May 21

Our day started with an early morning walk to the Town Hall, where, on Tuesdays, they hold a little veggie market. A little truck comes and offers lettuce, tomatoes, squash, green beans, etc. All things that take on a luxurious status here on the atoll. (Remember that atolls are just a tiny strip of coral around a lagoon where an island used to be.) The local women all gather in close, and while it is not overly agressive, one must assert ones self if she is to get anything. Elisabeth is learning the game very well, and got us a nice haul.

Had lunch with Penetala, our friend from the bank, today. You may remember that we had his boy visit on board the boat last year. It was nice, and we had a great visit under the trees on the hotel patio with a view of the lagoon and our boats. We also stopped by his uncle Penielu's office and had a visit. Penielu is closer to our age, and is General Manager and CEO of the Tuvalu National Provident Fund, the national retirement fund for Tuvalu. He is an interesting guy who got his education in Auckland, was offered work there, but chose to come back to Tuvalu.

It's nice here today. Almost no wind with clear skies, so it is hot, but wonderful. The very clear and flat water allows us to watch the bonitos, a type of tuna, hunting around our boat. Also, we can see our anchor chain all the way to the bottom and then follow it along the bottom - pretty spectacular considering that we are anchored on over 40 feet. Wonderful. A little taste of island life for you then.

We have been watching the weather, and discussing with our dear friend Bob. It looks as is Sunday is the day to set out for Fiji. We have been here three weeks by then, and our visas are only good for a month. (We could extend if we really needed, but it is getting to be time to go.)

Be Excellent to One Another, Rod and Elisabeth, "Your Rock and Roll Argonauts"