Richard Bolt has reported from Galle in Southern Sri Lanka that most yachts have now arrived safely after a good passage from Thailand. There is frenetic activity within the fleet as they complete their arrival clearances, get refuelled and complete a hundred and one other jobs prior to departing on a 5 day excursion on Tuesday 13th January.

There are over 50 rally participants going on the excursion which takes in most of the main attractions, including Nuwara Eliya and the tea plantations, Kandy and the Temple of the Tooth, Dambulla cave temple and the magnificent hill fortress of Sigirya. Also on the itinerary will be the elephant orphanage at Pinnewala and the capital city of Colombo where everyone will stay at the famous Galle Face Hotel.

On their return to Galle on the 18th January there will be detailed briefings for the next stages of the rally plus of course time for a party at the Unawatuna Beach Resort where there will be a special jungle BBQ with local dancers and if we are lucky, a fire walker. Berthing has been made somewhat problematic by the removal of a metal pontoon which has been needed urgently elsewhere but at the final count it has been possible to find everyone somewhere to secure themselves.