Well we made it to the ocean again, seems no matter where you go on an island there seems to be a beach around.
Well I must say that the past two days was like nothing I have done in my life. Spending two days in the La Parguera coral reef islands was heaven.
The fact that it was with three brothers that are always on island time was even better. It works something like this. When you go to accomplish one task, it has steps you never even thought of and it going to take allot longer that you thought. Allot!
The hour and a half trip to La Parguera only took four hours, record time for this group. When you drive here you take your half of the road from anywhere you want. Only when the peril of another car or a pot hole arises do you yield from your private journey. Swerving at the last possible moment, both cars dip to the edge just enough to pass and then hit the gas. That’s driving Puerto Rican style, this is a geat place to drive, just be alert and play along with the other cars. Following Tony pulling the boat was like watching a drunk having a bad day behind the wheel. Not that he would drive and drink but with dim headlights and a huge Bronco towing a boat down some of the roads we went on was quite a feat. The hardest part is they ALL do it. It’s a white knuckle trip to the little bakery (panieria) a mile down the road. So many close calls every day I can’t count but it’s an orderly mayhem! The boat’s tail light consisted of one light tied to the rear rail with a rag, wired to the battery direct. Tony says the police here just want to see “something”, no need to get carried away. Wow! I am really starting to like this place even more. I like rules like the next guy but in the states a policeman looking for anything to write you a ticket on. That doesn’t happen here, be sensible and have a good day and they leave you alone.
The campground we stay at is not really a camp ground as we know it. Rather it is a mini travel trailer subdivision with island flare. Travel trailers, lot and trailer cover with a roof with a kitchen and living room built outside, really. I have traveled little but this island has many attributes that a Slugateer can wrap his bold style of comfort around. Put the boat in (well the other guys put it in while Frank and I watched) and go out snorkeling (we did that ourselves, some things you can’t leave to others) for a while, okay all afternoon until dark.
The only drawback to the trip was two things, first we ran out of beer and second the motor gave us problems. I can live without beer but don’t want to be a Gilligan, maybe if Maryanne was there (just kidding honey). Anyway, we did some MacGyver ‘ ish type things and presto it’s fixed, mostly. The fact that it ran better was a good thing but the rag we stuffed in the hole and the tack we put in the wire were iffy at best. Still we carried on only seconds from the call to the coast guard by having “faith” that all would go well. They use allot of faith here and it seems to be working out, most the time. You’ll be happy to know for our second day we went to the marina store and got some real parts. I call it a store as it had everything you would want. Food, spices,flip flops,suits,dominoes,screw drivers,boogie boards,parts, unbelievable the variety this store had and as in the Puerto Rico custom you need to look at 50% of them. Great custom.
We went in for a wire and three spark plugs, seventy eight dollars and hour later we left. Okay, Frank and I did but the brothers stayed for some unknown reasons. Well the picture says it all; it takes two gringos and a Puerto Rican to change a spark plug. It seems these guys never do anything alone or without serious consideration of all the angles. The two other brothers were there for injecting, at just the right moment, some angle we had not thought of just as the job was about to be complete. This would constitute the dreaded “do over”! Just when I could smell the beach another task would present itself. All part of the journey I see now that my mind has adjusted to the sea air (alcohol may have helped).
The reef here is just outstanding. Our second day was better than the first and we anchored of this little island and snorkeled around the place. I am just amazed at the reef and all the fish it hold. Boulder size rocks of coral with a 100 or so fish all around it, everywhere you look. I was a little leery at first and then got into it because of the fascinating things I saw. I like the fish but not the 4 foot wide stingray with his tail 6 feet away, holy crap. He was on the bottom stirring up things to eat in this cloud of sand and coral. I blasted out of their only to regret it immediately; I should have been brave and cautious and watched from a distance. Next time!!! This trip definitely has to be repeated before we go back to the cold country. To the right is the exact island or reef we went to. It was about 2 miles for the coast and just a paradise. I wish all my friends could be here for this one as it is a soulful place that makes you realize we live in this amazing world. We have got to change our ways and save the beauty that has been given to us. A thousand lifetimes for this reef to come about and my lifetime to destroy it saddens me. Take note of the things you are doing you can change for the better. I know I will after this trip!
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