GREETINGS ALL We arrived at pass into Hao at 10:00 thinking we could enter after dark because the charts showed lit ranges and channel markers. Guess what, no lights at all at the pass and a lot of in and out current at the pass. flowing in on the east side and out on the west side. We decided another night outside was the best call so here we are. The main id down and a tinny bit of jib rolled out. We are sailing in the lee of the atoll doing 2 n back and forth. one on watch watching the plotters and steering from below with the auto pilot buttons. I we sail out into the seas and wind I will tack and go slowly back the pass for a morning entry, hopping the current isn't too fast and waves too big in the pass.. All part of life in the Tuamotos. We fought and lost what we believe to have been a big ahi. Took out half the line on a 12/0. Got him back to the boat to see color and he slipped the hook. Probably best that he got away.

To Devi Nottage: I think you could have caught the baby chicks in Rikitea if you had some bugs in your hand to feed them, they seemed pretty tame. We will be checking out Village d'Otepa in the morning and doing some shopping. Good night for now' D Nottage