The name says it all! Old San Juan is, get ready, the very oldest settlement in Puerto Rico and technically located on a very small narrow island that lies off the north coast. One of the main tourists attractions of this area is the San Felipe del Morro Fort, but I think the real sight to see is the pretty little town itself.
With blue cobblestone streets and gorgeous, colorful stone buildings dating back to the 16th century, it is really a beautiful area to tour by foot. And we did just that, walking around the breathtaking downtown area, but only for a short-lived afternoon after we made the long haul from Cabo Rojo to San Juan for a few much-needed boat parts. Ya, you might remember the dinghy fixing escapades that went down a few weeks ago. ;))
Anyhoo, we spent a few hours in Old San Juan…meandering through the gridded neighborhood while taking in out the abundance of shops, cafes, and beautiful architecture. We grabbed a late lunch at a great little spot, Cafe Berlin.
And although our visit was extremely hot (horrible mid-day summer temps) and at the most god-awful time of day for photos (super bright mid-day light) we still managed to sneak in a few photos of beautiful Old San Juan. That is, before Jereme and I were both drenched in sweat from head to toe and ready to call it a day so we could make the return 2.5-hour drive back to the west coast of Puerto Rico.
If we ever make it back to Puerto Rico, staying overnight in Old San Juan is on my list for sure! :)))
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean. …Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
Posted in Puerto Rico, Sailing Blog, TravelTags: Caribbean, Cruising, LahoWind, Old San Juan, Photography, Photos, Puerto Rico, Sailing Blog, Walking Tour
There’s somewhat mixed opinions among photographers about watermarking their work. Some feel it distracts from the image while others see it as a reliable way of tackling image theft. The jury’s still out on my opinion ;)), but whatever side you’re on, it doesn’t hurt to know how to watermark your images using a custom brush in Photoshop.
With a brush preset, you will be able to add your own custom watermark to any photo file with a simple click of the mouse. Basically, your own little digital stamp! Pretty great, right?
First you need to create the watermark file.
Open a new file in Photoshop (File >> New). Select the appropriate dimensions for your watermark. It has to be less than 300 pixels/inch since you cannot create a watermark over 300. I recommend sticking to a web resolution of 96dpi or 72dpi since chances are, your watermarked images are being used online in a digital format anyhow. Make sure the “background contents” option is set to “transparent.” This will allow you to have a clean brush with no square edging or solid color behind or around your watermark.
Next, using text or a predefined logo file, create your photo watermark within the new file you just created. You can either open your logo as a separate file and drag the contents into the new file, or simply use the Text tool to type your preferred watermark contents.
Once you are satisfied with this new watermark file, do not flatten the image. However, if there are multiple text layers, you will need to merge layers (Layer >> Merge Layers).
Here’s where the magic happens!
With your watermark file still open, simply select Define Brush Preset from the Edit menu. Then name your brush, save it, and you are be ready to start watermarking your photos.
So simple, right?!
Your new watermark brush will appear at the bottom of your brush palette. All you have to do to use it is open a photo, select the brush tool (and your specific brush from the palette) and size, and click once with your brush to apply your watermark. You can change the opacity of the brush depending on how opaque or transparent you want that watermark to be. And also, of course, change the size and color (but make those selections before you actually stamp the photo).
*I’ve started a regular “PHOTO FRIDAY” series on the blog. You can find all of my photography series posts >> here.
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean. …Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
Posted in Photography, Sailing BlogTags: Bahamas, Brush Presets, Caribbean, Cruising, Digital Stamp, How to Create a Brush in Photoshop, LahoWind, Photo Friday, Photo Tips, Sailboat, Sailing Blog, Watermark
(Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico)
Grilled, blackened, encrusted with my favorite coconut-panko topping, you name it, Mahi has easily become one of our favorites over the past few months of this sailing roller coaster we’ve been on. We filled our freezer to the brim back in the Bahamas after two large-ish mahi catches while trolling a line off the sailboat while en route to a new destination. But, sadly, our fish stock had rather depleted itself by the time we reached Puerto Rico. And with the boat parked in a marina for the duration of hurricane season, let’s be honest, we’ve had zero opportunity to catch our own or even think about replenishing our frozen stash.
