We made it to Puerto Rico!!

Sunrise over Slow Dancing nearing Mayaguez

 We arrived in Mayaguez from another overnighter and were surprised to be followed in by a police boat who came along side to interrogate us about our departure and destination.

After answering all questions, they seemed content to let us go on to the harbor of Mayaguez.  We caught up with some fellow boaters (met in an earlier anchorage) and after some discussion,  we ascertained that we could simply call customs via telephone and they would check us in. The harbor was hot with little wind so once we were checked in, Navigator and Slow Dancing concurred that we would move on a couple more hours to Boqueron where we found a very quiet and comfortable anchorage.

This area was written up as the college kid hangout and was filled with bars and a few good places to eat.  However, since we arrived on a Monday, we were surprised to see the town extremely quiet with little or no nightlife.  Everyone in town assured us that things picked up on the weekend. Needing groceries, we decided to hire a taxi and go into the next town for ,  and to this end, we met Eddie the taxi driver who was originally from New York, drove like a New Yorker and talked up a storm about the area and what to see and not to see. Following his advice, we decided to stay over until Friday morning to see that promised night life for ourselves and alas, we found it to be almost as dull as the nights before. 

So we took off for more interesting sights on Friday and went to La Parguera where they were in the midst of rebuilding a street and rehabbing the town.  The next day, we took off for Gilligan’s Island, (Puerto Rican style).  This area was such a surprise.  The anchorage was terrific and we were amazed to see small ferry boats constantly going back and forth to the island.  So, we got into our dinghy’s and decided to explore.  We were surprised to find that this island was a park for Puerto Rican families to wade in the water, picnic and enjoy the day.  As we explored another side of the island, we were shocked to see a ferry arrive, its only passenger, a delivery man bringing pizza to one of the families on the beach.

Resort open to boaters

Also close by in another area in the channel was a lovely resort which welcomed boaters and provided a restful open air bar and restaurant which we totally enjoyed.

On the third of February, we arrived in Ponce which is the third largest town in Puerto Rico.  The Ponce Marina was huge and apparently the gathering place for senior citizens, Zomba dancers, and anyone else who would care to visit. Caribbean music was played day and night and often loud enough for even the hard of hearing!     

Both the crew of Slow Dancing and Navigator rented a car so that we could explore the city and interesting sights both in Ponce and eventually in San Juan.  Highlights of Ponce included a tour of the home of the makers of Don Q Rum…a lovely but sedate home built on the mountain side overlooking Ponce and a tour of the town square and the fire engine museum adorned with large and colorful statues of lions (Spanish, Ponce???). 

Colorful Lion in Ponce Town Square

Lions in front of Fire House Museum

Family Home of Don Q Rum

Everyone should make their steps into a fountain!!!

Our next stop was over the mountains in our rental car to Old San Juan.  We found a small but interesting hotel in the middle of the cruising ship tourist area and once settled in, took off to explore a fort with spectacular views of the harbor. Another great find was  a restaurant for dinner whose waiter was as great as the food and made the evening delightful.  He recommended a restaurant back in Ponce (more on that later).  The next morning we took a bus to the other end of Old San Juan and were stunned by its beauty.  We now understood why everyone said to visit Old San Juan.  

Cliff and Dan touring Old San Juan

 

Melissa checking out the old tree

Everywhere you looked were beautifully painted homes

View from a Castillo del Morro

Another view from Fort

 
 We left Old San Juan and followed the highway to the only Rain Forest in the United States. After stopping at the Park Information Center, we set off to drive through the park.  Our first stop was an amazing waterfall situated along the road.  Since this was so breathtaking, we decided to take the ¼ mile (so they said!) walking path to another waterfall. 

Lush Rain Forest

Breathtaking Waterfall

Alas, this path was mostly up a mountain and truthfully, Cliff and I were not sure we would ever survive long enough to see it.  Melissa minus Dan (who wisely chose to stay back and guard the car) seemed to be the only one of us not winded by the hike.  However, we did note that people passing us on the way would offer that the distance would only be 20 minutes or less and to just keep on trucking.  It was some consolation that we also were able to offer the same advice on our return to oncoming and exhausted hikers that we passed. 

Path to 2nd waterfall

The "Other" Waterfall

After driving back to Ponce, the four of us decided to go to Lydia's, the restaurant recommended by our waiter.  We found it to be very good and on our departure, we were shocked to run into the San Juan waiter who was dining there also.  Small world!!

Following a miserable rolling night at an anchorage near Coffin Island, we set off for Salinas.  Slow Dancing crew Dan and Melissa joined us for a dinghy ride to town for lunch at one of the local restaurants.  While walking, a lady by the name of Sylvia stopped in the middle of the road and offered us a ride in her SUV.  When we gave her the name of the restaurant we were looking for, she nixed it and recommended Café Ramon.  We decided to take her word for it (I was suspicious that she owned the place!) and were not surprised to find the food to be incredible.  

After lunch, Cliff and I decided to walk the one mile to town and check it out.  Unfortunately, the town proved rather disappointing and we found the walk back to be long and tiring.  Both Cliff and I were secretly hoping that Sylvia or maybe her husband would drive by and give us a lift.  Alas it was not to be.

Anchorage in Spanish Virgin Islands

Shortly thereafter, we took off for the Spanish Virgin Islands.  More to follow!

Disclaimer:  Navigator Blog followers, please note that all blogs concerning trip to Trinidad have been written and edited by a special and only crew member (Kathy Haven) and that the skipper, Cliff Baker is not responsible for any bad pictures, spelling, or blog content that might be a "bit exaggerated":)