8:00 am: G had spotted a breakfast place down by the harbor that boasted coffee, eggs, ham and toast for $3.00. Since this was more food than what we were getting at the hotel (icky $9.50 breakfast of so-called "croissants" and "fruit salad") we hit it bright and early.
8:30 am: drove 10 minutes to the over harbor which was home to our chartered boat of the day: the Erin Go Braugh (not so Latin...).
8:45 am: arrived 45 minutes early, so slathered on the sun screen
The marina was full of large, expensive boats with catchy names. We caught our first look of Captain Bill, who looked just like you'd expect a boat Captain to look like: crazy white hair and long white beard, both yellowing, sun/age spots, leathery skin. He was only missing a pipe and a parrot.
9:45 am: a 5 person family arrives-- a husband and wife and their 3 young children. The husband eyed us and told Captain Bill he thought they had booked the boat "exclusively" and when told they hadn't, muttered "that's disappointing." G and I looked at each other and thought it would be a looong day on the boat with this family.
10:00 am: The husband sucks it up and puts on a happy face and introduces us to his family. Turns out they are from New York (ah ha!). Captain Bill is originally from New Hampshire, which shows that even when you go on vacation, you are never far from home. The sails unfurled, we set off.
10 am-1 pm: I don't feel seasick at all (except when G steers) and we enjoy homemade salsa and swimming and snorkeling off a small private island. Captain Bill bbq's lunch and the family offers us a bottle of wine. Life is good and very relaxing.
2 pm: the skies begin to darken and the wind picks up. The boat is rolling and I'm worried about my lunch. Captain Bill tells us this wasn't predicted...and as the storm gets worse (rain is now pelting down) he tells us he hasn't sailed in weather like this for a very long time.
2:30-5:00 pm: the storm wanes a bit as we head back to port. I clutch the side of the boat and huddle under my towel.
5:00 pm: Captain Bill advises us on some local restaurants and we head out, making use of our land legs once again.
7:00 pm: Eat at Rosie's Seafood. The restaurant is nearly empty and the staff is all sitting around the back. But we get excellent service and the food is affordable and delightful. Another evening passes and we hit the sack early.
Tuesday morning, 7 am:
Careless packing and dressing in layers for our return to Boston.
9:00 am-- drive to San Juan to check out the old city before our flight.
10-11 am-- having overlooked the part about impossible parking in Old San Juan in our guidebook, drive up and down the streets only, enjoying the old architecture, beautiful colors and amazing scenic views over the water.
Afternoon: leave Puerto Rico. It's raining so we don't feel bad. And it's a balmy 47 when we arrive in Boston! There's still ice on the ground, but we feel rejuvenated.
No comments:
Post a Comment