Ponce, Puerto Rico

We are still at the marina.  Today, was chore day.  I did 4 loads of laundry while Larry got propane.  When we were at Walmart yesterday, we bought racks to go on the back of our bicycles.  Larry bunge-ed a milk crate on the back of his bike, put the propane bottle into the milk crate and peddled himself to the propane station (near the Cash and Carry).  After he put the propane on deck, he went back out (on his bike) to the Cash and Carry.  There were a few things we saw yesterday that we wanted but didn’t pick up because our cart was full.  He got priorities like rum, wine, amaretto, beer, etc.

Now, with laundry done and the boat nicely stocked, we needed a break.  I’m taking a few minutes and writing up the last couple of days and will try to get this sent today.  We also have some nice photos of our kayaking experience that I will try to upload.  The connection here is intermittent.  Earlier, it was working wonderfully.  Now, for the last 2 hours, it simply says … Internet unavailable, try again later.  URGH!!!

BTW … I checked our email this morning and their was an email from Alex and Elana (strangers to us).  However, they found bottle #8 … first bottle discovered!  Don’t know if you recall or not but we’ve been dropping bottles periodically (mostly in the open passages between countries).  The note inside explains a little about our experience, when/where we dropped it and a request that they email a few people to let them know it was discovered.  We’ve also asked them to send the original note to our granddaughter Riley. 

This is very cool.  We really didn’t know if any of the bottles would be discovered or if they’d just end up as trash on some beach.  Nice to know, one’s been found.  The couple are from Russia.  They were vacationing in the Dominican Republic.  They found the bottle on the beach in Punta Cana.  They sent a nice picture of themselves on the beach, with the note and bottle in-hand.  I’m hoping I can save the photo and post it on Facebook!

I have probably spent 2-3 hours of today just trying to get Internet again.  Every time I try, it simply says “No Internet available, please try again later”.  This is getting very frustrating. 

It is 6:30 and we are giving up on Internet.  We got ready and walked to the boardwalk just outside the marina.  There are a bunch of bars/restaurants and we are treating ourselves to dinner.

Like most other things we’ve read in those damn books, the boardwalk was disappointing.  Both cruising books we have describe this place as a really happening place with crowds of people, lots of music, etc.  It was almost dead tonight and over half of the businesses weren’t even open!  We found a nice little place and had a variety of spanish appetizers and several drinks.  The food was surprising good.  We waited around for a bit but the place never did liven up at all.  Guess they forgot to mention that it only gets rowdy on weekends maybe???

Back on the boat, checked and still no Internet!