[password] shipnavire1
[status]
:position 07 06.182n 171 22.427e

We've been here nearly a month now but have barely started on our burgeoning To Do lists. its taken this whole time to recover from a tenacious cold virus that struck us both low. I've had very little energy and it is a joy to feel the first tendrils of it emerge.
Here's an update of our plans. We are in the Marshall Islands for the Hurricane season, then will head back to Fiji in April via Kiribati and Tuvalu. In November we'll sail back to NZ and settle in the Bay of Islands after a road trip to Wellington for Christmas. That's today's plan anyway. Majuro is an atoll, the capital of a large group of islands scanning seven to 12 degrees north. The Marshall Islands are in Free Association with the US so its a hybrid of a Pacific Nation and the US. Majuro itself is not a pretty place, most Pacific towns aren't. Because its on a long narrow strip of land there is no town centre, everything is spread out and you have to get cabs everywhere. No great expense at a $NZ1 a time. Food is dearer though, almost all imported from the US. Right now there is a drought and people are actually starving in the outer islands as the government ship is weeks overdue.
When I get to blog about this place I'll talk about the corruption and politics here.
We are in a fleet of about 25 yachts, us the only kiwis. I'm enjoying the yachtie camaraderie. There is a thriving boat music scene going on, to David's delight. We have internet ashore, reasonable speed, which is a treat. We'll be here a few more weeks then will head out to visit the outer islands.
Cheer
Janet[END]