17:40.8s 177:2.2e

Our first marina since we left Shelter Bay to go through the Panama Canal six months ago.  Imagine, stepping ashore without needing the dinghy, plugging into shore power so all the sockets on board work, topping the water tanks up, putting shopping straight onto the boat.  Marvellous.  Except that it was tidal and didn’t have floating pontoons and required an extremely athletic leap from the front (ie the highest point, over the fixed railing of the pulpit) rather than merely a step from the swimming platform at the back.    We made it many times without mishap however so still have some flexibility left in us.

Shortly after we arrived Bambi pulled in next to us.  Bambi was last seen in the Marquesas in May.  The yacht that was being delivered by Lottie and her father who arrived in the very difficult harbour of Atuona after dark at the end of the long crossing from Galapagos.  We had resuscitated them with steamed pud, birds custard and several rum and tonics.  Lottie and Nick had delivered her safely to her Aussie owner in Fiji and it was good to hear that all was well.

We shopped, we checked out but most importantly we got the Watermaker fixed.  We had heard that there was an excellent mechanic here and indeed he was.  Agreed with our solution and agreed to get it done within 24 hours but did not promise it would work.  He returned next day with a sleeve fitted to the pulley wheel so it had a round hole in it rather than the elliptical  one that had been worn.  Judicious use of Araldite, quick test and it worked.  We now have a feeling that, like the Hydrovane, it could be one of those repairs that is so robust you are reluctant to change the damaged part for a new one.

More fun here with Moana Roa and Beluga Free.  We finally met Chris and Sarah from Tulu having heard them on the net for some time.  Great fun.  Equally memorable was meeting Mike and Sharon on Life’s a Dream, recently married they carry a full sized model of a sheep made out of blue plastic which was a wedding present.  He/She sits on the trampoline on the front of the boat when in harbour or at anchor.  We hope to see them again when we get to Singapore.

The fairway into the marina looks easy enough although the next bit was rather a  tight squeeze.

The fairway out of the marina also easy enough – although high tide is definitely easier.