Bali - A good stopover for cruising yachts.
 Almost all the fleet are now comfortably berthed in Bali International Marina. The remaining yachts are expected in the next 48 hours. The early arrivals have been taking advantage of Bali's low labour cost, employing local workers to assist with their maintenance schedules.
It represents a good exchange. The WARC crews and their day workers are learning new skills from each other, especially with the day workers' ability to fix almost anything, and make repairs to items that would normally be written off. In return, the locals are enjoying good conditions, practicing their language skills, and politely accepting the crews' hospitality.
The Balinese typically have a ready smile, a willingness to engage, and a keen sense of fun.
In the mornings, children are walking to school in groups, clapping hands, clicking their tongues, and talking in chorus, in time to a percussion they create by knocking small metal objects and and sticks together. They hop and jump, all the time laughing and giggling with each other. School in Bali starts at seven thirty and finishes just after midday.
Some crews have already taken tours to the highlands of Bali, exploring the mountain lakes, jungle, and paddy fields. Many hills have been expertly cut into tiers, and divided further with moats into small pools where the rice crop is grown twice a year. There is an intricate system of irrigation to control the water levels in each miniature field.
The social programme begins on Friday evening at the Royal Bali Yacht Club, located on nearby Serangan Island. Indonesian food, Balinese dancers, an auction, and plenty of the two local beers - Bin Tang & Bali Hai - will be on offer. Participants in the Sail Indonesia rally have been invited, as well as the Yacht Club members, so it's lined up to be a great night.
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