Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico (PR) is seventies America, Burger King, McDonalds & KFC. We hadn't quite realised that it's a commonwealth of America with full US citizenship, but cannot vote for the President although they produce fine cigars. Our landfall at Fajardo to clear customs, was the Manningtree of PR. We hired a car from World Rental (who only have an office in Fajardo) to visit San Juan.

The Old Town dates back to 1520 so the Americans gained a bit of history here This designated world class historic site has been enhanced with the odd Wendy's Hard Rock Café; Ben and Jerry's-bless them-not to worry it was the night of the Superbowl

The local sports bar with eight TV's made us realise that we had actually arrived in part of America.

A short sail to Palominos a typical tropical island, white sand beaches and good snorkelling; spotted our first Stingray. The bar ashore is leased by a hotel on the mainland, unless you're a guest you cant buy a drink. So time to move on to the south coast. Patillas [ pah-TEE-yahs ] our next port of call proved to be a good anchorage. The town is unfortunately two miles inshore, typical of ports in the south. Coastal settlements developed towns inshore as

Another pit stop in Salinas, passing through a reef into a very calm lagoon, and a well protected hurricane hole. Marina facilities included a laundry which we made full use of. Ponce [PONE-say] our Western most port of call, is an industrial centre with Victorian downtown. Anchored next to the 'Boardwalk', where loud weekend gatherings keep going all night, PVC clad beauties walk up and down the Boardwalk, we just had to be spectators. As we had discovered a local cash & carry, provisioning was a must, especially as cheap wine was on offer. On opening the case we found the wine is made in PR, contains sulphites and gas. It tastes worse than it sounds all 27 litres. Also the Cider

PR has a couple of the 'Worlds Largest'; Cathedral Caverns and Radio Telescope.

The Arecibo Observatory has featured in two films 'Golden Eye' and 'Contact'. The walkway to the centre will only support one person at a time. Built in the 60's its been upgraded by the addition of a dome to focus the radio waves, and a large amount of computing power to analyse radio data.

The Camuy River carved out massive caverns, nine miles into the mountains. The Catedral Cave has the largest central gallery 400 foot long, 70 foot high; its only recently been discovered. Pictured right the River flows at normal level. During hurricane George the height rose 80 feet, to the mark still visible on the rock face.

Culebra the Eastern most Island of PR;

and forms part of the Spanish Virgins. Probably one of the best spots in PR, palm trees; pink sand; turquoise sea; and tanks. Left by the Army as it was used as a range, careful what you dig up when building sand castles. Made a change to explore the Island by bike; the slightest hill became a challenge despite having 18 gears. Challenges completed we were proud to return the bikes to Dick, who collects them in a VW Microbus modified by corrosion to accept 4 or 5 bikes.

Now time to return to St Thomas; Tony returns to the UK for a holiday.