We've had a few challenges in the last 24 hours that have slowed us down a bit -- maybe our luck has been so good it's time we were reminded to be grateful for it all.

First, I accidentally erased all the photos we've taken since we arrived in Tuomotu, so that explains why there is no new photo gallery on the blog. We're working on compiling a collection from Greg and Tiff, as well as maybe a few from Gloria on Paikea Mist, since between the 6 of us we all took pictures of more or less the same things.

Next, in a complex Internet/Skype/text transaction regarding my credit card, the number was stolen and someone charged $1000 at Lowe's in Alabama. The efforts to clear that up, given our crummy Internet connection, led us to put almost 30 minutes on our Satellite Phone. This is, for those of you not Sat phone savvy, reminiscent of the very early cell phone days, when a call was over $1/minute and we used them only for road emergencies, or to call the dentist if we were stuck in traffic. Or better yet, back in the days when my Grandma would call her sister in Pasadena, a mere 30 miles away, and flip her 3-minute egg timer. At 2 1/2 minutes she'd start warning Great Aunt Elizabeth that she only had a few seconds left.

After 15 minutes of precious pre-purchased Sat phone time, I started reminding the poor Capital One Fraud Department Representative that we were calling from the South Pacific on an expensive Satellite phone, and each time, with insincere compassion, he replied "Oh, yes, of course Ma'am" and then began moving at half-speed, sometimes putting us on hold for 5 minutes while goofy hold music played over our tiny Satphone speaker. It took forever, or maybe longer. So, my credit card number has been stolen, and I can't help but wonder if my identity went with it. If so, do I get to pick a new one? I've been pondering that since last night.

And then, this afternoon as Allan was filling our scuba tank with high pressure air from our compressor, a valve blew and the tank was thrown over and landed on one of his favorite toes, the big one on the right foot. That puts diving and windsurfing in serious question for awhile. Nothing broken, but he will lose the toenail, and in the meantime, will do some serious limping.

So, if it's true things happen in threes, we're good now for awhile.

Meanwhile, Tiffany and I did some intense calisthenics on the beach yesterday, those tried-and-true exercises that have been around since maroon and white gym clothes in the 7th grade: jumping jacks, burpees, push-ups, running in place, and other such agonizing movements. 8 sets, in 20 second intervals with 10 second rests, the result being, if you're fairly out-of-shape as we apparently are, that you are a complete invalid by mid-afternoon and virtually unable to move the next day. So we're all on a serious course of ibuprofen around here.

We're scheduled for 2 dives tomorrow, one through the Garue Pass at the northern end of the atoll, and one in the afternoon somewhere else. Allan will get up in the morning and evaluate his situation. Tiff and I will be fine as soon as we fall into the water and gravity no longer has a grip on our achy bodies.

And who knows, we may stay here longer, gimping around, swallowing Advil and enjoying the tranquil view. Anywhere in Tuomoto is okay with me, anywhere at all.

I'll pass along the Digit Update tomorrow. And Mom Gabel, you should be relieved: I didn't exactly tie him to the boat as you requested, but this could keep him out of those shark-infested waters for awhile. Maybe.