Can you imagine a more perfect FIRST DAY in a new port of call?

In my last posting, I mentioned the waterfront restaurant, "Galloway's", and promised more to come about it.
In fact, Galloway's was our first stop upon going ashore in Boqueron. It was recommended to us by the folks on a neighboring sailboat as "the cruisers gathering place, hangout, and home away from home." They told us that the food was excellent, the beer cold, the staff helpful and bi-lingual, and that they had free Wi-Fi. Did I mention the cold beer? Our sailing friends also gave us the name and phone number of a local private taxi service, since we needed to get checked in with customs and immigration here. So we called Raul, the taxi owner, and arranged to meet him at Galloway's at 1:00pm, right after our planned lunch there.























The patio bar at Galloway's

















When we walked into Galloway's at 11:00am, we were welcomed, even though they don't officially open until noon. We ordered beer, and waited for the kitchen to open. Shortly thereafter, we began meeting the most wonderful people! Two guys came in for a beer after completing their golf game. They introduced themselves as Don and Stan, and welcomed us to Puerto Rico. Both men are about our age, semi-retired, and had lived in Puerto Rico for 20 years or more. Both are long-time sailors, fishermen, golfers and boat enthusiasts. They were delightful ambassadors for the island, and we quickly felt at home. Don turned out to be the co-owner of Galloway's, Don Galloway. Don's wife, Gladys, is co-owner, and runs the day-to-day operations of the restaurant/bar. Before lunch was over, we were invited to dinner at Don and Gladys' home in the hills. We agreed to meet them at the restaurant for pickup at 5:00pm.

Gladys Galloway and a happy patron



















Two more happy patrons at Galloway's



















Walt and Gladys Galloway


















During the course of our initial luncheon conversation, I mentioned that we had engaged a taxi to take us to the Hertz rental agency, where we planned to rent a car for our trip to the customs office in Mayaguez. Stan immediately offered us the use of "The People's Truck". This turned out to be an elderly Mitsubishi pickup truck which Stan keeps for just this purpose, as well as occasional hauling jobs. He has loaned the truck to friends so often, he came up with the "People's Truck" as a joke, and it stuck! So he painted a big red star on the hood, just for the hell of it. His other car is a beautiful white classic Lincoln Sedan, and he is rebuilding a '69 Nova SS as his personal toy.

Raul appeared at 1:00pm, as promised, and took us to the customs office in Mayaguez. He shepherded us thru the process, waited while the paperwork was completed, and returned us to the dinghy dock in Boqueron in time for us to freshen up for dinner. Raul was informative, helpful, and an excellent driver. He was able to answer many of our questions about the island, its customs, people and environment. Among other things, we learned that Puerto Rico is experiencing an expanding population of Rhesus Monkeys, apparently a result of escapes from research laboratories on the island. Maybe we'll see a monkey!!

Stan and his wife, Rita, picked us up in the Lincoln at 5:00pm, and chauffered us to Don and Gladys' home. We were cordially entertained, and royally fed! BBQ ribs, veggies, bread, salads, desserts, and Don's home-made pickles and chutney constituted the feast. We thouroughly enjoyed the conversations before, during, and after dinner.

In fact, during our visit to Don and Glady's home (which is beautifully situated high on a hill overlooking the bay), I mentioned that I was looking for a marine supply store, to order some spare generator parts. Don immediately led me two houses down the block, and introduced me to the owner of the local marine supply store. He assured me that he could get anything I needed within three days. As it was Memorial Day weekend, we could not place the order until Tuesday. But he was absolutely right, and obtained the parts I needed.

In addition, during dinner, we mentioned to the group that we needed to locate the nearest Costco store on the island, and that we planned to rent a car for that purpose. Rita, Stan's better half, told us that we were welcome to ride with her to Costco on the following Tuesday, as she had planned to go that day anyhow. WOW! We immediately accepted, and volunteered to pay for the gas in the Lincoln!

Now tell me; Can you imagine a more perfect FIRST DAY in a new port of call? New friends, calm clear waters, wonderful food, and great transportation ashore.