8 May

Message from Callisto:

We are still lazing about in Fakarava which is just about perfect. The lagoon is protected so no roll or swell and the trade wind breeze blows 24 hours a day to keep everything nice and cool. There are a few boats here, the first we have seen since Nuku Hiva but not too many. There are some stores, a boulangerie and some restaurants in the village to browse around.
We went on a visit to pearl farm yesterday which was extremely interesting. The tiny outfit exports 200,000 pearls a year to Japan and I hadn't realized how long and how labor intensive the entire process is.
We'll spend the rest of the weekend diving on the numerous reefs around the village and will probably go on to Rangiroa on Monday and will most likely get into Papeete early, some time before the 20th of May. Just as well, as there is lots to do to get the boat back into yacht condition.