Getting ready now to sail on Friday for Samoa (1250nm) . May route via Suwarro Atoll . Refuelled today . Unable to claim tax free diesel though . Weather gusty today but looks ok for the next week with the usual easterly winds . The genset is working fine with the jabsco pump -fingers crossed . We will need to make water soon after leaving here .

French Polynesia has been a great experience but very few white sandy beaches and lots of private atolls/motus . The highlight for me was the Marquesas which where dramatic and beautiful . Did not have long enough to enjoy them because of meeting Penny . Don't suppose I will ever have the opportunity to go back but you never know . Certainly this is the place of the exclusive and expensive resort and although idyllic perhaps not a place for the holiday of a lifetime .But for me it was the challenge of getting here that was important and I now have plenty more challenges to face in the next few weeks as we head via Samoa and Tonga for New Zealand .

chris