The Week in Review

Well...it is Friday already... This week went by fast! We really did not do too much this week apart from our trip to Fajardo...the beauty of the cruiser life is that you are able to choose your chores :) Right now the weather is pretty stormy again, so we prefer to stay put on our mooring...there is always something that needs to be done on the boat, and there is always another day for it to be done, hahahaha...unless of course it is an emergency! So we decided to take it easy and went for lunch at Dinghy Dock one day and Zaco's Tacos on another day...

Then we met our good friends and fellow cruisers as well as fellow Morgan owners Bob and Judy for a drink at Dinghy Dock after Judy's return from visiting her daughter in the States...we had a great time...

It was a nice reunion and we shall meet up again soon :) The rest of the week we spent grocery shopping and cooking and relaxing. Today we had a haircut in town at "Michael" the barber...Michael and his wife Mayra are just awesome people and we are happy to call them friends now :) When we are in town next I will try and get some photos! Life is good in Culebra!

Ferry Trip to Fajardo

Monday morning we had an early start to catch the 7:00 a.m ferry from Culebra to Fajardo. We got up at 5:00 a.m....we need our cup of coffee you know ;)...dinghied into town and made it in plenty time. The ferry ride takes about 1 1/2 hours on the cargo ferry and 45 minutes on the fast passenger only ferry...the 7 o'clock one was the cargo ferry, so we arrived in Fajardo at around 8:30 a.m. 

At the ferry dock in Fajardo there are taxis or publicos which are minivans that take you to the main shopping areas for about 3 bucks per person...it's a convenient way of getting around. Of course for greater shopping or other excursions there are car rentals available. We did some of our shopping and then went for lunch at Ponderosa Steakhouse...thereafter we did the rest of the shopping at West Marine, our favorite marine store there. Yes, there is always something to repair on the boat for which parts are needed! We got a new fishfinder, because our old one gave up its ghost finally! We use the fishfinder on ORION as a visual depth meter...it is a neat tool to have in addition to our charts...one never knows what may be lurking on the bottom of the sea ;) The fishfinder works with sonar, so the beam bounces off whatever it finds and gives us an immediate depth reading. Ah well...we also got some other things and then got out of the store before spending more money, hahahaha...We took a Publico back to the ferry dock and were able to catch the 3:00 p.m. one back to Culebra...yes...it was the fast ferry :)

Back home on ORION we jumped in the water and then had some snacks and wine...a perfect ending to a busy day :) Oh...and the black rope you see on the photo is new from West Marine also...I will splice it on both ends and make a mooring bridle...actually two mooring bridles...stay tuned :)

Walking in Culebra

Rick and I walk a lot...we really enjoy the exercise and being out and about when we are not sailing. Today we did a two and a half hour hike from our anchorage to Zoni Beach area! It was just perfect...a nice little breeze kept us from perspiring too much and the terrain was hilly, so we really got a good workout :) The scenery was quite spectacular...a paved road surrounded by wilderness of all kinds of beauty! Yes...this is a national wildlife refuge for sure! 

When we returned to ORION we jumped into the blue water and felt instantly refreshed :) The last photo collage shows our anchorage as seen from high above the National Wildlife Refuge Center. We love it here and we love everything Culebra :)

Just another day in Paradise

As the week is coming to an end we had some fun on SV Fugitivo with Tom and Michi, our new neighbors in the bay :)

The weather has been gorgeous with lots of sunshine and cool breezes, a little bit of rain...just enough to wash off the boat nicely :) Most of our family and friends up north are experiencing extreme cold weather and we are thinking about them often...sending warm and sunny thoughts to you all...spring is around the corner! 

This morning we had a super nice breakfast at Club Seabourne...imagine after being here for so long we did not know that they serve breakfast every day...we thought it was just on weekends! Michi works there (she cooked the super breakfast), so now we know better :) We love Club Seabourne with its beautiful garden and peaceful atmosphere...my brother will be very happy here when he comes to visit in February :) Culebra at its best!

