Ted - October 27, 2007

Beautiful Downtown Funafuti
We spent the night stepping down the sail area and skirting out to the east to wait for light before we approached closely to Funafuti. At 5:00 AM we started a run straight toward the pass, from about 6 miles east of it. By the time I checked in with the Rag of the Air at 7:00 we were halfway across the big lagoon, sailing slowly so we could watch for coral heads. Atlantis soon followed us in. We both had the anchors down by 9:00, and at 10:00 we headed in to clear customs and immigration. That was easy enough except that the two offices are at completely opposite ends of the town, almost 3 miles apart. It was a long, hot walk from immigration to customs, then we had to return to the first building because that's where the quarantine officer was this morning. About halfway back we got a ride in a truck, which got us there just in time to catch the officer before he left for lunch. So, by 12:30 we were officially cleared in. Looks like a bustling little town. Found a few stores and the bakery. Had to order bread for tomorrow, as they sell out most mornings. We've had a swim to cool down, and now we both need to catch up on a little sleep. More details tomorrow. Ted