Visit with Emily, December 25, 2016 to January 8

December 25...Emily arrived on time, in fact ten minutes early and I thought she was in first class, first row, as she was first off the plane. Drove to Palmas with no problem and had a wonderful Christmas dinner, cooked by me. A couple of predinner drinks, a bottle of wine and a visit to Dave's boat completed Christmas day.
Spent the 26th relaxing, at the pool, dinner on board and made plans for the next days.
December 27...A drive to SanJuan to West Marine and Best Buy for boxing day sale items but none to be had, then to the Arecibo radiotelescope. A stop for pizza at Ebenezers and we could have had a workout as well but all the equipment was gone. The radiotelescope was well worth the visit. Amazing! Hard to imagine that being built in the late '50's, then off to our deluxe hotel.....mmmmm.....passable and a quick visit to the last lighthouse built by the Spanish. Again quite lovely, well maintained. A tour through downtown Arecibo  and then a restaurant. Unfortunately, the wait for dinner quite lengthy, Peter's food not so good, Emily's okay, mine was excellent. TV at night, watched James Taylor being honoured.

December 27...McDonald's for breakfast, we knew what we were getting, then off to the Rio Camuy Caves. A long long wait for tickets and also to get down to the caves. We had already been but wanted to show Emily. Again a worthwhile tourist destination. Two o'clock and ready for a quick lunch...Subway...and then off to Casa Bacardi.
Well, we made it to the Barcardi tour! Interesting. Did you know they started out in Cuba, were nationalized in 1960, head office is in Bermuda and they have distilleries in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and ?....too much Bacardi, I guess.
Going back now.....tomorrow to deal with our new rigging.

January 1, 2017...Happy new year all!

Mast is back up, rigging looks good. Just a few minor checks to do. The guys worked like dogs to get it completed. Think they left about 8 pm or so. We were supposed to leave for Culebra the next morning but decided since the electric winch was defunct that we would postpone. There was a weather window but later in the afternoon the wind came up, rained cats and dogs so I was pretty glad we weren't out there testing the new rigging. 

We spent the afternoon at the pool, cocktails of course and then a predicted drink at the Tiki Bar. Off to Chez Daniel for dinner, excellent, then off to the Tiki Bar to join some people to bring in the new year.  Lots of fireworks, glad we were able to stay awake and actually feeling good this morning.

Plans so far up in the air!

January 5...Well, here we are in Esperanza, Viequese. Not on Mistress but on Lisa Marie, a power boat, 49 feet. Dave asked whether we wanted to go so here we are for one night. Gorgeous day. We were going to go to Culebra yesterday but apparently line for ferry was long long long. It has to do with Three Kings Day, a holiday akin to Christmas, celebrated in Puerto Rico. Will be back in marina tomorrow evening, hopefully winch will be fixed, will be able to test sails and then may be off late next week! We did try to book flights to Culebra but no go. Everything booked up!

January 6...Sunset last night.  Decided to stay an extra day and try for the Biobay luminescent bay. Going tonight. It was a good idea. Gorgeous day at the anchorage in Esperanza.

Well, we did the bay and a touch disappointing. But now we can say we have done it. Dinner at Bananas two nights, excellent and drinks were as well.

January 7...Off in the morning back to Palmas, only two hours. Visit to Esperanza exceeded expectations. Goes to show you have to try this at least twice, especially if disappointed first time. Perhaps that goes for the bay as well.

January 8...Emily off today and we planned a visit to San Juan. Found the bus station, right!, we were in a dedicated bus lane for a bit, reminding me of Peter and riding the streetcar tracks wrong way in Toronto.

Found the free trolley, rode as far as the fort, then got off and walked down through old San Juan. Found an excellent rooftop restaurant at Hotel Milan, Punta De Vista, offering mojhitos, two for one, excellent Mahi bites, and fish and steak tacos. Friendly waiters as well. 

On way to airport, stopped off at presidents and took some good photos. Sad to see Emily go. A good time was had for the two weeks.

Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico

Flight from Toronto was uneventful except for long line up for baggage ticket. Somehow something went wrong in that many flights to the US from our destination were unable to print baggage tickets either from home or at the airport. Arrived in San Juan to rain and apparently had been raining for a week.  Wydham Hotel in Palmas fine and close to the boatyard.
Visited yard on Monday and began to work even though I was going to spend the first morning  by the pool. Had to keep busy plus it was overcast and not especially nice. Began the work of cleaning  interior while Peter did various jobs to get boat into the water. Worked till 2 pm or so, then visited Walmart for some necessities.
On Wednesday, the 23rd we were ready to launch. Launch went well and we got our slip 37 at the marina. A little far to walk to the main office but if we want, golf carts are available. We were fortunate, weatherman was calling for rain but the rain held until the evening.
Thursday, Thanksgiving, everything was closed, so of course more work, then time at the pool while laundry was being done. Again weather was good until the evening when it rained.
Teak has been cleaned of mold, main salon cushions have been vacuumed, heads connected, v berth ready, all cupboards clean and washed, flag flying, propane connected, batteries checked, fan belt changed, hose clamps behind batteries changed and checked, impeller replaced and I am sure there is more but who can remember.
Now all we have to do is unload the suitcases which are still in the car!
Why do we need them? Oh, yes, parts!

Sunday, Nov. 27...We have been  here almost one week. Mornings are spent cleaning, looking for things as the wind generator blades which took up part of the morning yesterday. It gave us the opportunity to clean out various areas of  the boat. Can't believe amount of bags leaving us. Finally did find blades, now just have to install.

Afternoons spent shopping for new pillows, drink glasses, more provisions,  etc.

