We bounced out of the pass at Maupiti, raised sail and set course to Suwarrow. After 3 fantastic months in French Polynesia, it was time to move on. We are somewhat behind with the blog, so a quick recap. We left Fakarava for Tahiti and had a great time there, not just servicing engines, but seeing the Heiva and enjoying life connected to a largish town! Our replacement satellite bits were shipped so we escaped to Mo'orea for some swimming with stingrays and diving.

Then back to Pape'ete to receive and fit the new satellite aerial and provision up ready for the new few months of baron supplies..

We escaped Tahiti again, this time heading to Bora Bora. Famous for its exclusive and staggeringly expensive hotels with their "over water" bungalows. We found it quite pleasant - especially the dive with a whole squadron of Eagle rays. We said goodbye to lots of friends here, as the Societies cause a bunching up of cruisers who you've not seen since Panama in many cases, and won't see again until Tonga.

From Bora Bora we sailed to Maupiti where we swam with Manta rays at last. We also climbed the central hill to get the photo above. It was knackering, especially as I was just getting over some nasty stomach bug.

So now it's on to Suwarrow. Robert Louis Stephenson's wife described it as the most romantic island in the world. It's also a real life treasure island since $5m of coins were found in a chest some time ago. Weather being what it is, there is a chance we may sail the 5 days to get there and not be able to stop. We will keep you posted.

It's back into the usual night watch routine. For the next 650nm - a distance we have not sailed since our epic Panama to Pitcairn leg, we share the day watches and have our normal night watch slots. Already we are seeing the wind speed drop, but I think on this leg we may have rather too much then too little wind - and right up the chuff too. We wouldn't be sailors if we weren't complaining about the wind :)