After our adrenalizing adventure en route to Puerto Rico, we were happy to settle in to life in the Caribbean. We’ll probably be in and around Puerto Rico for the next three months or so. There’ll be no more long passages for quite a while, although we can’t complain about our last 400 miles at sea.

The harbor at Puerto Real

Puerto Real was our first port of call. It is actually a small harbor and fishing village about 8 miles north of Cabo Rojo. We stayed at the wonderful Marina Pescadería. I can’t say enough about the place. As chronicled in our last post, they provided us a tie-up at the fuel dock even though they had no other place to put us when our windlass was not working. Jose, the owner, had marine electricians out to the boat at 8 a.m. to make repairs. The problem, as usual, was just due to corrosion on some wires. This was taken care of promptly and at reasonable cost. Jose then had the dock hands move some boats around in the marina so that we could hang out in a slip for a couple of days. Great service and very friendly people! When Cindy inquired how far it was to the local bakery, not only did they provide her with the information, they provided her with a ride! That afternoon, we were also given the name of a driver, Reuben Sylvestri, who spent three hours with us – taking us to Sam’s Club and Walmart in Mayaguez – for only 30 bucks!

Cindy and Beatitude at the dock

Riding with Reuben through Mayaguez

Me and our excellent driver, Reuben

Walking in the rain through the streets of Puerto Real

Sunset at Puerto Real (Beatitude to left)

Dinner at A Tu Gusto at the Marina

Thursday was a work day for us. I repaired a loose bimini support. I replaced one of our two fishing rods (A Walmart purchase). Cindy and I replaced the chafed-through reefing line. We did two loads of laundry (At $1.00/load! Although, the one washer and one dryer is apparently the community washer and dryer, so it can be difficult to find an opening). And lastly, I gave Beatitude a well-needed scrub and wash. It had been months. We then bought lobster at the local pescadería (fish market) which we grilled for dinner.

Boat noises are important. When you hear something new, it is worth investigating. I couldn’t figure where the squeak was coming from on our passage, until I noticed this bimini support rising and falling with the waves.

After removing the salon panel behind the helm station, I found the bolt (top) to have loosened. A quick and relatively easy fix to our Bimini support squeak.

Installing the reefing line.

Thursday evening dinner: Grilled lobster, corn, and salad.

We think we’re going to love Puerto Rico. It combines the beauty of the tropics with the amenities and conveniences of the United States. Our cell phones work just as they do in America with no restrictions on calling or texting. Among the many possible options for our future, we now add the possibility of hanging out in Puerto Rico for a few years. Who knows!? One of the challenges of being here, although one I greatly enjoy, is communication. Most of the people we’ve met speak very little, if any, English. We’re being happily forced to practice our Spanish.

The Q-flag removed; the Puerto Rican courtesy flag raised.

Although we loved being in Puerto Real, today we decided to move on. Marinas can get expensive and our plan was to mostly anchor out as much as we can while here. So, just before 11 a.m., we untied our lines and made the short trip southward to the town and bay of Boquerón.

Leaving Puerto Real: The Marina Pescadería and fuel dock (notice the diesel fuel price at $1.87! Thats less than half of what we paid in the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.)

My beautiful Admiral flanked by the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean en route to Boquerón.