Arrived in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico at 2:30 am after a 37 hour crossing.  The highlight of the trip was seeing a humpback whale just after we left the Samana Bay.

Our trip was wonderful for most of the time as we were able to sail.  Only on Friday did we lose our wind and had to motor in seas that were uncomfortable.  But it is the last long passage between ports we have to make for a long time.  This is Will's account of the crossing.....

"We were able to sail on a close reach in 12 knot breeze for the first 14 hours, although we were forced Northeast by the wind and current. Then we motorsailed with main for about the next 12 hours, when the wind died, leaving us motoring--and rolling--in the swell left by the wind. The wind picked up enough to use the main to stabilize the boat for the last half day motorsailing Southeast to Mayaguez, dropping anchor in the wee hours of the second night out."

Mayaguez is a large city with many universities, a professional baseball stadium, lots of street vendors, horses, and friendly people.  We found a great grocery store and stopped at one of the food vendors on our first day in town.

Our second day in town took us to a dingy dock that looked private, but we thought we would give it a try.  We asked politely if we could leave our dingy. Of course, no one spoke English, but we were assured it was okay to leave it there.  We took a cab to the Mayaguez mall and renewed our AT&T sim card for the iPad and then shopped at a Spanish Wal Mart.  That was too much for both of us. A

cab ride back to our little private bar and we ordered a beer.  Rooster, the manager, bought the beers for us and has now become our best friend in Puerto Rico.  He feed us chips and soup and made us feel so welcome.  Many of the other locals hanging out bought us beers also.  We left in our dingy having paid not one dime for anything to eat or drink, and not one cent for the dingy landing.

Our third day was another trip to the grocery store and back to our favorite watering hole.  We gave Rooster one of the only eggcups I had on board the boat.  It was pink with a rooster on it.  After drinking more beers at no charge again, we said goodbye to our new friends and headed back to the boat.  About 7:30 we heard an engine and sure enough we had visitors.  Rooster and Luis wanted to give us a plague that was a fishing award.  Rooster wanted us to have it to remember him by.  We will never forget him and promised to return again some day

Fond memories of these people and their city!