Erin -

Well, what a lovely night. I had a visitor for conversation, drinks, and dinner. That is no small accomplishment given that I have barely settled in and have very little in the way of cooking utensils or space. Did I say very little? That is an understatement, but what I do have is brand new and enough for two people. Now using the bed as a countertop to chop and prepare the salad, that is new, even for me. I have a fair size table, but it has been relegated to my 'office' space. I have decorated it with a few Christmas cards I received early, a Santa hat, a huge, empty gift bag, and a bottle of Don Q Cristal ( which I will need to replace regularly, so I don't destroy the tablescape).

Erin is a woman I met virtually a couple of months ago when I was looking for info on Culebra. She is a 46 something expat from the U.S. who lives here in the harbour on her sailboat. She will be a regular on the cast of characters in this story.

A couple of Don Q's (rum) and the late hour means that this will be continued tomorrow.

Iguana

Sorry, about that. I don't know what happened to the photos. Will try again.

OMG

The greenery you see in front of my place are two separate mangrove 'islands' in the canal. Annie told me that lizards would come from there. Well, I have seen several normal, little lizards this morning, but just now my eye spotted this guy -

I hope you can see him - a HUGE iguana in the two photos above.

On The Porch

Outside there is a wrap around porch/balcony. This is the view from there. I am not directly on the sea, but on a little canal. The sea is just down the path to the left. Annie lives in the main section higher up and facing the sea, the bridge over the canal, and the only town, Dewey. Do you think she would trade for the winter???

I had a few visitors this morning. First, a rooster and his hen were having breakfast outside. Then there were two tiny cats who kept very still peeking out from behind the palm tree trunk up at me.

A Beautiful Morning

Good Morning,

I woke up about 6 a.m. and opened my door.

This is what I see from my bed while listening to Vivaldi's, The Four Seasons (thanks Ali).

Oh yes, sipping on my own freshly brewed Puerto Rican coffee (and a cigarette, of course).

To Culebra

Ok, now I am at Isla Grande airport, the little one, awaiting my half hour flight to Culebra.

The plane is a tiny prop with nine seats, but there were only three passengers and the pilot. The flight cost $63.00 plus excess baggage. The young fellow at the check in counter was so nice and only charged me $20.00 extra (perhaps because there were only three of us).

Some photos of a very nice fight/sight seeing tour.

Don, the first one is for you and me.

The second photo is the big city of San Juan, not the nice historic centre where I was fortunate enough to have been with Ali.

Third: I was sitting in the first row behind the pilot and had an amazing view.

Fourth: A propeller beside me.

Fifth: Flamenco Beach, Culebra

Sixth: Approaching the airstrip

Seventh: My landlady, Annie, welcoming me to Culebra.

I am in my room now, but have not taken any photos here. I really just want to relax and relish the last few days. They have been spectacular. I know, I know, I say that about every trip - and it is always true.

Tomorrow I will tell you about my "home" for the next few months.

By the way, did I tell you it is HOT here!!!!!!!!!

Nighty night.