April 3, 2014

We left Boqueron and back tracked a bit to Puerto Real to get diesel and water. Contrary to the charts, neither were available at the marina in Boqueron! We had showers there as well. CS'ta Time also had a shower! We had lunch on board while we waited for a storm cell to pass. We left Puerto Real just before 1400 and motored to Cabo Rojo, about 2-1/2 hours south where we anchored close to Pat and Bridget who had also decided to move on to that anchorage. We had happy hour with them and said good-bye as we were planning on going further than them the next day.

Pat and Bridget's boat (Kioni) at Cabo Rojo anchorage (sw corner of Puerto Rico).

Cabo Rojo Lighthouse.

 

April 4, 2014

Friday morning we were up at 0500 and left the anchorage before 0600. We rounded Cabo Rojo and I believe officially were in the Caribbean Sea! We had plans of going to Gilligan's Island. When we arrived there at 0930 the winds and waves were so favourable we decided to press on. Silly us! By 1130 the winds and waves had both increased, winds to 20 kts and waves to 4' and of course we were heading straight into both! While I was making lunch, I was also making deals with Mother Nature. If she could cut us some slack on the winds and waves we (I) promised not to doubt the strength of her trade winds ever again. She was not biting as she knew she had us. We were never again going to doubt her strength! We motored closer to the shore around Ponce and beyond but when we changed course to head around the cayos to Bahia Rincon (towards the anchorage in Salinas) the winds clocked at 29 kts. Enough of this. At that point, the decision was made to turn around and head towards Playa de Santa Isabel about 2 nm away, anchor and stay there the night. We were only about 10 nm from Salinas but figured it would take an eternity to get there with the current weather conditions. We had a comfortable night and were in bed early anticipating another 0500 alarm the next morning.

I wasn't kidding about the wind! 40+ windmills along this stretch of the coast. Heading towards our anchorage at Playa de Santa Isabel.

April 5, 2014

We were up with the alarm at 0500 Saturday morning. We left the anchorage at 0545 and headed out. It was a good thing we left early as the wind was already blowing 15 kts and the seas were at least 3'. Luckily we only had 10 nm to do and about half of that was in Bahia Rincon which gave us some protection. We arrived at the anchorage in Salinas around 0745. As usual, Jorge scouted out the anchorage looking for a good spot and we recognized a number of boats including Serenada! After 7 weeks, we finally caught up with them. Anchor was set at 0800 and after tidying up a bit, we napped. While having lunch we noticed Diana and Gilbert on the marina dock. They had just returned from spending a few days in Palmas de Mar with friends from Orillia. We agreed to happy hour on their boat, which also included dinner. Thanks Diana!

 

Approaching anchorage at Salinas, P.R.

 

Los amigos reunited in Salinas.

April 6, 2014

As Diana and Gilbert had rented a car in order to get back to the boat from Palmas de Mar, we spent Sunday with them driving to a WalMart in Ponce. What we figured would be a few hours turned out to be a full day. Good thing for Jorge's Spanish interpetations. We got twisted around a couple of times on the highway and clover leafs, I can imagine how lost we would have been trying to get the directions in English. Anyhow, shopping done, we had lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Our treat for Diana and Gilbert driving us around. Once back at Salinas, it was another trial and error exercise as we tried to locate the office for dropping off the car the next morning. Again Jorge's interpetations paid off and we located the office. We spent more time driving and looking for our destinations than we did at the destinations!

April 7, 2014

Monday morning we were at the marina office at 0900 to meet a cruiser Jorge had met the night before while doing some internet stuff at the bar/restaurant (after returning from Ponce). Joe was going to the West Marine in San Juan and offered us a ride. We gladly accepted as we were thinking of renting a car ourselves to see the city. He dropped us off in old San Juan where we caught the trolley to El Morro (original tower built in 1539). We spent almost three hours touring the fort before heading back to the arranged pick up spot. It was a good but short time in San Juan.

Local cactus in bloom.

Downtown old San Juan.

San Juan municipal building.

Trolley ride in San Juan to El Morro (fort).

 

El Morro was a fort strategically built to protect invasion from ships approaching from the North Atlantic. (San Juan is located on the north coast of Puerto Rico.) There are 6 levels to El Morro, built at different times as the needs arose.

 

Entrance to El Morro.

Old San Juan from El Morro.

Working lighthouse atop El Morro.

Another view of old San Juan from El Morro.

 

While waiting for the trolley we entered an ex-military complex, now housing a museum and shops.

Parade square inside the ex-military complex.

April 8, 2014

Today was a day for boat chores. Jorge changed the oil in the engine and also in the v-drive. Then it was to the marina for laundry, blogging, emptying the jerry cans into the tank, refilling them, getting propane, planning our departure from Salinas and picking a destination. Luckily along this stretch of the coast if the weather deteriorates there are numerous anchorages to tuck into. The plan so far is to leave tomorrow evening (never to be out in the trades during the middle of the day trying to head east, we've learned!). Oh, oh, Jorge found a soccer match on t.v. at the bar/restaurant where we get the internet. All the boat jobs might not get finished today! Manana.