Thursday June 23rd – Good morning from the atoll of Fakarava

Good morning to all
I awoke this morning after having slept under a sky of sparkling stars
out in the cockpit. Now the water in this lagoon is so flat and calm
that when looking off to the horizon the blue of the sky and the sea
blend into one.
Yesterday we explored the village, the two stores, the post office, the
school, the municipal buildings, and the roads, some of concrete and
some of the natural coral of the atoll. The people are all so friendly
and interested in talking to us in our broken French and English.
Purchased a few necessities at each of the two stores. Like crackers,
baguettes, and a special treat necessary for John, an ice cream costing
over $2.50 each. Also purchased was a 99 cent bag (in the US) of
Doritios for over $6.50.
We celebrated last night by getting all cleaned up and dressed up to
motor out in the dingy for a great dinner at a nice local restaurant.
Boy did we look spiffy after days of grubby sailing. We all had baked
Mahi Mahi. Mine was rolled in coconut with a lemon butter garlic dipping
sauce. A delicious meal including rice and a green salad. The dingy
motor would not start so Darla demonstrated her rowing skills by rowing
us two guys the quarter mile back to Intention.
Love from all of us
Jim