Old friends and football

Met up with our friends and fellow cruisers Bob of SV Adastra and Don of SV Rover yesterday at a local bar called Sandbar...the place was full of football fans watching the game on TV. We had a good time and will get together again soon. Looking forward to seeing my good friend Judy and giving her a hug when she comes back from traveling :) Until then we'll keep an eye on Bob...promise, hahahaha!

Oh...and Leo will keep an eye on all of us ;)

Sunset dinner and seaside salad

Here is a pan fried broccoli/red onion/bacon dish that tasted really fabulous...especially since we were having it at sunset :)

And here is another quick shaker salad...cucumber/tomato/ranch dressing...this time topped with sliced green grapes and roasted sunflower seeds...a perfect seaside salad...don't you think?

New solar panel

We were waiting for a solar panel and it arrived today...so we dinghied into town again, had lunch at Dinghy Dock, and then went to the Post Office. The solar panel is a small 18 Watt one to trickle charge our electric windless battery...Rick made all the connections to the battery and put the panel in the sun...works great! It even came with a small regulator and all the wiring stuff was included :) When we are sailing we will put the panel below deck...disconnecting is real easy...and it is just as easy to put back up when we are at anchor or on a mooring. We shall see how things work out long term! So far looking good :)

The sun will shine again tomorrow...I caught the last glimps of her for today on the horizon over Dewey tonight :)

Food again!

Yesterday we went into town again to do grocery shopping and to meet up with our friend Don for lunch at Zaco's Tacos...we had a great time and some good food...Quesedillas and Nachos! We met Don last year...he just returned with his catamaran "Rover" and will stick around for a while. 

Shepherd's Pie on Stove Top

We haven't had a Shepherd's Pie in ages, so today was the day :) Must admit that I did not make the mashed potatoes from scratch (!)...I used dried potato pearls instead, an easy way to make yummy mashed potatoes in no time at all. They store easily on a boat and all that is needed is hot water, but I put half a stick of butter in the finished mash as well ;)

For the filling I fried a pound of ground beef with onions, then added 2 large cans of lentils and one small can of sweet corn, a bouillon cube, and about half a cup of water...let it simmer for 20 minutes...done! Of course I had to try this in my stove top oven Oshra, so I layered potatoes, the meat, and potatoes again...sprinkled some shredded cheese on top...on low flame for 15 minutes and we had Shepherd's Pie! I used a little cream of chicken soup to splash on top just before eating...it was delicious and we have enough for another day or two :)

Watching the Channel

At last a sailing picture...or better a picture of a sailboat motoring into Ensenada Honda in Culebra today! The weather is still windy with high wave action...should be improving by Wednesday for a few days...we shall see! The trade winds came early this year and seem to enjoy themselves "out there"...30-40 knots with waves as high as 10 feet with 7 second intervals has almost been a standard affair these past weeks! We don't have to be out there in this, so we are staying on our mooring. There is always something to do on the boat...we never get bored...really and truly! As soon as the weather permits we shall be out and about sailing on ORION again :) 

In the meantime my captain changed the starter battery (the old one was beyond repair) to a new one...now we are waiting for a small solar panel to trickle charge the windlass battery and we shall be back in business when we need to drop the anchor...this of course can be done manually as well, but with an all chain rode who wants to do this? 

Here is another photo of Ensenada Honda as we see it from ORION...the big sailboat is now anchored to the right of the smaller sailboat that is sailing out of the bay. 

Pumpkin Quiche on Stove Top

Today I made pumpkin quiche again...baked on the stove top in "Oshra" the stove top oven :) It is a success story every time I use it! We had a left over pork chop from the other day as well as onions and mashed potatoes, so I cut everything into small pieces, added a small can of sweetcorn and some cream of chicken soup and voila...a thick sauce to accompany the quiche! We had a feast...and there is enough for another feast tomorrow :)

