What a relief !

It's been 2 weeks since we saw civilisation of any kind [ excluding of course the very civilized wedding in Suwarrow ] but here it is !

Apia - an often overlooked gem in the South Pacific - with oodles of fun and friendly locals - we arrived just in time for the 2nd anniversary of the Apia Marina - a harbor master and marina - so kind - that they guide you to your slip in a dinghy !

It's incredible reasonable here compared to French Polynesia and it seems that everyone is eager to say hi and engage in conversations.

La Palapa, Szel and TakuTori are our known friendly yachts in this port but the winners of this years Transpac Division 7 - the Spanish yacht Charisma - is also here - en route to Fiji and Australia for the Sydney Hobart race.

I promised myself not to get into a route war with feloow puddeljumpers who went to Palmerston Nuie or the Southern Cooks on their way to Tonga but it seems all of us north of 15 S have chosen wisely. In addition the quality of the local brew Vailima - a heritage from the German colonial days - is a heavenly payoff !

One of the more interesting items in urban chaos is Western Samoa's decision to "voluntarily" switch road traffic from the US/Continental Europe "drive on the right" configuration to the left [NZ / Japan / British configuration ] this coming September !!! This is causing LOTS of local controversy - more about this issue in person .... what a cluster f&^! - bus drivers in uproar - local village chiefs declaring their roads will stay true etc etc ...