The residents of the smallest democracy in the world turned out on Tueday night to welcome the participants of World Arc to their island. A special evening of traditional entertainment was held in the village of Alofi where the fleet are moored. The event was attended by some members of the Government including the Premier Young Vivian who made an emotional speech about the “historical event” of the World ARC visit. Keith Vial the commodore of the Niue Yacht Club also spoke.

The Niue Yacht Club have been preparing for the visit since last year, Keith, Ernie Walsh the vice patron, Vaiola Lakopo the treasurer and the rest of the NYC management committee have been working hard for months and full time since our arrival, they have taken sailors on island tours, arranged filling of gas bottles and fuel tanks, solved all manner of problems, put on numerous parties and are tireless in their efforts to make this a really fun stopover. Jim and Mamata who run the club premises have kept the beer, ice creams and burgers coming and provided a true home from home. Tonight a BBQ is planned after the Admiral Insurance Happy Hour in the Crazy Uga Bar.

The “Biggest little yacht club in the world” has many unique features one of which is the dingy hoist. The pacific swells in this unprotected harbour make for commando style leaps from the dingy onto the wharf steps obligatory, once passengers are landed the dingy is hooked onto a hydraulic hoist lifted onto a trolley and parked safely on dry land. Another is the fact that on an island with a population of 1430 they have 1267 members. Sailors from all over the World have visited Niue and like many of the fleet joined this club in one of the friendliest nations in the Pacific.

Customs official Alexander stayed open for an extra hour yesterday to ensure that Gerry and Isolde of Northern Sky were cleared in and could make it to a traditional feast provided by the residents of Alofi South. Today, Petra from Viva came ashore just in time for Customs but half an hour after the bank had closed, on trying the bank door she was admitted and her money changed by smiling staff. Where else in the world would this happen? Niue is different! World ARC are glad to be here.