We are still hanging on the hook here at Maupihaa, the most "out there" Atoll we have been to and loving it. Some of the guys went out for a night lobster hunt and in four hours got over a hundred and fifty, yes 150, then the girls went after coconut crab and got 20 large ones, really large, like footballs so yet another feast ensued on shore. Went fishing today and in a couple of hours had a couple nice blue spotted jacks, sort of small tuna type fish, for dinner and a great sun burn to wash it down with. Lost a rally nice new lure to a shark who took the first fish and all out gear, then calmly swam by swirling around like a happy little dog after a treat. It was my turn to escort boats through the pass by dinghy and I did 3 trips in and out today, not for the faint of heart but better than those on their yachts who were suitably relived having made it in. The PASS was benign by comparison to when we came in but still a real test of the nerves. The weather is calm now and you can see the bottom in 40 feet quite clearly, the coral heads are obvious hundreds of feet away and fish are just everywhere along with a colony of turns, sea birds, that are noisy 24 hours a day but it is cool none the less, they make a squawk that sounds like a cat fight as they soar right overhead day and night. Right now there is zero wind at all and sound is carrying. On shore the local family is singing traditional Polynesian songs and it is magical. The calm conditions leave one speechless while sitting absolutely still, watching the tropical sunset then the moonless night sky with the Turns squawking, fish jumping and songs echoing out from the beach. And, it is 32 degrees now after nightfall and the stars are reflecting off the water in a way that you would think you were in outer space where you would be completely surrounded by stars anywhere you looked. One night it did go down to 26 and I had to use a blanket, well sheet for part of the night anyway, don't know what it will be like as we drop South across 30 degrees of latitude as we make for NZ. Jackets and long pants, socks and shoes,,,yuck! Although I try it is not possible, for me at least, to sum it all up in works in order that you can sort of experience it. French Polynesia, has been quite an experience and has so much diversity to offer it would take a year to scratch the surface. Alas our time is up here, well, past up actually, and we sit here among the others boats, all past their clear out dates, stretching it out as long as possible, not wanting to leave this idyllic paradise called, French Polynesia. On the up side we look forward to all the new adventures and treasures ahead as we close in on Niue then Tonga, another paradise of a different sort.