March 2006 - More pictures from El Yunque National Forest:

Angie on one of the rain forest trails
The larger waterfall with poseurs and swimmers
The drop down the valley below the falls
Lots of thees supported dozens of airplants

From the incredible Puerto del Rey marina we decided to linger on the south and west coasts of Puerto Rico using secluded anchorages behind the reefs. The first of these was behind the reefs and mangroves in Jobos. There was one other boat a mile away! You enter the bay through the reef at Boca del Infierno - somehow “The gates of hell” are not welcoming to a sailor! We survived and later found much more frightening entrances in the Bahamas! There were supposed to be manatees “frolicking” here but we did not find any of them - maybe we will in Florida...
Our next anchorage was at Cayos de Cana Gorda which is a State Park in the mangrove swamps. No manatees again. We explored the park on the island and also the main park land on shore. There were mangroves to wade amongst and lots of fish and coconut crabs popping in and out of their holes. The locals were coming out by ferry to swim, picnic, barbecue, swim and generally hang out. Sadly the park rangers spoke no English...

The higher of the two viewing towers reached after a long and tortuous climb
The mouth of hell - east side of the reef passage
The anchorage behind mangroves at Jobos
An evening thunderstorm misses us...
The moon rises in the east and the colours of sunset hit the clouds from the west
Clumps of enlarging mangroves
The amazing root structures of the mangrove swamps
The mate enjoying the scenery and climate
Skipper paddling too - note blood blister under toenail, already months old and months to go...
Fishes among the mangroves
The amazing calm behind the reef - out at sea there is 20 knots of trade wind and a high sea running from the east
The land crabs spend much of their day housekeeping
The blue creeks between the mangrove clumps
N ew mangroves growing in the seagrass where the manatees are supposed to feed...
Air roots from the mangrove root system

By this time we were well and truly in love with Puerto Rico and will certainly return by air so that we can explore old San Juan on the north coast and tour the paradors in the mountains at our leisure. It is very beautiful and the people are welcoming. Most cruisers are working south east down the “Thorny Path” and there are few of them. What a contrast to the Virgin Islands!!

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