San Juan - Puerto Rico

The following morning we upped anchor and headed to San Juan, Puerto Rico. It took about 6 hours of motor sailing as there wasn't much wind. 

On the way there we saw a big fleet of oppies, clearly in a regatta. Next thing, on the radio we hear someone saying there is a regatta happening, please keep clear. Obviously meant for us! We had been watching them for a while and we made sure we wouldn't be in the way.

Oppie Regatta

Last place! Trying so hard to catch up!

Can you see the number in the clouds?

San Juan skyline

Important looking building

Old Town

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Ferry dock at the entrance

The entrance to San Juan Harbour passes the old town and the bay looks huge. But the area that we needed to anchor in was quite narrow with a cruise/ferry terminal on one side and space for barges on the other. The mooring field was to the right of the barges. At the top end is a marina where the big fancy motor yachts and super yachts reside. When we arrived and motored through the mooring field, we couldn't find a spot to drop anchor without being too close to other boats. 

Barge, far too close

It is nerve wracking coming into a new mooring field or anchorage. At first they look so full and finding a spot seems impossible. It is even worse when someone anchored at the back waves and then says, "Good luck finding a spot!"

Barge

We ended up anchoring too close to the barge and Andrew was up during the night to make sure he wasn't going to hit us. We were also very close to a mooring ball which wasn't in use. The following day a fishing boat arrived and was put on the mooring ball, far too close for comfort! There is also a "channel" which is unmarked but clearly used by the big super yachts. Needless to say, we moved further in the following day.

Time to move

Super yacht passing us in the unmarked channel

Once again, Andrew, wanting to do the right thing, phoned customs to ask when we could come and check in, bearing in mind that the Spanish Virgin Islands is a municipality of Puerto Rico. A ferry had just docked to we were told to wait a few hours. 

Overnight ferry to Dominican Republic

Nobody seemed to know what to do with us. Eventually they said that we had to pay $37 again, and when we were leaving we had to go back to the office and check out. 

Walking to Customs past the airport

The first thing we had to do was refill our gas bottle. We cook everything on either the gas stove in the galley or on the braai, which is on the port rail. We have two gas bottles but it would be a disaster if we ran out of gas. Andrew phoned the gas place to ensure they could fill our bottles and prevent a wasted trip. They assured him that they could. He returned a few hours later with a full bottle!

Determined to see more of this town than the last one, we decided to be tourists for the day. We hailed an Uber to take us to the Old Town. The Uber drivers were all friendly and helpful, even if their English was limited.

Modern and old collide

Seaside plot

No view, just smelly!

Big Bay

We did stop for a drink this time. $3 plus tax for a beer.

Some of the buildings were really beautiful, and then you have the run down, derelict ones in between.

Found a quiet street!

We walked for miles looking for the Capitol of Puerto Rico with the statues of the American presidents who had visited the country during their tenure as US President. Apparently they are life-size. Barack Obama is a tall man!

Capitol of Puerto Rico

Had enough walking

Barack Obama

On most of the islands we have visited we have seen what look like stray dogs roaming the streets. Laura noticed that there weren't any that we could see on this island. We did find a few cats, though.

Exercise done for the day

The highways are wide and busy. We had to cross over one to get to the nearby supermarket. On the way back we found an intricate route that took us under bridges which prevented any dangerous highway crossings!

Walking to the supermarket

Supermarket

The supermarket was well stocked with plenty of fresh produce. We didn't need a lot, although Andrew looks burdened with the heavy load of beer, cheese, and we always need eggs!

Heavy shopping

Nearly there

Feeling surrounded

Youth sailing seemed to be flourishing here. We often had oppies heading out in the late afternoon and returning in the evening. Some sailed back themselves, others were towed by a dinghy.

Oppie sailing

The next leg was going to be a two day sail to the Dominican Republic. There was some bad weather in the forecast and we wanted to be tucked in somewhere safe. Overnight passages means that I need to prepare food before leaving. I generally make a one pot meal for supper and boil some eggs for breakfast.

Passage meal

Virgin Cruise Liner

We upped anchor in the early hours and followed our track out the harbour. 

Early morning lights

Fort in the morning light

Sunrise leaving PR

In the next post, read about our long trip to the Dominican Republic and the joys of being a tourist in a foreign country.