We're on our way to Lembata, taking daily short hops. It turns our that most of our rally mates prefer day trips and only do overnights when necessary. Who knew!

We had a fabulous 32 NM sail from Pentar to Telak Balurin, with a 20-25 kts beam reach, (except when we were in the lee of the mountain and had to put on our engine for 20 minutes). The rally group of 20 or so boats does not always travel together. For the past few days, we have been one of 5 boats traveling in the so-called Star Alliance, led by Robbie and JoJo of Southern Star. That is the only. motor vessel in our rally group. Robbie and JoJo are angels....lovely people to be with and most helpful with navigation and decisions. With lots and lots of amazing electronics, and a flybridge from which to steer, they have a real advantage in spotting reefs and finding the best spots for anchoring. and are most generous in sharing their info.

As usual, our arrival was greeted by local kids (hello mistah, mistah, misses, misses) in their leaky wooden canoes from this poor fishing village. We haven't gone ashore, yet. Captain Nap did you know what...and I made some hummus. It is interesting that like many areas in third world countries, they never bothered with land-lines but went right to cellular, so we were happy to have a wi-fi signal, and I can get my Bed and Bath coupons. (Good for us...good for them.)