We crossed the Mona Passage on Sunday and Monday and had a pretty good experience for the most part. We saw whales jumping clear out of the water and many many water spouts. What a sight! Once we were out a bit from shore the seas were about 8 feet when we left but with a long interval so we were comfortable. The wind was to close to our bow so we had to motor sail. When we rounded the hourglass shoal we had some pretty rough seas for a bit but then were able to sail for several hours. The real fun started when the wind died and we decided to motor again. We were having some trouble with the engine and thought the transmission was shot, the dollar signs were floating in the air. The engine would rev up for no reason and realized it wasn't the transmission but after a little more work Steve thought it might be the throttle. We sailed until there was no wind at all and then the engine wouldn't start. Steve changed the fuel filter and realized we had contaminated fuel. We were able to motor slowly for a bit and then sailed for hours at a mere 1.5 knots, thankfully the seas were flat. Let me tell you how much fun it is to clean a fuel tank! We removed the fuel and scraped out the gunk, we were glad we only had 10 gallons in the tank!

2-3 We are in Boqueron, a very nice harbor with a beautiful beach. It is a college hang out on weekends but now it is quiet. Met some neighbors that had rented a car so we had a tourist day and did some sightseeing.

2-10 After a week in Boqueron we left for La Parguera and points east. La Parguera is a cute little town that has houses very low right over the water and with boats tied up in little car ports next to the house. From there we sailed to Cayo Caracoles, called Gilligan's Island by the locals. This is a national park and was very enjoyable.
2-12 We set out of for Ponce, the second biggest city on Puerto Rico. The anchorage was right between the Ponce Yacht Club and La Guancha ( a boardwalk area). We took a taxi to the Walmart to restock on several items and purchased groceries. The boardwalk has lots of music with food and beverage kiosks and the party gets going around 10 pm. After sleeping with ear plugs for a few nights we moved on to Caja de Muertos just a few miles away. Ferries run here from Ponce boardwalk and we arrived at the end of a busy weekend. This island is also a park and we climbed to the old spanish lighthouse at the top. We swam on the lovely beach and met two other sailboats, one we had first met in the Bahamas. Reluctantly we pulled the anchor making our way further east.
2-17 In Salinas we got the bikes of the boat and explored the area. Like most of Puerto Rico, we found it friendly and interesting. The jib had some stitching coming out so we had that repaired at the sailmaker right outside the anchorage. After two nights we set off for Puerto Patillas and anchored off the little town with one other sailboat that was there when we arrived. We are anxious to get to Culebra and are now within a couple days sail.
2-19 Today we are anchored in the harbor town of Playa de Naguabo. We look up to see the only rain forest in US territory. Every thing is so green and lush and the houses are adorable. There is a stalled front just north of the Virgin Islands and high seas are expecteds so we will be here a few days. Cayo Santiago, an island just 2 miles from Naguabo has great snorkeling and the island is a monkey habitat. We spend one very enjoyable night here and set sail at 5AM for Culebra.
For me San Juan has always been a place I changed planes on my way to a some tropical Caribbean island. After spending a few weeks on the south coast I realize that this island should be a destination not just a stopping over point. Beautiful beached, lush rain forest and sightseeing combine with great restaurants, shopping and very friendly people. San Juan is much more ecomomical to fly into as well. We will be back!