I was so surprised to hear myself say “Yes!” and Matt and Karen quickly set everything in motion, saying it would be a good opportunity to celebrate my end of year ‘80th’ AND it was calm where they were anchored in Salinas, like glass!  With only a little over 3 weeks to get organized there was hardly time to get too excited or to change my mind.  I set off on 2nd February and it was just wonderful to see them looking so happy and healthy, Matt even bronzed, as they met me in San Juan Airport at 10.30p.m.  From here it was more than an hour’s drive to Salinas Marina in the south of the island where we boarded Debbie the Dinghy, with their day’s shopping and my luggage – I was doubtful we would all fit but soon we were on a magical trip under the stars out to Where 11, anchored about a mile into the bay.  It was after midnight and I had to learn how to get from the dinghy to the boat!  Well, I did and it was the beginning of a holiday of a lifetime.  

 “5 o’clock somewhere”

Of course, a highlight was just living on the boat known as “the poshest boat in the anchorage” by the other cruisers.  I learned to keep my balance, move in small spaces and ‘hold on to the life lines’.  It was very comfortable and peaceful especially in the mornings when the water was ‘like glass’, hardly a ripple, as you woke never knowing exactly which way you would be facing this way....

or this....

Both delightful.  The hills are lovely.

After a couple of days lounging in the cockpit, watching the upholstering of the new seat and the passing parade of boats with their music and waving, it was time to venture on to the island for a look about.  This meant the 15 minute ride in the dinghy and, of course, then getting out at the other end – quite an exercise as although Matt took me to the lower dock it could be quite high depending on the tide and then difficult getting to a standing position on the dock without anything to hold onto.   Karen was soon helpful getting a chair from the nearby bar.

Outside the Marina the area is old and quite decrepit with small businesses run from some of the houses that border the narrow streets.  It was a long walk to the Shops so I only went half way and then waited at the Marina in the shade for them, enjoying the atmosphere and the views.  People were all so friendly.

 Barkita Café where we had morning tea was much decorated awaiting Valentine’s Day, a very special occasion in the U.S.  On the day itself the place was full of people and cars with every restaurant booked out; lots of music and dancing in the street.

Matt’s next project was the putting together and erecting of his Wind Generator, with Karen’s help, and involving hard and dangerous work climbing all over the boat.   It took a few days to get the gen working to his satisfaction and putting in the required amps before we sailed off to Cajo de Muertos for a couple of nights stay.  I looked forward to this with some trepidation and excitement.  After all, why else would you have a holiday on a catarmaran in the Carribean?  To go sailing!

Cajo de Muertos, Island of the Dead aka Coffin Island, so called because a pirate buried his wife who died at sea in a copper and glass coffin here, is a beautiful quite remote island amid clear violet seas. With small white beaches along it’s coast line it is a great place to go for a swim.  .

At night the lights of Ponce and Santa Isobel in the distance were like fairyland.  There was the required Lighthouse on the top of the hill and of course we photographed it from every angle at different hours.  The sunset was beautiful.

We motored back and that was fun.  At the entrance to Salinas Bay was this boat.

After this adventure Matt organized a hire car for a couple of days to see the country.  So we headed off west towards Ponce, passing through the small towns on the way with unbelievably narrow streets full of cars and colourful buildings.  I couldn’t help photographing them.  Ponce is the second largest town on the island and is known as ‘Perla del Sur’ or ‘Pearl of the Sea’. We had a great time here, walking in the Town Square, visiting the Cathedral of Our Lady of Gaudalupe and the red & black Fire Station which are situated back to back, and then taking a very informative and interesting bus tour of the town which included the Fire Houses and the Castille Serelle’s.

From Ponce we proceeded further west through Yauco with the very colourful houses on the hill, to Bougueron and the largest beach on PR where we finished the day with dinner in a restaurant on the water, watching the sunset.

Next day we headed north, through the town of Salinas and all the beautiful hills and mountains to Adjuntas, and then through the rain forest to the town of Arecibo in the north before visiting the largest telescope in the world at the Arecibo Observatory and Research Station.  It was really very well worth the walk up 500 stairs.

Wendy & Graham of ‘Bravo 2’ invited us to celebrate with them and Fred of ‘Mary C’ on Fred’s mono hull on the Saturday evening as it was Wendy’s & Fred’s birthdays about that time.  Well, it was about the only real rain we had the whole time but we set out in jackets and poncho (for me) and had a very enjoyable evening with them and Janette and Bill, all of them cruisers who have done very interesting things in their lives 

After playing Mexican Train Dominoes on Sunday afternoon dinner was at Chaka’s a local restaurant with local food.  I enjoyed Marlin with tamarind sauce with vegies including plaintain which is very popular in these parts.  

Our next adventure was to Old San Juan, a fortress city on the north coast.  It was pleasant weather made for walking, through the Market de Colon to Puerta de San Juan (San Juan Gate) and along the outside of the Old Wall of San Cristobel Fortress with views of the Atlantic Ocean and El Morro Fortress.  

A hungry iguanna beside the path.

On the way there was so much to see, so many colourful buildings to photograph.

Soon we came to the Cathedral and the Old Carmelite Convent which is now a 150 bed 5-star hotel.  It was 11 a.m. and hot by now and just the time for ‘a nice cold beer’ and coffee for Karen.  Lunch was at a French Restaurant, “St. Germain” before we went to the Plaza of San Jose’ and onto the Boulevard where we caught a trolley bus for a trip around the town.  It was a great day but time to be heading back to Salinas, visiting San Juan City and Plaza Las Americas to buy a set of Mexican Train Dominoes for home.

Next afternoon Matt took us in ‘Debbie’ to Heraldo’s Island and then around the Cajo de Mata looking for Salinas Beach to no avail.  Matt loves his dinghy even though it got a bit rough as we approached the breakers and then really shallow as we came back in to the mainland.  It was fun but I was quite happy when we were back in familiar waters.

Saturday we were on our way again to the North East through Carolina to El Portal Tropical Rain Forest Centre where we stopped to explore and have coffee and cake.  It is an amazing Centre surrounded by lush growth of all kinds of plants, many we have in our own gardens in Australia but not so lush.

     

It was raining as we proceeded south through the very winding road of El Yungua Rain Forest to see the waterfalls.

       

    

Then on to the Tower which was built very long ago by the Indians and only completed in 1964 as a tourist lookout.  It was misty but cleared as we walked the 100 steps to the top to take some photographs of the amazing views.

      

It was hard driving for Matt in the rain and mist but we eventually returned to the highway and headed to Fajardo in search of lunch.  We didn’t find lunch but saw the most beautiful beach on PR with orange sand and a surf carnival on the go.

Finally found lunch in Paradise Seafood Restaurant at Naquabo Plaza at 3p.m.  – we all ate groper.  It was a very long drive home and Matt especially was very tired but it was a wonderful day.

Rest day for us next day but many fishing boats and kayaks out for the day.

Almost the end of my holiday and Karen and I are off to ‘the waterhole’ with Kris to try some snorkeling – never done this before.

Between all these highlights we had plenty of time to relax, play dominos and trips into Louis’ and Nancy’s bar which was connected to the internet.

It was so peaceful on the boat I enjoyed every minute but for me the highlight of it all was being together sharing this special time on ‘Where II’ in the Caribbean in 2010. 

       

          

“Thank you Matt & Karen”