June 18

A cross between Paris and Honolulu, Papeete doesn't suck. Cruisers often shy away from cities, and indeed, large numbers are five miles away at Maeva Beach, but downtown certainly seems very pleasant and is closer to Tahiti-Moorea Sailing Rendezvous festivities. Reference previous allusions to laziness.

Speaking of which, most activities while cruising involve three or four times the trouble and effort as on land. Spent morning getting skivvies fresh and clean (by way of a stroll through town with a dock cart and return three hours later with a wad of cash) and recharging propane, which has lasted since Panama whenever the heck that was (dinghy across harbor to tie up by ladder onto commercial dock, then find hole in fence and proceed toward a giant tank that looks like a chia pet where, again, a return in three hours was accompanied by second wad of cash).

Afternoon consisted in registering for the rally to get complimentary tank tops, buying $43 worth of mixed nuts and a specific gravity tester before heading over to city hall for a terrific music and dance welcoming show, mercifully short speeches by local grandees and a cocktail party which was attended by most cruisers met or heard on radio for last few months. All was great except for the round pink canapes. No one ate them and you shouldn't either.

Jack

PS Next posting likely to be more sloppy and even more belated.