Great times

This afternoon we had a great time at Dinghy Dock restaurant with our friends Larry and Phil! I took a photo of "the three musketeers" sitting at the table ;) We have known Larry for many years from our time in Salinas...he just sailed back from St.Thomas and is waiting for some better weather to continue on to Salinas. We had Larry and Phil over on ORION for Christmas lunch..maybe you remember?...if not look in the left sidebar under "Blog Archive", press "2013" and then "Christmas Lunch". Anyways a good time was had by all! We walked with Larry back to his dinghy, which was on the other side of the bay, so we even got a little exercise in, hahaha...kind of needed after all the good food ;)

Pork Chop Dinner

Here is a more detailed look at our dinner with friends last night on ORION...boneless (ever so slightly breaded) pan-fried pork chops and onions...mashed potatoes...zucchini/yellow squash/sun dried tomatoes veggie ensemble...cucumber/tomato/ranch dressing salad...and Rick's famous red onion salad (think I mentioned that somewhere before, hahaha). We had a feast!

Aft Cabin Fever

When our friends stayed over for two nights recently I realized that my set up for sheets in the aft cabin is way too complicated...so I brainstormed a little and came up with an idea that is far more practical and still keeps everything looking beautiful :) Don't believe me? We'll...here is what I did...

Changing sheets is an annoying affair on most boats...our aft cabin is big and beautiful, but having to climb onto the bed and tuck in sheets and secure them, so the don't come loose easily is a pain in the "you know what"! So instead of using fitted or other sheets I have long ago changed to using a thin cotton quilt enveloped in a duvet cover...the quilt is used like a thin mattress pad where you sleep on and not as a cover up...this way it lies flat on the bed and nothing needs to be tucked in anymore...the duvet covered quilt does not move around much when laying on it, and is easily pulled straight in the morning. When it is time to change bed linen I simply take off the duvet cover and wash it...easy peasy! This system has worked extremely well in our V-berth (front cabin) where we usually sleep :) 

Here is a photo of how I had set up the aft cabin for our visitors...notice that the duvet covered quilt was tucked in on all sides of the mattress...looks great, but is really difficult to maintain that way and even more troublesome when having to change the duvet!

Here is a photo of the new set up...although it is hard to notice, the duvet covered quilt is now only half the size...and instead of the sides being tucked under the mattress it is now shortened to fit the dimensions of the bed...no more tucking! I simply doubled the quilt over (yes it was that big)...out of the kingsize duvet cover I made two smaller duvets that fit the doubled over quilt :) So now I even have a spare duvet cover! My sewing skills come in very handy at times...I even altered the kingsize pillow covers that came with the initial duvet set...cut one to make it fit a normal pillow and extended the other to make it fit one of the big nautica body pillows.

When not in use for sleeping we can either roll up the duvet covered quilt and hide it behind the two blue body pillows underneath the portholes (windows) or simply leave it in place and cover with another small piece of quilt...either way looks great and is practical! Hah...I can see us snoozing in both front and aft cabin at random now, hahahaha. Mission accomplished :)

Red Right Return

It's red, it's right, and it must return...so here is another post on my captain's famous red onion salad! You can see "the  Baconator" in action :) Recipe is of course the same as posted in the last red onion salad post ;) Only this time around he assembled the salad in two fridge friendly containers instead of one big one...worked like a charm...we ate one with dinner and the other one is waiting patiently in the fridge...no worries...it will be eaten in no time at all :) Yes...it's that good!

New Friends

Yesterday we invited our new neighbors Tom and Michi of SV Fugitivo for dinner on ORION and they happily accepted. We had a great time talking and eating and drinking :) I made pork chops, mashed potatoes, veggies, and cucumber tomato salad...Rick made his famous red onion salad with bacon...and we had a feast! We are looking forward to a nice friendship between SV Fugitivo and SV ORION :)

Burritos my way

Well...we had some left over veggies and meatball stew, so I decided to make some burritos! Heated up the left overs, put some sour cream on whole wheat and flax flat bread, added the left overs, added shredded cheese on top, and then folded everything up in burrito fashion :) It was a yummy meal and took care of our left overs in a big way!