Other day at Home Depot, looked down and felt a tiny bitty ant bite me with a wallop of a sting. Next day woke up to a red mark which was three or more times especially the size of the ant!

Wednesday, November 30...Oh boy,where did Monday and Tuesday go? As you can see from the latest photo progress is being made. Left to do...head sail up and clean out dinghy...more mold....then motor on. Peter spent today replacing furling line which should have been easy but everything seems to have its challenges.

Laundry for me again...All the storage sheets covering the dodger and bimini...of course a challenge....the first load didn't empty of water so had to retry. Always something. Luckily the laundry here is close to the pool so was able to make good use of that.

In the afternoon another trip to find Ryder Hospital so I could get my shots. Another challenge....GPS kept taking us to the hospital that we went to on Monday....only 40 or so minutes away. This time we knew better! After driving around in circles in Humacao, we finally stopped at a gas station. No one spoke English and one kindly soul said to follow him.  We did so, it was easy and he was quite surprised to get a ten dollar bonus for his effort. Made the appointment with the doctor...she was English speaking so feeling pretty confident.  Stopped off at Walmart and Capri and final stop Ralphs. Got lost getting back...how could that be.....but signs just sort of ended!

Sunday, December 4...After a drive to Fajardo the other day in driving rain to get out of the marina and work for a bit, today we decided on a different outing.  Gorgeous day, hot again, actually too hot for working although we did put out the v berth mattress and dried and cleaned it. We decided a drive to the south on the east shore was in order. Gorgeous views, one of Palmas del Mar from the road, a stop at a restaurant, good local food, some of which we brought back, some sights that we would not see at home, a flooded road, and then as we left the restaurant, lots of Porsches and Mitsubishi with colourful wheels. And then of course our Yaris with the squeaky brakes! The view from the restaurant is incredibly scenic! All in all a good day.

December 7...Yikes. What have we been doing? Mistress looks better than ever! Lots of time spent on her. Teaking all done, polishing of the cockpit, etc., fairy lights up, outside table looks good as new, sanded and teaked today, ray marine guys came today, rigger came today and will be back on Friday. And the list continues. Tomorrow off to Fajardo, shopping, West Marine, Ralphs for barbecue tomorrow evening. Wow, does it never end? Anxious at this point to get moving. Nice to be in marina but ready for additional action!

Well, apparently there was an earthquake about 16 miles from here on Monday. A 4.5. Since no one asked if we were okay, guess it wasn't reported. The more serious one is today in Hawaii.

December  11...We are practically ready to go. Just waiting to see the rigger again on Monday and decide on the radar. Plan to go into San Juan today for a few things at West Marine. Couple of lights are burned out and can't seem to find a replacement so will have a look at a larger store. 

Nice barbecue put on by the marina the other night, tried Italian place again and even though it was air conditioned this year decided not to go again. Toronto just has too many good restaurants  and even Collingwood has Azzurra and Tesoro that we are just spoiled.

A dinghy ride yesterday around the canals, a look at the boats in the marina and a view to the outside channel.

Will take a practice run today to see if we can find the hospital where I have to go at 8 a.m. Wednesday. A challenge!

So we think we should start out at 4 a.m. on Wednesday. It certainly is a challenge to find things and road signage is very sparse.  Well, we may give it another test tomorrow. Home Depot had the exact lighting.. we searched hardware stores, two West Marines and even called Phillips for online ordering for...in case you don't know a replacement light for over navigation station and frig. How exciting is that? It's the little things that count!

December 12...Well, on installation of new bulb, the entire lighting fixture broke. At that point, I left and went to the pool amid some #@$ words. It was pretty windy and the water was churned up.

Winds last night kept us awake and had to retie the lines. Today was spent varnishing table and some of the inside teak. Keno arrived late and went up the mast to check out the rigging. Well, we have to probably wait and see until tomorrow and the radar may have to put on hold. Tomorrow is another day. Check out the pictures of Keno at the very top of the mast. I wouldn't be up there and I wouldn't even want to take any one up that high, although I think I did get Peter up there to install the mast head light. 

Winds are to be 30 knots tonight. Best have lots of wine so I can sleep! The swells in this marina can be pretty awesome!

December 16...Nothing new or exciting to report. Shot visit went fine. Eight a.m. appointment turned into something else and got back to the boat around 1 30. Won't bore you all with the details. Still waiting for rigger before noon today to measure stuff up! Went to to Costco yesterday and the day before elsewhere shopping. For someone who doesn't like to shop, Peter is doing an amazing job. Today we plan to stay here, pool it and beach bar it! Haven't been there yet so will add some pics later.

Walked 2600 steps to the beach bar and back. Mahi Mahi bites and a clubhouse sandwich plus Medalla of course. Then 2600 back again.......and the rigger promises to be here by 9 30 tomorrow!

December 22...Here I am back again because I have some news and new pictures! Waiting is over, well almost and now more waiting begins.

Last night an enjoyable evening and dinner, lobsters from the local fisherman and cooked by the chef at the Tiki Bar along with pasta and a salad.

Today up early, at 7 a.m., boat readied and taken to the yard. Mast removed, we now have a power boat, and back to the marina by 11 a.m.  It seems as if we have already put in a full days work. We will definitely be here for at least one week, maybe longer. Not too bad, nice pool and warm and sunny weather except for the heavy rains and wind that come and go.

Hi to my brother Tom, hope recovery is going well!

December  24...Merry Christmas everyone!

December  25...Took a ride yesterday around an area we hadn't been . Nothing much around just more residential. Some photos though of entrance to Palmas.