We arrived in Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic on 23 January---having chosen a mild spell of weather for the Mona Channel, the passage was largely under engine. We were moored up at Marina Pescaderia in Puerto Real by 0900. A well organised marina with adequate facilities and great staff. Took on 350 litres of diesel on the way in.

The following day we hired a car and spent the day in Ponce old town---nice enough but a bit run down and sad looking. A lot of earthquake damage from a few years ago not yet repaired. Returned via Boqueron for a sundowner—a lively place.

We left the marina on the 28^th at 0400 hrs to use the night-time lee, and motored 30 miles to anchor off Gilligan’s Island---nice quiet anchorage with glue like holding. And a repeat performance early on the morning of 29^th some 32 miles motoring to Salinas---busy anchorage with lot of weekend party boats so we will shortly move 3 miles round the corner!

Salinas is near the south-east corner of Puerto Rico—a good place to start our passage to St. Maarten tomorrow.

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