#115 NOW August 27, 2006 1415 (UTC -11 hours Samoa Standard Time) S13049.8 W171045.8 Anchored in Apia Harbour, Temp 91 with gusty winds Good Afternoon, We made good time between Tonga and Western Samoa. It was necessary to slow down a bit, so that our arrival would be in daylight. Entering Apia is not difficult, which has excellent range markers and a well-lit harbour, but daylight is always more comfortable. We pulled up to the shipping wharf and called the Port Captain at 8:15 am to set the wheels in motion for our clearance into the country. The last time I was here, it took 24 hours before we could get anyone to come out to the boat. So with as much authority as I could muster in a polite way I tried to impress upon them that we would really like to see there fair city today. By 11:00 am, customs, quarantine, health officials, and the port authority had visited us. The later charges $50 US to use the harbour for an indefinite period. The only thing left was immigration. I came up with the brilliant idea of calling them direct and asking if we could come downtown to the immigration office thus saving them a trip out to the harbour. They agreed that this was a wonderful idea and we hailed a taxi and soon had the necessary stamps in our passport. Now for a big problem that has developed. About two days out of Apia, we began to smell diesel fuel coming from the engine room. I looked around and found one hose that was damp and thought that might be the problem. However, by the time we got to Apia, the bilge had considerable fuel in it and some was being pumped overboard by the bilge pump. Upon closer examination, I discovered that the seam on the backside of the supply reservoir (a one-gallon tank that distributes fuel to all the systems) was leaking from about half way up the tank. This is not good! The tank, which has seven connections to it, will be a major undertaking to remove. I am not a fan of patching things, but in this case, I thought I would try some liquid steel along the seam and see if that will stop it. Right now, it is curing and I should know in a few hours. >From every bad situation, some good can be found. The good news is that I will be in Apia for a while and since the winter festival starts on Friday, I should have a good time enjoying the colorful events scheduled to take place. Planned activities include war canoe races, parades, games, even a beauty pageant. So, what is the rush? My only requirement is to be out of the southern hemisphere before cyclone season starts in October. My bread maker came to a noisy halt the other day. I have enjoyed may loafs of wonderful homemade bread over the past couple of years, and its demise would be a real loss. Prior to sending it to the bottom of the ocean, I thought I had better look at the innards and see if there was anything I could fix. Sure enough, the problem was the belt had come off the pulley and was making a terrible racket. This was a simple fix and right now, we have a fresh loaf of bread on the way. So, this important piece of equipment has a renewed life and hopefully will produce many more loaves of mouth-watering fresh bread. Rainer has left to go back to New Zealand. I certainly appreciated his help and cheerful attitude. Kirk has been a great help and a surprisingly good cook. The later skill being something I consider most desirable, which compliments my eating skills. Thus, life goes on with problems to challenge and special things to enjoy. Life is a Cruise, Larry and Kirk -- Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/Dads%20Web/doneDreamnHome.htm