SPANISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

ISLA PALOMINO:  This is a nice place to visit.  There are short hikes and a nice beach.  Beware, on week-ends, it gets very busy.  Locals tie up their power boats, play the loudest music ever, and every boat has different music.  I'm sure nobody was talking to each other but lots of drinking was evident. 



PUERTO RICAN NAVY

VIEW FROM TOP OF ISLA PALOMINO

ENSENADA SUN BAY, VIEQUES:  Rolly anchorage, difficulty setting anchor and rainy.  We didn't stay long at all.

PUERTO MOSQUITO BIOBAY:  The Bioluminescent Bay, or Mosquito Bay, is considered the best example of a bioluminescent by in the United States and is listed as a national natural landmark, one of five in Puerto Rico.  The luminescence in the bay is caused by a micro-organism which glows whenever the water is disturbed, leaving a trail of neon blue. 

We've often seen bioluminescence while under way at night but never, ever this much of it.  In the Bay, you are not allowed to use motors but you can paddle your dinghy.  With every paddle, there was a trace of bioluminescence and you can see it at the stern of the dinghy.  We put our hands in the water and you can see the glitter on our hands.  We were in awe.  Also, when fish would swim away from our boat, they left a long trace of bioluminescence.  This place should be on everyone's bucket list.

The only downside, is that the anchorage was extremely rolly and very uncomfortable.  Tim rigged an anchor bridle to turn our bow into the swell.  This way we were able to get some sleep.  You could also try and do a tour of the Bay however, they were all booked when we called.





BIOLUMINESENCE AT MOSQUITO BAY

                                    Click here for more pictures of the bioluminescence;

https://www.google.com/search?q=mosquito+bay+bioluminescent&biw=1440&bih=775&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=

univ&sa=X&ved=0CDEQsARqFQoTCPGxs7KY78YCFQktiAodw9EIrA&dpr=1

PUERTO FERRO BAY, VIEQUES:  We did a very nice, long hike to Caracas beach along with repairing the dinghy floor.  Nice quiet area, I would recommend it.

Here's some history:  In 1941, while Europe was in the midst of WWII, the United States Navy purchased about two thirds of Vieques as an extension to the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station nearby on Puerto Rican mainland.  Much of the land was bought from the owners of large farms and sugar cane plantations, and the purchase triggered the final demise of the sugar industry.  Many agricultural workers, who had no title to the land they occupied, were evicted.  The US Navy used this area for military exercises, and as a firing range and testing ground for bombs, missiles, and other weapons.  Even after WWII, the Navy kept testing.  Protests come to a head in 1999 when a civilian employee was killed by a jet bomb.  Finally, in May 2003, the Navy withdrew from Vieques, and much of the island was designated a National Wildlife Refuge.

SAILORS CANNOT ANCHOR IN CERTAIN AREAS BECAUSE OF UNEXPLODED BOMBS

ENSENADA HONDA, CULEBRA:  From Ferro Bay, we motored to the East end of Vieques then on a beam reach to Culebra.  What a wonderful little town.  We had a great time with sailing friends on 'Slow Dancing', 'Navigator' and Phyllis.  One day, we took our bikes out and strapped our boogie boards and biked to the beach.  When the waves are good,  boogie boarding is one of my favorite things to do as I hate to just sit on a beach.




GOING BOOGIE BOARDING

STATUE MADE OF WOOD

While putting our bikes and boards back on our dinghy, someone at the Sailor's bar/restaurant was waving at us frantically.  We couldn't see who it was but decided to go and investigate.  It was Steve on s/v 'SlowFlight'.  We hadn't seen him since Georgetown, Bahamas.  What a great reunion :)  We all had dinner together along with his friends Sara & Stefan on 'Free Range' and Mark on 'Osprey' .  The next day we snorkeled at Melones reef (well worth it).

While in Puerto Rico, do not miss a Lecheron which is basically a pig roast.  Vendors roast their pigs along the side of the roads and wow, it is delicious !  I was going to post a picture of the cooked, dead pig but decided against it.

BAHIA TORTUGA, CULEBRITA:  Absolutely by far, one of my favorite uninhabited islands and beaches.  There is an easy hike to the lighthouse where the views are spectacular.  There are wild goats and deer on this island. 

We walked along the shore to the 'Jacuzzi' which is a cut in the mountain with lots of waves crash into an area causing bubbles.  Sometimes, the waves were pretty strong and there are lots of rock so we had to be careful.   We hiked across from the 'Jacuzzi' up the side of the mountain for more beautiful views and to see some type of cactus that has a red top with miniscule pink flowers.




VIEW FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE



THE JACUZZI ON THE RIGHT



TIM GETTING PUSHED BY THE WAVES IN THE JACUZZI



THE WATER COMES FROM THE OCEAN INTO THE JACUZZI

ON THE HILL ACROSS FROM THE JACUZZI



Alpenglow anchored in Culebrita.  To the right is the cut where the Jacuzzi is