Jacksters Looking For a Dive

May 10

Another beautiful day in paradise, only this time it's for real. Every so often, during the day, a big SE grin (ask a friend) breaks out along with irrepressible giddiness (OK, little girls get giddy - think adult male version).

Climbed the mast to fix wind transducer twice as many times as necessary due shiftless crew not suggesting reading the single page addendum giving instructions for "replacement in existing systems". Oh well, would have had to go back up sometime to install bird discourager anyway. New unit not nearly the flimsy piece of crap as old.

Scoped out other bays, but found anchorage as good as any for scuba. With Jacksters, at 30 to 40 feet, found minimum coral, but quite a few fish and a dozen or so octopuses, some quite large. Don't know whether they typically change colors to hide from predators or from prey, but these guy apparently don't feel a need for either reason. Some were very dark and biggest ones almost white. They are very shy unless you are food. Another plus to top of food chain.

Early departure AM, sailing to Hiva Oa to shed life of crime and clear in with customs. Like in French Caribbean, officials here are reported very mellow. Atuona, besides allowing removal of "Q" flag, has a Chinese restaurant beside a hardware store that sells ice cream. How could it possibly get better?

Jack