Hey boys & girls, we're down to less than 24hrs before departure from Palau; running around getting last necessary stuff done -- disposing of our changed-out engine oil, filters and many oil-absorbent pads (called 'Sorbies') loaded with diesel fuel from our most recent, self-inflicted "fun with diesel". One of the local Shell service stations -- Midtown Service Center -- very kindly took our stuff, no charge; Thanks!

We did some provisioning, commonly known as grocery shopping (but it sounds more manly and adventurous if we call it "provisioning".) I found some aloe with lidocaine, for sunburn, in a shop here, something I've been looking for since Hong Kong without success until now; Yeah! I try to be careful, but at this latitude it's so easy to get burned, even under cover, from reflection off the water. Apparently I'm a delicate flower...

I had a good discussion with Lee Chesneau, our weather guy this morning about strategies, concerns and procedures for the next leg. No worries there. We will likely be looking at the same conditions we experienced between PI and here.

We will fuel, in the morning at the Yacht Club / Sam's dock, meet our obligations regards Immigration etc. and then, with the sun high to help us find our way amongst the coral, we'll head out to the Eastern entrance, then east by south.

Just a bit about Palau: the diving, the environment generally, is really quite extraordinary. People are friendly and helpful. There's a traditional navigation class taught at the community college. In many ways a more comfortable place to be than other ports we've been in. Easy to see how people come here for a week, and stay for a year. And like most places there's a local dish Westerners wouldn't be too thrilled with. PI it's balut, SE Asia generally it's durian and here in Palau it's fruit bat. Poor Stella Luna!

So, underway again!