The hardest thing about the first trip to the vet was getting there! We pulled out our bikes and the dog carrier because we heard it was about a 5 minute car ride away. Well, that must have come from someone who drives 200 miles an hour! We road for over an hour....straight up one hill (OK...we had to walk the bikes most of the way due to the grade!) and then straight down hill to Cabo Rojo.
We were very impressed by the vet and the facilities. They have a lab on site that gives immediate results to blood tests. As we wound up our visit and were contemplating the ride back to Boqueron we received two Christmas Eve presents. The best news was the Mija would be OK. The second gift was the ride they gave us back to Boqueron in the veterinarians truck!
So, Boqueron...our new 'came for a few days and stayed a month' home! This is a beach 
community on the west side of Puerto Rico. It typically is a ZOO in the summer and in the winter it is just nicely populated. There are locals and vactioners alike. The locals are ver friendly and have been a big help to us in getting to the vet. There are also several cruisers anchored here as well. One couple, Paul and Sandra on Quarterdeck are waiting on a new pump for their engine. Another couple, Sue and Paul, are here because Paul just ad a double hernia repaired. Then, there are boats that come and go. Just the other day Tony on Defiant arrived. He is from Kemah, TX and was in the same marina as Boto however we had never met. We certain
ly knew the same people though so it was fun to swap stories. Christmas Eve we were invited over to Scortch (Geraldine and Christopher) for happy hour. We offered to make some of the Mahi to make it more of a meal. We also brought rum balls Vicky jus had to make out of tradition...not to mention that rum is a staple here! Paul and Sandra were there as well and the six of us had a lovely evening. Ah, we can't forget the ChocoVine that we were turned onto by Peggy and Jon in Stuart, FL. Try it if you get a chance! It is a Swiss chocolate and red wine combo that is decadent.
community on the west side of Puerto Rico. It typically is a ZOO in the summer and in the winter it is just nicely populated. There are locals and vactioners alike. The locals are ver friendly and have been a big help to us in getting to the vet. There are also several cruisers anchored here as well. One couple, Paul and Sandra on Quarterdeck are waiting on a new pump for their engine. Another couple, Sue and Paul, are here because Paul just ad a double hernia repaired. Then, there are boats that come and go. Just the other day Tony on Defiant arrived. He is from Kemah, TX and was in the same marina as Boto however we had never met. We certain
ly knew the same people though so it was fun to swap stories. Christmas Eve we were invited over to Scortch (Geraldine and Christopher) for happy hour. We offered to make some of the Mahi to make it more of a meal. We also brought rum balls Vicky jus had to make out of tradition...not to mention that rum is a staple here! Paul and Sandra were there as well and the six of us had a lovely evening. Ah, we can't forget the ChocoVine that we were turned onto by Peggy and Jon in Stuart, FL. Try it if you get a chance! It is a Swiss chocolate and red wine combo that is decadent.
When we got here there was a north swell entering the bay which made things a bit rocky. So, Paul and Sandra decided it would be nice for all the cruisers to get off their boats for Christmas dinner ashore. They made arrangements for 10 at La Marea for an early dinner. The meal was amazing! We had a garbanzo bean and veggie dip with toasted bread. Then on to the pumpkin soup with creme fresca. The main entre was turkey with scalloped cheesy potoatoes and a medly of grilled vegetables. The grand finale was a mango tart with a raisin sauce and of course coffee. Superb! While we were waiting for our dessert Paul also entertained us with his 'magic'! He is a professional and the card tricks were the best we have ever seen.While the Christmas holiday period was fairly quiet in Boqueron New Year's Ever was quite racous! The bars were pumping out the music and there was a live band in the square. We ate on the boat and made our way to shore around 11pm to bring in the New Year. Unlike the States, the fireworks start here at sunset and don't stop all evening. Anyone can buy and set off fireworks so there were amateurs all along the beach and streets having a great time.
Ah, but the fun doesn't end at New Years. Three Kings Day, January 6th Puerto Rico official holiday, as well as a religious holiday. It celebrates the Three Wise Men's visit to see the newborn Christ by exchanging gifts. Traditionally, children stack bundles of hay in boxes under their beds for each Wisemen's camel, to then find their boxes exchanged for gifts. For teenagers it means 'party'! Starting at 5pm on January 5th until 7am January 6th the music throbs and kids mob the streets waiting for the arrival of the Three Kings on an ox-drawn cart into the heart of Boqueron. We went in at 11pm to check out the action but couldn't pull the all-nighter to see the Kings arrive!
