Yesterday was a busy day. I sat myself down in the Chart Room at the Club House and downloaded KAP charts. These are "charts" that are actually snapshots of Google Earth pictures of the Earth in particular locations. These "charts' overlay actual charts in our navigation software on the computer. We use a program called "OpenCPN". A free product that has great charts and lots of add ons to using it. You can add on AIS--Automatic Identification Service. That shows you what boats are around you. Add in GPS and you know on the chart exactly where you are on the chart and with it being free, it's great. Anyhow, I sat throughout the morning and downloaded lots of these "charts" for most of our next "jump". Sri Lanka, the Maldives and the Seychelles. Now, we have not only the charts but pictures of what the coves and bays look like from overhead. A big plus when you get there, plus they are spot on in location. Some charts are off as much as a mile. Not a good thing. While I was doing that, Tracy was hard at work tearing apart one of our main food "lockers". It actually a set of about 5 storage bins that sit on top of the top bunk in the bow stateroom. Lots of snacks and bags of candy as well a cereal are kept there. Since we have been at the marina, the storage has gotten to be quite the mess as each time we came back from a store, we would just add on to the piles of food kept in the baskets. We had no real idea what we had so we just kept buying more each time we hit a store. She made lists as she took each apart and re packed them. Now we know what we have and don't really need to buy more of and what we do need to buy more of. A huge task.

After lunch, Jamie from Totem came over and we took tons of measurements for our new genoa sail. Our old one was a 130 sail and it gave us a ton of power at the bow of our boat. We think we will be ordering either a 110 or 120 to take it's place. To get the best measurements we pulled down the sail and laid it out on the dock. Jamie's tape measure was everywhere. Up the mast, along the side, forward and back. We now have the correct measurements. Now to get it on order. Once he left, I went back to the "Chart Room" and did more downloading.

All the cruisers were invited to a party to celebrate the end of Hari Raya. Ramadan ended a month ago and the last month has been a celebration of it. Well, last night the celebration came to an end and all of us were invited. A lavish spread of food was laid out for the hundred or so that showed up for the festivities. Locals, workers, dignitaries and cruisers we all there along with kids from all the boats. There were several acts where local put on dance as well as singing from locals. The picture to day is of one of the dance and drum groups that performed.

There was roasted lamb and Satay(barbecued chicken on a stick) along with lots of casseroles with different side dishes. Events were held for the adults as well as the kids. It was great to see the excitement on the faces of all the kids. They planned it well with each child winning a prize--baskets of food and treats. The moderator of the ceremony even got Tracy and I up for a "Dress Up" game. We, along with four other couples(including Jamie and Behan from Totem) got two pieces of material to dress up their spouses. The girls dress the men. I ended up with a nice skirt and a fancy fabric hat. Oh, we were all stunning as we stood in front of the party goers. In the end, after a walk down the "cat walk", I ended up winning first prize with Jamie coming in third. Hey, it was all worth it as not only did the crowd get to see the cruisers as the crazy fun loving people we are but that we were happy to be there with them. I ended up winning $!00 ringitts to spend at the big shopping center--Aeon. We get shuttled there by the marina every Thursday. The party started at 1930 and didn't end till 2230.

It's raining outside right now as I sit in the Chart Room taking advantage of the free internet at the marina with the Sun just coming up. Rain is forecast for the entire day. Guess we will see.