We arrived in Puerto Rico about 44 hours after we left Luperon, DR.  We were traveling with NonLinear and Cheetah II.  The wind was E to SE so was pretty much on the nose all the way.  So we motor sailed the entire way.  The Mona Passage was relatively calm and, therefore, we had an uneventful crossing.  We passed several sailboats traveling north during the second evening. 

We entered Mayaguez and anchored near the ferry dock.  There was not a good place to land the dinghies and we had to tie up to the ferry dock.  We were the only boats checking in on Sunday.  Contrary to some countries US officials want all crew members in check in - not just the captain.  Although the cruising guides say that we are only to enter the country in ports with immigration officials, the officials told us that most of the cruisers go to Boqueron and take a taxi to Mayaquez to check in.

The next day we traveled the short distance to Boqueron, a resort town.  We spent a week in Boqueron enjoying the city.  We took a one day trip back to Mayaquez where we went to the Tropical Agricultural Research Station that was originally part of a large plantation from the 1800's.  Many species of tropical plants from all over the world are on display.  The garden is part of the University of Puerto Rico and is administered by the USDA.  In downtown Mayaquez is an elegant plaza with a statute honoring Christopher Columbus.   

We headed for Ponce on the central south coast with an overnight stop at Gilligan's Island (Cayos de Cana Gorda). In Ponce we took a slip at the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club for week to spend time exploring inland.  With Cheetah II and NonLinear we rented a car for one week.  We did a three day trip around the island.  Our first day was to drive to Fajardo on the east coast and on to the El Yunque, the Caribbean National Forest, a rain forest in the Luquillo Mountains.  There are 240 species of trees,150 species of ferns, 50 species of orchids and 137 species of land and aquatic animals.  Our trip in the forest included the LaCoca Falls along the road, and an hour hike to the La Mina Falls.  That night we stayed in a hotel near San Juan.

The next day we spent in Old San Juan.  We visited Castillo de San Felipe del Morro and took a trolley ride around the old city.  In addition to the forts there are still portions of the original wall that surrounded the city that are still intact.  The streets are very narrow and lined by beautiful structures typical of Spanish architecture and in the pastel shades found in the Caribbean.  A distinguishing item on all the Spanish homes that we noticed here and in the Dominican Republic is the front door.  Most of the doors are very ornate and made of wood and none are identical.  The streets are so narrow that the power lines are run above the rooftops.  The city has a free trolley that runs around the city.  That night we stayed in a hotel in Arecibo.

Our third day we planned to see the Radiotelescopio de Arecibo that is operated by Cornell University.  This is the largest radiotelescope in the world with a 1000 ft diameter spherical reflector.  But as luck would have it the facility would not open to visitors until 12 and we got there at 9 so we moved on to our next stop, the Parque de las Cavernas del Rio Camuy.  This a massive cavern within hugh sinkholes created by the river Camuy that runs under the cavern.  Large stalactites and stalagmites are spread throughout the cavern.  Our trip back to Ponce included a section of narrow, curvy and steep mountain roads.  We got a great sampling of the mountain roadways!

Our last day with the car we toured Ponce and again experienced the beautiful parks, fountains and Spanish architecture of the area.