Well, luck must be on our side lately because this is the second time in just a week or two that fishermen here in our marina have straight up given us mahi off their boat.
I know, crazy!
We were blown away with the first of this fluke fish giveaway when we just happened to be walking the dock back to our boat late one evening and our buddies a few boats down handed us an entire fish! They must either really like us or feel terribly sorry for us. ;))
This time, Jereme was paddling around the marina/bay one lovely afternoon and floated by another one of our friendly boat neighbors who tossed him another tasty catch of the day!
Crazy awesome! And we sure do love the generosity! This “unconventional” style of fishing has been working out pretty darn well for us, if I do say so myself.
And, hell, who the heck would be dumb enough to turn down a fresh, and might I add totally free, dorado caught that day? Not us. That’s who.
So when I heard Jereme tapping on the hull after returning from his little SUPing rendezvous the other day, I knew something was up. I poked my head out of the companionway to see him standing on the paddle board with a beautiful mahi in hand. And whaddya do when your fiance goes out for a regular old paddle in the bay and comes back with a small mahi? You throw the semi defrosted chicken breasts back in the freezer and grab your camera for an impromptu photo shoot of course!
Hence, the following 14 photos. I narrowed down the selection from the 200+ I snapped. Wish I was joking.
PS – aren’t mahimahi so gorgeous?! That coloring is insane.
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean. …Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
Posted in Boat Life, Puerto Rico, Sailing Blog, Sailing LoveTags: Boat Life, Caribbean, Cruising, Dorado, Fishing, Liveaboards, Mahi, MahiMahi, Paddle Boarding, Puerto Rico, Sailboat, Sailing Blog, SUP
We got a bit of second wind last week! Yup, that’s right. We finally got around to sending Jer back up the mast to re-install our newly fixed wind instrument.
:)))))))))
Yay! No more finger-lickin wind speed and direction testing, if you know what I mean. ;))
You might remember that we had to send Jereme up the mast shortly after we arrived here in Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo. But that trip up was simply to remove our wind instie that unfortunately broke sometime in the Bahamas. It was also Jer’s first time all the way up to the very tippy top of the mast and his first time using our awesome top-climber system.
Sadly, we still have no clue why our wind instie stopped working in the first place, but since it was pretty much brand spanking new at the time we sure weren’t willing to throw away an easy twelve hundred and not get it fixed.
Sending the instrument back to Raymarine wasn’t much trouble at all. Luckily, they fast tracked our fix since we are considered a “yacht in transit.” I’m pretty sure we had the instrument back in our hands only about 5 days after shipping it to Raymarine. Not bad, right?
Let’s not tell Raymarine that since they mailed it back to us so promptly, we’ve had it sitting inside the boat just waiting to be reinstalled for about, um, 2 months. Lol.
But we remedied that last week!
So, this second time to the top of the mast went so much smoother. We’re definitely getting much better at using our top-climber and getting Jer hooked into all of the necessary safety equipment to start his ascent to the top. What took us hours the first few times, took mere minutes this go round. Which came in handy since we decided to tackle this fun project about an hour before sunset…which is great for photos, but not so great for bugs. Aka mosquito happy hour! Ugh.
Our little mast climb must’ve been quite the spectacle because we managed to gain a small audience of local fishing boat owners who gathered around to check it all out. ;))
^^Wind anemometer successfully re-installed and working!!!^^
Thankfully, this trip up the mast went off without a hitch. Oh, other than those pesky mozzies who were buzzing our tower as soon as the sun set. Luckily, Jer was just wrapping up the job so we got him down the mast and inside the boat as quickly as possible. We definitely don’t need a case of chikungunya or dengue fever on this boat!