Another beautiful day in paradise

Today we took a long walk into town and back just for the exercise! On our way in two nice ladies in a truck gave us a lift to the small airport, so we did not quite walk ALL the way but most of it ;) My brother is coming in February to visit us from Germany and we wanted to check on booking a flight on one of the commuter airplanes from San Juan to Culebra for him...we now have the info needed to proceed. We then visited our friends Paul and Suzi at their "Palmetto Guesthouse", had a nice chat and some ice cold water :)

On our way back we took a photo of the poor boat that sank a bay down from where we are :/ It is always sad to see a once beautiful boat so neglected that it just sinks and nobody cares! 

The photo we took of our ORION (see beginning of this post) quite contrarily shows what a happy boat looks like :)

We also checked out another supermarket just outside of town called "Costa del Sol"...a nice clean place with lots of refrigerated items and well organized shelf space! We usually buy our groceries in town where we can park our dinghy...Milka's and Mayra's stock everything we need and more :) It is good to know the other local places as well though...

Cucumber/tomato salad

Nothing better than a refreshing salad! I used diced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, and roasted sunflower seeds...drenched everything with ranch dressing and simply enjoyed :)

Life is Good!

Here we are on our mooring with a view of the town of Dewey...things are nice and relaxed on the ORION :) Early this morning we went to the laundromat...met and chatted with a nice couple (Barbara and Peter) who are on vacation here. Later we went to Dinghy Dock for lunch...after that we went for a nice walk through town, did our grocery shopping, and dinghied back to ORION. Feels good to have most of the chores out of the way...time for some relaxation and maybe a swim tomorrow ;)

Veggies'n'Meatballs in PC

What can I say? It is certainly a lot warmer here in the Caribbean than in the Northeast and other parts of the mainland USA...but temps in the low 70s are "chilly" for us tropical birds! So a nice big pot of stew warms the tummy and the soul ;) Made mine  in the PC in about 14 minutes! Zucchini, yellow squash, red onion, carrots, lentils, ramen noodles, white rice, chicken bouillon, meat balls, and 2 cups of water...

Sailing at last!

Yes...the captain is smiling :) At last we were able to go for a sail on ORION again! The Christmas Winds calmed down for a few days and we were lucky to have our friends here from Ponce and Germany. 

We took two of them with us to sail from our mooring to Tamarindo Beach where we met the rest of the group...some dinghy loads later everybody was aboard ORION and we sailed together to another beach called Melones. There we went swimming and snorkeling and had fun catching up with each other's life stories.

We had a full deck on ORION that day :) Towards the evening Rick took everybody to shore and they walked back to the guesthouse. We all met up later for dinner at Zaco's Tacos. 

We left ORION moored off Melones Beach where she patiently waited for our return! Ulrich and Renate stayed another night in the aft cabin while the rest of the group stayed at Hamaca. We all met for breakfast the next morning in town...our visitors had to take the ferry back to Puerto Rico and we said our farewells at the ferry dock. A great time was had by all!

We stayed another night at Melones Beach, but left the next morning...the Christmas winds are back! We sailed under motor back to our mooring ball...the wind was 20 knots on the nose with 7 foot waves at 7 second intervals...not a smooth sail at all...but we enjoyed it anyways :) 

Visitors from Ponce and Germany

Some good friends from Ponce and Germany visited us for two days recently...being a group of all in all eight people six of them slept at Hamaca, a guesthouse in town, and two were able to stay in our aft cabin on ORION. During the day we all got together and even managed a sail to Tamarindo Beach...will put this in another post. 

We went to Dinghy Dock one night and to Zaco's Tacos the next for dinner. Breakfast was on ORION, at Dinghy Dock, and at Vibra Verde...We all had fun and lots to tell :)

Here is a "selfie" of some of us...the quality is not so great, but the spirits were high :)

And here is the rest of the group...we had to sit on different tables at Zaco's Tacos, but we did not mind...we were happy to get a place at all, because town was full of tourists! 

Dinghy Dock had a big table for us all and squeezed us in at last minute the night before :)

Breakfast at Vibra Verde was delicious as usual :)

We enjoyed being with our friends :)