Convent followed granting of a petition in 1646 to war widow Doña Ana de Lansos y Menendez de Valdez by King Phillip 1V. She was granddaughter of Don Diego Menendez de Valdez, a captain general of Spanish amy and governor of Puerto Rico from 1582 to 1593.

Doña Ana de Lansos y Menendez de Valdez, widow of Captain Pedro de Villate Escovedo, inherited a vast fortune on her young husband's death in 1625, in an attack by Dutch, who, with French and British, were constant enemies of Spanish pwoer in Americas. Childless, Doña Ana resided across from cathedral on a property where two houses she had provided for as a war hospital and a religious school were destroyed in war-torn island.

Thousands of revellers jumped up, gyrated and 'wuk-kup' themselves into a frenzy as they partied themselves behind 21 bands on way from Barbados NBridgetown City Guideational Stadium to Spring Garden to bring curtains down on Crop Over 2002.

Twelve point seven inches of rain did not dampen spirit of revellers in their passion, an intensity, matched only by pulsating beat of drums and calypso music.

A sea of shimmering colors, blue, green, red, yellow, and orange stretched for miles and miles. A generator failure during first half of Heineken Beer/EAS Field White Rum Pic-0-de-Crop Finals at National Stadium did not prevent Red Plastic Bag (Stetson Wiltshire) from being selected Calypso Monarch 2002, for sixth time in his 20 year career. RPB had just begun his first tune when lights went out. He returned later to finish SAM, a powerful presentation of twin towers labelled love and peace, with RPB appearing in a Bin LaWorldwide Concert and Event Ticketsden costume followed by an armed soldier on hunt for him.

The crowd was captured by song in which Red Plastic Bag referred on several occasions to Bin Laden, with chorus of "terror, terror" and warning to United States by Bin Laden. He ended his presentation with two loud explosions on stage followed by collapsing of two towers.

When RPB was announced as Calypso Monarch, pandemonium broke loose as hundreds of fans swarmed stage, catching police off-guard and sending them scurrying on stage to form a barricade around Prime Minister Owen Arthur. Newsmen and photographers were also caught off guard, but only momentarily.

Worldwide Concert and Event TicketsThe new King drove away with a fully-loaded Subaru Impreza, two first class tickets to New York on Caribbean Star, a trophy presented by Prime Minister, and $10,000.

Most of those in finals night at National Stadium came out with blazing guns, ready to take crown, but RPB came out on top, dressed for first half with blazing red and later with a white Bin Laden outfit including a turban. In Stadium there were thousands of red flags, umbrellas, clothing, plastic bags, scarves, rags, flashing lights, and even men painted red.

Kid Site, another veteran on scene came in second and received a $5,000 check from Barbados Prime Minister. Kid Site was a crowd favorite from moment he went on stage, touching on several matters facing Barbados: unemployment, inflation, corruption in Government circles, and serious economic issues facing Barbadians. His first presentations were entitled 'Too Malicious' and 'Dangerous', followed in second half with 'Stop De Cover-up'. Both songs were well received, and from crowd's reaction, it became clear that it was a close race between Kid Site and RPB.

Third place winner, John King received a check for $1,500. His first rendition as 'Fuh Cree' was well received. He opened his presentation with a film dramatization of an old calypsonian named "Cree", asking King to render a song for him. This was followed by 'Body Talk' featuring two models. It spoke of a woman's body in its entirety and projected women in a different light.

The fourth prize of $500 went to li'l Rick with his first presentation, entitled 'Doh Tell Me So', followed by an upbeat performance entitled 'Owing'. Owing was well received as a good effort with necessary ingredients of good presentation.

The competition set stage for Becks Beer/Cockspur Surge Cohobblopot, also held at National Stadium. The Queen's competition came before King's competition and first place went to Spring Garden, a costume worn by Pat Harding, which displayed in colors of green, white, and silver. It was sponsored by Mount Gay Rum and is described as 100 percent Bajan.