Day 262- Fajardo, PR

We really enjoyed the Spanish Virgins and explored more of the islands (Luis Pena and Isla Palominos) on the way over to mainland Puerto Rico.  We spent more time than planned in Culebra.  Even though the town is not a place that  would necessarily be a draw for us, the beaches and surrounding anchorages were. We met some really wonderful people while there.  There was Johnny from Iowa, who brought his mother to a nursing home in the area, she loves it as she thinks she is in Florida where she always wanted to go; and Lawrence from Conneticut who sailed on his 25' boat down to Venezuela and back and decided to stay for a bit.  Both volunteer at the library even though they are only temporary residents.

Our package of charts and flags (which we've been trying to get every where for months) arrived at the marina in Fajardo, on schedule! We were also able to fill our propane and fuel tanks without delays or problems.  Smooth city.

The highlight of our stay in the marina in Fajardo were the manatees we spotted.  (This is saying a lot since all of us were really looking forward to real showers after almost 2 months.) The mother manatee and calf swam around for quite a while so we were able to check them out carefully. Remi was especially intrigued and decided to do a research project on them. Here is what she found out..

Manatees

A manatee is a herdibor marine mammal, meaning that it eats plants.  A manatee has live birth.  A baby manatee stays with their mom a year and a half.  The manatees here are West Indies Manatees.  The oldest manatee in captivity was born in 1948.  Manatees here are attracted to fresh water so if you put a hose in the water, you may see them come look.   You need to be very careful when you are on a boat because you can cut them up with the propeller.  And they could also get caught in fishing nets.   We need to be careful to protect them.  -by Remi Hopman