El Yunque Rain Forest, PR

Babs and Tim came to visit for a week while we were in Salinas. We toured the island, ate street food and drank rum and a beer or two. One of the places we went was the Rain Forest. We were not expecting much and were very much surprised. It is a very beautiful place and we all enjoyed it very much.

View of El Yunque from a tower.

Carolyn and I in front of one of the water falls.

Babs and Tim in front of the water fall.

Flowers everywhere.

Lush greenery and ferns.

Bamboo grew 30-40 feet tall.

All in all, a very memorable trip.

Ponce, PR

We made a trip into Ponce with Larry and Ann Marie. It is different than San Juan and has as much history as San Juan.

The old fire station has been turn into a museum/monument. It is located on the square in old downtown/ art district.

An original fire truck for the station. I forget the year and model.


Bomberos means pumpers. That is what firemen are called.

One of the beautiful local churches.

This tree is reported to be 1000 years old.

Spanish color and architect.

The tour bus we took from the square. Not expensive and very informative. We took the tour given in English.

Back in Salinas and the end of another great day.

Old San Juan, PR

We traveled to San Juan with Larry and Ann Marie of Loafers Glory. A very interesting place with a lot of history.

Down town Old San Juan

A view of Old San Juan from San Christabol Fort.

Cannon balls at San Christabol Fort.

The dungeon at San Christabol Fort. There are wall drawings that are encased in glass to preserve them in this dungeon. The drawings were done by captured soldiers and officers before they were executed.

Boqueron to Salinas

We left Boqueron with sadness, it is a very captivating place. We sailed with Loafers Glory, Sarabond and Te Oigo bound for Salinas on the south coast where we will spend some time on boat projects and entertaining friends. We made short early morning jumps between stops so as to be tucked in somewhere before the trade winds kicked in and the seas got a little uncomfortable. The jumps were 15 to 20 miles at a time and very nice. One of the stops was Ponce and was welcome but not that great. The yacht club harbor where everyone stays is deep (30 ft.) and crowded. We left the next morning at 0730 for Caja de Muertos, a very beautiful island that is a state park. Lobster season is open year round in PR so everyone was hunting. We had caught a small tuna called a tunny, Te Oigo had caught a Spanish mackerel and Sarabond caught a huge lobster so that night we all went to Loafers Glory and cooked up a feast. Life is good.

Cabo Rojo light house is a very demanding site as you round the west coast of PR and turn east along the southern coast.

Houses on the water in La Parguera.

Cana Auroara (Gilligans Island) is a state park and here is where everyone swims and comes to BarBQ. We are about 5 miles from Encienada.

Anchored off Caja de Muertos (coffin island). Notice the light house in the background.

Coming into Salinas. The bay anchorage is very quite and protected.

Puerto Rico

We are in Boqueron, PR. The bay faces west so it is normally a calm anchorage and good holding. We got in early Friday and called in to customs. The check in was easy and done over the phone. The next night was Halloween and Boqueron came alive with hundreds of people dressed for the occasion. We also dressed a little and had a great time. The difference in the the DR and the PR is striking. We enjoyed the DR but Puerto Ricans are truly wonderful people, very gregarious and friendly. PR is very beautiful. Here are a few pics of Halloween night in Boqueron.

Locals

Locals

Joe (local pub manager of Los Remos) and LaLa and mother Mariola from SV LaLa.


Somebody's new bride.

Just having fun.