Monkey Island

We are anchored off Cayo Santiago, also known as "Monkey Island." It is inhabited by 1000 monkeys (don't know who actually counts them). . They are "free range" monkeys and part of the Caribbean Primate Research Center. Aren't quite sure what type they are - and there may be a variety. The island is private and signs on it tell visitors not to feed the monkeys. Word is they tend to bite touristas! We can see them from where we are anchored and though they were quiet most of the day - in late afternoon, they got quite loud and active. We could see them swinging in the trees, running on the beach and heard them chattering away. We're pretty sure they don't swim - so we don't expect any nighttime visits from the primates. A boat with scientists and workers went back and forth to the island a few times today. The island itself is very pretty with lots of trees - mangroves, palm trees and some others. It's a bit hilly with a pretty beach. Nice digs for the monkeys.

This morning, we left Puerto Patillas at 0500 and had a lumpy ride with lots of "eek" waves. Those are the waves you see coming at you and you say "eek" thinking they will crash over the deck. But alas, Astarte usually rides over them quite nicely - though a few of the big ones will get you wet in the cockpit. You do get tired from holding on! We had to also avoid a lot of fish traps today - kind of like crab or lobster pots - something under water with a line holding a marker (usually a Clorox or old motor oil bottle). Glad we did this run in daytime to see them all.

We turned north at Punta Tuna (the southeastern tip of PR) and picked up some speed thanks to the easterlies (and we were heading north). We've gone north to get south - go figure. We're now sitting on the eastern shore of Puerto Rico.

We had some rain today as we anchored and it was a grey and mostly cloudy day. The anchorage has gotten very roll-ey so it won't be that pleasant a night unless it settles. We'll look at weather in the morning but are planning on leaving bright and early again to make the 30 mile run to Culebra. Unfortunately, seas look a bit big (5-6 feet) and the wind is east 15 to 20 (and we're heading northeast). But unfortunately it doesn't look like that will change for several days. So we'll make the run. We know there is a great anchorage there and will look forward to a good night's sleep.