We’ve been in Puerto Rico for almost two weeks with NO posts on eeeeeep!
Time for a photo catch-up:
Our first port of call in Puerto Rico is Puerto Real, a very nice, sheltered anchorage. We were able to get fuel and water (free DRINKABLE water!) here as well = bonus!
Weather-beaten, mangled boat in Puerto Real’s harbor.
After a few days in Puerto Real, we head a short three miles south to Boqueron. It is such a short trip that we break our “no drinking while sailing” rule – Stéphane makes us Caesars – a drink that was introduced to us by our friends Michael and Lucy in George Town. It’s like a Bloody Mary but much tastier!
Boqueron is a little village on the water that comes alive on the weekends. Its narrow cobblestone streets are lined with bars, restaurants, beach gear shops and souvenir stores. Vendors sell clams under little tents and a guy paints your sailboat – anchored out in the harbor just beyond – on cotton t-shits, $20 a pop. I took this pic for mom and dad – Sunset / Sunrise!They sell special drinks in Boqueron.
Curious kitten inspecting the gringos from a safe distance.We find a fun spot (Sunset Sunrise) to hang out and play rummy.Guess who won? (Not me).One day we walked about six miles to a Walgreens so we could purchase a new SIM card for our phone. The things we do for phone and data. Posing next to one of the many colorfully-painted cement pillars throughout Boqueron.
Selfie! We are finally able to access some good running trails. Two days in a row of exploring and running / hiking in Boqueron did our lazy legs good!!Our anchorage in Boqueron was quite rolly and so we took off, a few days ahead of our buddy boats, to Guilligan’s Island.On the sail over to Guilligan’s Island, I try some push-ups.Stéphane works on more boat projects. This one – sanding the cockpit drink holder.Guilligan’s Island (not to be confused with Gilligan’s Island) is a small island park where the locals go to grill, swim, and kayak. It is just off mainland Puerto Rico so where we anchored we access to both. We ran / hiked an 11-mile trail to an old Spanish fort one day. On the way, we checked out a 100 year-old tree.The one hundred year-old tree.The old Spanish fort. Unfortunately the old stones had layers of spray painted graffiti and were gouged with names and symbols from its past visitors. No bueno.View from the fort looking inland.View from the fort looking out into the ocean.
The bone remains of this animal were laid out quite nicely on a rock on the side of the trail.Hikes in the heat really sap your energy. Time for a nap in the coolest chair ever! Our friend Steve gave this to us – it’s a free-hanging hammock-style chair. It’s supported by one of our halyards.There’s also a resort on the mainland across from Guilligan’s Island. We dinghied over and checked it out – very nice!Next stop: Isla de Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island or Island of the Dead). Lighthouse on top of the hill.Other half of the island. Another hill with a cave that held a statue to the patron saint of fishermen.
Stéphane is still earning is Hunter-Gatherer of the Year points – he caught this king mackerel on the way over. We grilled it that night and it fed five!Hike with Steve & Kelly and Mark up to the lighthouse on the hill of the island.Our trail was bordered on either side by enormous cacti – their branches? trunks? reaching ever skyward.I got a short but steep run in along the trail up the hill to the abandoned lighthouse.View from the top. Free Range is the boat anchored furthest to the right.And…we are sailing! On to the next stop: Salinas.We rent a car and drive to Old Town San Juan – the old Spanish fortress.While in San Juan, we got provisions, got to a West Marine, and got in some tourist time all in the one afternoon.
Old cemetery near the fortress and next to the sea.Beers in Old Town San Juan with Steve and Mark.
Stéphane creating a new technique for steering the dinghy – it’s all in the weight distribution!
2 weeks to long for posts 4degrees here today wind chill minus 15 cabin fever sitting in enjoy seeing tropical scenes no more slacking on my entertainment be safe
Hey you two!
No wild Carnival stories, unfortunately. We ended up at an out-of-the-way anchorage with no access to the mainland (and no car even if we had access). That’s sort of how it goes on a sailboat. Either you’re in a super crowded anchorage next to a happening town on the water, or you’re in the middle of nowhere.
The Grizz (Winnebago View - active duty)
1,800 miles and counting
The Hungry hippo (Popup camper - retired)
1,200 miles
The Gruffalo (Tow behind camper - retired):
12,000 miles and counting
The Baby Bison (Tow behind toy hauler - retired):
7000+ miles
Maine > New Mexico + adventures in between
The Great White Buffalo (5th wheel camper - retired):
3,000 miles
Free Range (Slocum 37 sailboat - resting; getting overhauled in Nova Scotia):
Traveled 2,400 nautical miles from Oriental, NC > Antigua (end of the road).
2 weeks to long for posts 4degrees here today wind chill minus 15 cabin fever sitting in enjoy seeing tropical scenes no more slacking on my entertainment be safe
Great pictures, awesome job! No wild Carnival stories???????
Hey you two!
No wild Carnival stories, unfortunately. We ended up at an out-of-the-way anchorage with no access to the mainland (and no car even if we had access). That’s sort of how it goes on a sailboat. Either you’re in a super crowded anchorage next to a happening town on the water, or you’re in the middle of nowhere.
You’re getting in some running, exploring, sightseeing – Bravo! XO