'Twas the week before Christmas...

It doesn't FEEL like the week before Christmas. 30C, palm trees and pelicans.

It was a busy week but not in the way it has been for most of our friends and families. Monday was our big adventure of going into San Juan to do some shopping. The lady at car rental agency told us we wouldn't know that there was a recession happening. She was right! Plaza Las Americas was completely insane - people shopping up a storm. It was good to get back to the boat and quiet Palmas.

There was a commercial being shot in the parking lot at the marina. Squealing tires of a Mustang. The Producer and I chatted a while and he had lots of suggestions of places to eat here in PR as well as St. Barths, St. Martin AND Montreal. :-)

I started a journal for myself using up different papers, bags and labels from the last few months. Also put my handmade nutmeg paper to use finally! I've sewn it twice already and haven't been happy with it. Try and try again.

Happy Solstice. Feliz Navidad and Ano Nuevo. xo

FOUR iguanas on the dock this morning! And we saw some sort of eel in the marina too - could have been a moray. I forgot to bring my camera with me on our walk to the plaza for a coffee - gorgeous orchids and a really amazing 4 inch caterpillar. Maybe next time! Excellent cappuccino.

No Soup For You!

Despite the mush burning a little on the bottom the soup turned out delicious as usual. Very thick like baby food so quite filling. Mmmm.

And in other news... I GOT A NEW CAMERA. Big deal and I'm thrilled with it. The iguanas and pelicans haven't been cooperating but I did mange to get a shot of one of the dudes that lives near the boat.

How do you say 'Yam' in Twi?

I was in the middle of making Sue's African Yam Soup when it occured to me that I CAN take a photo. My reliable little Macbook! So here's the early stages of the soup in progress. I'm making it in honour of Scott heading off on his adventure to Ghana today.

Feliz Navidad...not quite.

Day 6 in PR. Still decompressing from November. Getting some rest but still lots to do on the boat. Had another long walk on the beach nearby - which I feel in my calves! Thankfully a breeze has come up so it isn't quite as stifling.

We had a rental car for the first two days and did some exploring. Discovered that you can't get to the El Yunque National Rainforest from here; have to approach it from the north. Found a MALL which we thoroughly investigated. :-) Also found Ralph's Food Warehouse! Wow...big and friendly. I'm already dreaming of PLAZAS LAS AMERICAS..... Biggest mall in the Caribbean. Hey, I have to buy a new camera.

So back to cleaning! There are Christmas decorations up at the marina but none aboard. Hope to have photos of our lizard friends....soon. Thanks for checking in. xo

School of Hard Knocks

When do we graduate from that school? Been a long week. After two hectic days in the BVI's we had a flat motor to Culebra. I had only been once before (with BFB) and loved it. Quaint beautiful little island 30 miles (?) east of Puerto Rico. We have friends (a couple) who usually spend their winters there & managed to make contact with her. It was a bittersweet reunion with them as he is quite ill and hardly remembers his sailing days. Then as we left after a visit there, I realized I didn't have my camera. I'd left it in the taxi van...black bag on black seat. I called the driver but he or his last fares were not honest.

That was my baby....but in an attempt to 'get over it' I am thinking about the NEW one I will get. And to add to this tragedy Michel's camera died a few days ago. What's up with that?

Palmas del Mar is lovely and it looks like a great place to spend December. Sorry...no photos. Sigh.

Quick Stop "home"

A short visit in Tortola - minor boat repairs, banking, bills, etc. Busy and not much to say. Great to catch up with folks.

St. Martin was good but looking forward to returning to really find some good shopping and dining.

Off to Culebra and Puerto Rico next.