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean. …Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
Posted in Boat Life, Boat Projects, Puerto Rico, Sailing Blog, Sailing LoveTags: Broken Wind Instrument, Caribbean, Climbing the Mast, Cruising, Installing Wind Instrument, LahoWind, Puerto Rico, Raymarine, Sailboat, Sailing Blog, Top Climber
Cruising isn’t all cervezas and sunshine. Honestly, it’s just as much (if not more) sweat-inducing, dirty, usually annoying, and never-ending boat chores. Bleh. My least favorite aspect of this lifestyle.
Soooooooooo after putting that out there…who wants to hear about our fun-filled boat project kind of weekend??? ;))
^^obligatory cute Oliver photo because, really, who wants to see any more crappy boat project photos.^^
We finally got to work fixing our faulty engine temperature gauge. Yup, the same one that broke waaaaaaaaaay back in Great Harbour Cay, Bahamas. Which was um like five months ago, but who’s counting?
Well, as if working on wires that are located in and around an insanely crammed tight engine compartment in extreme heat isn’t fun enough, it gets even better when a random engine hose starts spraying green coolant everywhere as you begin testing that temp gauge.
Fabulous.
Looking on the bright side, we should really be thankful that this particular hose broke while we were working on something else…and, more importantly, while we had the engine compartment open at the time to even notice the coolant leaking. Honestly, if this had happened any other time, let’s say while motor-sailing away from the coast of Puerto Rico, it could have been totally devastating. Especially since our temperature gauge is still NOT functional. Blessing in disguise, I suppose.
But to fix this little hose issue we now need new hose, and of course Amazon won’t ship the hose we need to Puerto Rico. Figures. Guess we’ll have to find it elsewhere.
Oh, and did I mention that our bathroom sink/shower nozzle thingamajig also broke this weekend? I know. Just great. ;))
Thankfully, Amazon thinks it’s okay to ship faucets to Puerto Rico, so we’re in luck on this one. We’ll just keep brushing our teeth, washing our hands, and doing anything else we need to do at the kitchen sink instead until our replacement arrives. It’s like glorified camping around here. ;))
On a brighter note, we ordered ourselves a huge cheesy pizza that night because, really, who the heck wants to cook dinner after dealing with all of ^^that^^ nonsense. Let me just tell ya, the Claucamis pizza joint right here in little ole Puerto Real has killer pizza! And they deliver!!! We drowned our sorrows in a few slices of pepperoni and a beer or two.
We have more projects on the horizon so here’s to hoping this weekend’s series of events are not representative of what’s to come.
Happy Tuesday!
>>Thanks for visiting LAHOWIND sailing blog! We’d love for you to get to know us and follow our story as we attempt to navigate a whole new world of sailing, as we cruise the Caribbean. …Learn more about us and our sailing + cruising adventures.
Posted in Boat Life, Boat Projects, Puerto Rico, Sailing BlogTags: Boat Projects, Caribbean, Cruising, LahoWind, Life Aboard, Liveaboard, Puerto Rico, Sailboat, Sailing Blog, Tuesday Tell-Tales
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we need to see more of you instead of him ,can you trust him with your camera ,just a little please.? if not just keep sending..thanks .roy
Oh my gosh!!! It’s so cute! Do you know what time of year is better to visit? The heat sounded pretty harsh.
Still loving the blog, feel like I’ve continued to travel with you:)
Where are all the people, sleeping?
Thanks Lara! Unfortunately, I have no clue about the time of year. :(( Probably not summer though because, sheesh, it is SOOO hot here. We need a Long Island, Bahamas reunion sometime! Hope you guys are doing well. -Kim
Haha, thanks Roy! I was just telling Jereme the same. 😉 -Kim
The colors “pop” so much. What editing packing do you use. I need to learn the new digital tips of this generation. In the old days it would be done with polarizer filters, as well as some color filters. I’m going to now go back through some of your pics, and see if I can figure out how might have enhanced some of them, or is it just that beautiful and vibrant?
Terry