02/14/2012 VALENTINE DAY EXPLORING ENSENADA AND GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

02/14/2012 ENSENADA AND GILLIGANS ISLAND

GUANICA (GWAH-knee-kah), PUERTO RICO

TUESDAY

0 NM TRAVELED

ANCHORED EAST OF GUANICA BY GILLIGAN’S ISLAND

SUNRISE: 6:56 AM

SUNSET: 6:29 PM

Since we were staying put in our anchorage today we spent the time exploring the area. First of all, Dan spent a couple of hours on the con- searching for some fish but returned empty handed. He was a still a happy camper after bobbing around, casting to his heart’s content.

THE FISHING GOD DOTH RETURN

Guanica, in the bay just west of our anchorage, is home to a huge, old fertilizer facility that dominates the eastern part of its bay. Just a tad further west is Ensenada, once a thriving sugar mill town. We tied up con-Quest to a little dock right by the police building after and, after being challenged by the resident iguana, climbed ashore to see what we could see.

THE HUGE FERTILIZER FACILITY IN THE GUANICA BAY

ENSENADA'S CANE DAYS ARE LONG GONE BUT REMNANTS REMAIN

IGUANA WITH A TAIL WITH ATTITUDE

In Ensenada we found swarms of school kids off for lunch, a pet store, a hardware shop, a couple of small shops, cafes and an impressive sports field.

Even though we had to walk the con- the last bit over the shallows, we finally made it to Gilligan’s Island. The white sand beaches, mangroves and clear water paths with lazy flowing currents attract lots of visitors. The ferry, basically a shallow draft pontoon boat, shuttles people from the shores of Guanica all day. This state park makes a perfect afternoon getaway.

ONE OF THE MANY LITTLE BEACHES ON GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

Trying to avoid the approaching rain, we hustled back to Quest just ahead of a major down pour. We contented ourselves with some reading, a few rounds of Yahtzee (Dan ruled) and the movie of the night, Crank. I have no idea where we acquired this DVD but don’t bother putting it on your list of movies to see. Rubbish!!

02/12/2012 ZIPPING AROUND IN OUR CON-QUEST


BOQUERON, PUERTO RICO

SUNDAY

O NM TRAVELED

DOCKED AT CLUB NAUTICO DE BOQUERON, PUERTO RICO $4.38/FT OVERALL WITH POWER AND WATER

SUNRISE: 6:58 AM

SUNSET: 6:28 PM

It was a beautiful morning for a little exploring. Off in our little con-Quest and heading north we found Puerto Real in the next bay up. Dan Q wanted the marina’s Don Q Rum flag! In the bay we found evidence of both the old and new in the old, derelict boat and the modern communications tower. After passing by the old shore houses we ducked into the mangrove channel for a quick “look-see”.

DAN WANTED THE DON Q FLAG FOR OUR QUEST

DERELECT BOAT AND MODERN COMMUNICATIONS TOWER

WATERSIDE HOMES

We ventured further north along the coast, almost to Mayaguez, before turning back. South of Boquerón we discovered the State Park and Beach at El Combate were busy with weekend campers and day-trippers. The lovely bay between Punta Aguila and the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse was home to a charming resort and we imagined staying there.

CABO ROJO LIGHTHOUSE FROM con-QUEST

INVITING RESORT

Back in the Boquerón Bay we checked out the superb hurricane hole, a place to seek some form of security and protection during a raging storm. We planned that our spot would be right in front of the police and US Border Patrol’s hardy dock.

Back in town for Wi-Fi, yummy fish bites and cerveza we found that the bike crowd had descended upon little Boquerón. Everyone co-exists quite nicely here. The boaters, the locals, the tourists, the old, the young and the bikers all take their time to enjoy the novelty of this little getaway.

BIKES LINE THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE POOL HALL AND BAR

Our new friends from the marina, Roberto and Mayra on Descanso, joined us on Quest for cocktails and chat. They brought some homemade Sangria that was mighty fine and you may want to give it a try.

Boquerón Sangria


  1. 1 ½ L Burgundy Wine

  2. 6-8 oz Bacardi 151

  3. 6-8 oz Don Q (or other white rum)

  4. 6-8 oz Vodka

  5. 6-8 oz Triple Sec

  6. 3 cans Puerto Rican La Famosa fruit punch

  7. 2 oz lime juice

  8. 1 cup sugar

  9. 1 can sprite or 7-Up

 10. 24 oz Orange juice

Mix all together and serve over ice. Salud!

02/11/2012 A YACHT CLUB'S INAGURAL BOAT PARADE AND PARTY

02/11/2012 BOQUERON, PUERTO RICO

SATURDAY

O NM TRAVELED

DOCKED AT CLUB NAUTICO DE BOQUERON, PUERTO RICO $1.38/FT OVERALL WITH POWER AND WATER

SUNRISE: 6:58 AM

SUNSET: 6:28 PM

Ah, a good and full night’s sleep after completing an all-nighter is a good thing!

Ok, so we couldn’t get the marina’s free Wi-Fi to accept our sign on and our Verizon card won’t work. After spending quite some time with the Verizon World desk we did get our phones to send and receive emails so I guess that is progress. Our mission for usable Wi-Fi for the PC took us to town and, at the third establishment, we hit the jackpot!!!! Galloway’s WI-FI not only let us on but quickly loaded the photos for the blog. Oh, and our shared lunch of Mofongo (a dish made with plantains, garlic, chicharrones, chunks of fish and lots of cheese) was dynamite too. Dan was able to add a new beer to his list, the Puerto Rican Medalla. It appears that we will be patronizing this establishment everyday of our stay here in Boquerón. A local fisherman brought in his “catch of the day”, an 8 lb. spiny lobster!

A DISH OF MOFONGO AND THE PUERTO RICAN MEDALLA

AND THIS, FOLKS, IS WHAT AN 8 LB. SPINY LOBSTER LOOKS LIKE!

This afternoon was the boat parade for the yacht club. Next year's commodore led the flotilla to a spot by the beach where he stopped and saluted each of the many passing boats in his fleet. Roberto, who welcomed us and assisted with our lines when we arrived here in Boquerón, invited us to join them at the night’s inauguration party and we jumped at the opportunity. Once the business end of the meeting was over, Roberto ushered us into the gaily decorated room and seated us at his table. There was lasagna for dinner, canned music embellished by some live singers with their array of drums and beautiful sensual dancing by all. From the minute the first song began, the floor was full of couples of all ages. What a fun way for us to spend the evening!

THE BOATS ARE ALL DECKED OUT WITH FLAGS

WELCOMING THE COMMODORE ONTO THE LEAD BOAT

ROBERTO'S BOAT



THE BOATS LEADING OUT FOR THE PARADE




AND MORE BOATS FALL IN LINE




THE SKY AWARDED THE YACHT CLUB WITH THIS
SPECTACULAR RAINBOW