15 May Avatoru, Rangiroa

Today's news from Callisto:

We are still in Rangiroa. The recent canoe and fishing competitions are over and the village is returning to its usual sleepy condition. We did have some anchoring adventures during last night. As you know, we are anchored in the lagoon on the north side. The wind shifted last night at about 2330H from the usual easterlies to 25 knots from the south putting us on a lee shore. As the boat turned, the anchor chain hooked around a coral head about 12 meters from the boat and the violent rocking movement caused the 10mm chain to part which put us on the reef very quickly. We managed to get off without too much trouble with minimal damage to the keel, to discover that our main Wasi anchor was missing. We had to assemble the 85 lb. Fortress anchor and deployed that with our remaining chain while still in 25 kts of breeze.
Things calmed down a bit this morning and fortunately, due to the crystal clear water we found the Wasi anchor and with help of another boat's crew we were able to retrieve it and get it back on the boat. We repaired the chain and redeployed the Wasi and all now again seems safe, though this southerly wind continues to blow so it's a bit rough in the lagoon and it's difficult to sleep.
The anchor chain is now not as strong as it was with the extra link we put in and will have to be replaced. A dive under the boat this morning shows some paint off the keel and a small chip off the leading edge of the rudder skeg but no damage to the rudder bearings. Such is the current cruising life, we are getting some spectacular reef diving in and there are some interesting boats and crews here.
We will leave for Tahiti next week, once this southerly wind goes away and the trades return. I should be able to find some internet there and finally post some pictures.