CURRENT LOCATION: Anchored in Ensenada Honda, off the town of Dewey, on the island of Culebra, Puerto Rico
18 18.245' N, 065 17.867' W
Yesterday, we spent the morning at the bakery trying to get internet access and finally gave up around noontime. The only WiFi provider on the island was having technical difficulties. No problem, we have lots more to explore on this island anyway. And with a beautiful sunny day already in progress, there was no time like the present to go and find the beach.
We departed the bakery and returned to the big boat to obtain swimsuits and sunscreen. Our destination: Flamenco Beach. It was a 2.5-mile walk from Dewey to the beach, but well worth the effort. In fact, the walk, too, was quite enjoyable.
We passed the airport, a short strip of concrete, where relatively tiny aircraft can land and take off. As we were standing along the fence at the end of the runway, wondering if the planes actually approach through the valley between the two green hills, along comes a small two-prop plane flying along the gorge toward the landing strip. It buzzed so close overhead that I think I could have touched the landing gear if I held a boat hook over my head.
After the airport, the road went uphill and at the top we got our first look at Flamenco Beach. It was a perfect crescent-shaped beach with the requisite multi-hued blue water filling the giant horseshoe of white sand. As we walked down the hill and stepped foot onto the beach, the sand was so incredibly soft it was hard to believe. The view was like one of the Travel Channel shows which highlight the World's Most Beautiful Beaches.
One side of the beach is fringed with a spartan but lovely campground. It offered tent camping only, but immediate access to the beach. We walked that stretch first, and found a couple of rusted-out tanks along that end of the beach (thanks to you, Bud - personal note to one reader in particular-).
As we continued around the horseshoe, we came upon a couple with two golden retrievers. Sheryl is definitely a dog person, and I don't mind the critters myself, so we stopped to pet the pooches. The greeting of the dogs led to the meeting of the owners, Rudy & Bel. They are a nice couple out on Culebra enjoying a holiday from the big island of Puerto Rico.
Sometimes when you meet new people, something just seems to 'click.' With Rudy & Bella, the click occurred early on and we spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting with them on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. By the time the sun was setting, it was time to seek dinner but we did not want to part company with these fine people just yet.
Rudy & Bella had planned to try a restaurant on the island which we never would have found on our own. We decided to tag along for dinner. Although the prices put a big dent in the cruising kitty, a wonderful meal was enjoyed, libations flowed, and the conversation was both engaging and memorable.
We returned to the boat close to the midnight hour, a time we rarely see unless we are underway. It was a great day where we were able to play 'tourist' for a while. Too bad all days cannot be just like that.
Today we finally got access to the internet. At long last, we were able to respond to e-mail and post blogs. In addition, our first pair of soon-to-be guests here in Culebra have offered to transport a few items for us in their luggage. That means selective internet shopping needs to be completed soon.
After I posted blogs, I turned the computer over to Sheryl. The connection is somewhat slow, but it does work from the boat (our first boat-based internet access since Luperon). While Sheryl plodded through research and purchasing, I went topside and worked on cleaning the salt from the boat. If you saw the lead photo on the previous blog entry, dear Reader, you know why I needed to take action to de-saltify the boat.
Cleaning and internet work had reached a point of completion, for the time being, by early afternoon and we went to town. After running just a few errands, we stopped at a much more down-scale joint and had a drink and a snack of tostones (plantains which are mashed and twice fried). The total bill was one-tenth of last night's bill, much more in keeping with our prudent lifestyle.
We found our main sustenance aboard, with a dinner of beans and rice. A little bit more internet time rounded out the day. We are both settling in here very nicely. It may take a while for us to even consider departing Culebra.