17:09.491 S 177:12.265 E

13/10/09

I had a brief sat com connection today and discovered the Iridium posting didn’t get through so I sent it again via Fleet 33. Last night we were anchored is a bay between two islands almost connected by a coral causeway.  It is an exceptionally beautiful spot. Shortly after dark a boat came along side with  7 or 8 locals, who said hello and asked for some water. They disappeared jn the darkness and came back this morning with two dogs.  This time they need a bit of sugar for their tea.  They were hunting goats.  There are several hundred on the two islands  but the cover is dense and the goats mostly escape as they did yesterday and today.  They hunt with the two dogs and a club which is about as primitive as you can get.

 I had a walk on the beach and a snorkel , the coral was very beautiful.  No rain at all!

 Today we moved on another 20 miles or so to a bay which is not as picturesque but has less sea so we’re hoping for a more comfortable night.  We are surrounded by stunning islands, its hard to know where to stop.  I shall try to send this via Iridium. Pictures will have to wait.