We are getting ready to start moving toward Fakarava tomorrow. This place, Kauehi, is just like you would imagine a South Pacific postcard should look like. The people here are warm and gracious. Offering gifts many times. We have also had our first exposure to the black pearls they are famous for here in the Tuamotus. We traded some rum, perfume and eye shadow for a bag of local black pearls.

There are two small stores (magazin) that were quite well stocked, although no fresh fruit except Papplemouse, which we still have from the Marquesas. This area used to have 54 pearl farms we were told, but now just a couple small ones remain. They say they were basically taxed out of business by the French government. Now, the only commerce is producing copra (coconut). The government now pretty much supports them and there isn't any more work for them to do. This is a sleepy little place with very few people moving around.

I think tomorrow morning we will leave the village and go back to the other side of the lagoon near the pass and spend the night. Then Friday morning we'll shoot the pass and head for the south pass at Fakarava. It is a short sail of only about 39 miles, but down here you have to time your departures and arrivals around the currents running in the passes, so it is a little more complicated getting all the pieces of the puzzle correct.

Oh, as I was finishing this Kim called me up as we were visited by a pair of Manta Rays who just came by the boat to check us out. One very large, about 10-12 feet wingtip to wingtip and other probably about half that size. They are just cruising around feeding. A nice ending to another beautiful day in paradise.

Till next time.

Steve and Kim.........sv North Star