[password]shipnavire1
[status]
:position 01 22.067n 172 55.684e

Tarawa, Kiribati
December 20
I've just put the Christmas decorations up, all five of them. When we get to our next destination we'll find a branch and decorate it with tin foil and clothes pegs.
Tarawa is an island of contrasts. The harbour is littered with wrecks, very exposed and too dirty to swim in. Betio, the town nearby, is, depending on the weather, dusty or muddy. There is an enormous 'Road Rehabilitation' project going on. We've been traipsing around in 30 degrees searching each supermarket for eggs, fresh fruit and veg, even potatoes, but none to be had. Yet this place has a vibrancy about it. There are lots of people around, people active and doing stuff. And they are so friendly.
I organised a day out for the fleet on Wednesday, on a truck. We drove to the other end of this island then waded across a passage to another one and had lunch at an eco resort. I briefed the driver and his wife to help us find fresh produce and we did, at people's houses, and little roadside stalls, it was an adventure and a half.
Tetau and Meriin, the driver and his wife have befriended us and they are traveling up to Abaiang with us tomorrow, so now we have an entree to one of the villages there where Meriin's parents live.
We will have Christmas at Abaiang with four other boats. We have planned a meal, Secret Santa and some entertainment.
Send messages. We can check our email when we get back here in a couple of weeks.
Janet
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