Buenas Dias from Puerto Rico

Whew! The last few days have been quite hectic for the cruising life. Let's go back a bit to catch up. On Monday, we said farewell to Dave and Lorna, our first boat guests on this adventure. They were great guests - having a camper helped them understand electric and water conservation as well as living in a small space. Dave gave Barbara bread baking lessons. He did the first batch - and then on Sunday, with the teacher watching, Barbara did her batch. They actually rose this time and it was a successful bread baking experience. We had thought it might be a way to pay for a new outboard - renting Dave out as a bread baking teacher!! Let's hope she can do it without the baker on board!!

We didn't get to snorkel as much with our guests because of weather and the outboard issues. It would have been great to get to shore in South Caicos and snorkel some of the outer reefs off Ambergris. But we did have fun - especially the snorkeling on the way to French Cay and around Grand Turk and, of course, the domino tournaments (who won again???)

After they left, we quickly headed out to clear out and lift anchor. As the previous entry mentioned we learned a lot more about Astarte. She is still a new boat to us and the lessons keep coming. It was easier on Mariah for our last cruise as we had that boat for 20 plus years and Michael re-did every system on board. We're still learning, fixing and understanding this boat.

We thought we would have been anchored in Boqueron by Thursday morning. But, it took much longer. It was a very frustrating Thursday. On one hand, the dreaded Mona Passage was calm (quite unusual), on the bad side - the dreaded Mona Passage was calm - meaning absolutely NO WIND. We couldn't even keep the boat on course - the current and swells had total control. The sails were noisy staying limp and slating about (not keeping full). As an earlier entry mentioned - we had to conserve fuel because of bad fuel management (and math) on our part. That won't happen again (we hope). So we were destined to just bob out in the Mona Passage. It took us nine hours to go ten miles (and not on course!) To add to the frustrations, we had a fishing line almost the whole time during daylight hours and no joy!

Finally, a wish answered, the wind picked up about noon and it built to 12-14 knots in the right direction - sending us on course into Boqueron. It died as we were about ten miles away - the land effect. We motored - holding our breath that we have at least three gallons left. We came in on one of the most magnificent and dramatic sunsets we've ever seen (unfortunately we couldn't find the camera) the boat was a bit jumbled from the three day, lumpy, heeled over at times passage.

We dropped the anchor close to shore and ate for the first time that day. Then we crashed - even though the partying on shore was loud, fun sounding and very musical (bar bands playing from different venues all vying for attention). It rained - so we did get the decks, solar panels and wind vane a really good wash down. It was the first "real rain" we had since we left. The boat was becoming a salt mine. But all is clean today.

We already met a nice couple from a boat named Kyeta - they came over to lend us their cell phone to call the guy we need to take us to Mayaguez to clear into customs. We have to row in and then walk up to the main road because the town is literally shutting down the roads at noon today. This town is a resort for the local PR folks - especially college students. It should be party town tonight (you'd think on Good Friday in a religious country it would be more solemn).

It's a pretty town and a really nice anchorage. Even though there are lots of boats at anchor - it's roomy. Unfortunately lots of little speed boats and jet skis (kinda like mosquitos buzzing about) - but we'll get into the party mode and just relax and enjoy.

The gas station a few blocks in town will hopefully be open and we can jerry jug about 15 gallons to the boat today. Maybe another 15 tomorrow.