This morning there was no wind and no clouds. We knew it was going to be a hot day. First up we headed into Denarau to stock up with fresh veggies. Then we motored out across the bay to Malolo island. We were almost here when the wind came up. From this side of the island we can see the mass of boats across at Musket Cove for the race week.
We chilled out as the 20kt wind kept things cool. In the afternoon we went for a swim around Imagine. We set off in 20kt wind and in the time we had gone around the boat the wind dropped to nothing and has stayed like that.
This morning we were on deck at sunrise. After breakfast I went ashore and picked up Marion (who was going to join us for the trip from Vanuatu). Once everyone was onboard we hauled anchor and headed across the atoll, looking for somewhere with clean water, for a swim. There was no wind and the water didnt have a ripple on it. On the way I tried fishing. It only took 5 minutes and I had a Barracuda on the line. We stopped at lunch time (Barracuda) at Yanuya island across from Castaway island, where Tom Hanks and Wilson was filmed. We swam and snorkelled for an hour in the beautiful blue water. We could see the anchor sitting on the bottom 18m below. Unfortunately the swell was coming in the bay so after lunch we headed north. As we set off the wind started and over the next few hours it increased to 25kts. This gave us the chance to sail. By 5pm we were anchored and having drinks and nibblies on the back deck in the Bay on Kuata island. Tomorrow we will explore the island.
We made it. Four days and four nights. 570 nautical miles. We are officially in Fiji. We are also stuffed. We arrived at Denarau at 5.30pm. Then it was a mad rush to get customs clearance. Now we sleep. We made it in one piece. Unfortunately our flags need replacing. Can anyone tell us what flags they were?
Today started out like the others, with a blue sky and sun shining. B took advantage of it and found a spot in the cockpit to relax. By mid afternoon thinks had changed. We have been attacked by squall after squall most bringing 35kt winds (70km). One would push us off course and the next push us back on track. Its been a lot of reefing and unreefing the sails. We are now heading into our eighth squall. B is looking forward to tomorrow morning when we will be inside the atoll and sheltered from this 3m swell. We then make our way to Denarau and customs.
Today is more of the same, eat, sleep, do your shift a the helm. The ocean swell is predominant, but we are getting an annoying short wave chop in between. This is making B a bit sea sick, but we are still making good time.
Daybreak was herald by a beautiful sunrise (the best thing about the day). We have had 2m waves and 20knt winds just off the bow most of the day. This has meant a nice speed of 6kts, but an uncomfortable ride. Our day consists of do our watch (on the helm), have something to eat and drink then try to sleep. At least we have plenty of percooked meals. B has realised how draining it is trying to rest while being bounced around. We are trying to get as close to Fiji as possible before the wind swings to the east which will slow us down as we will have to tac a lot.
After spending the past few days preparing Imagine and ourselves for the passage to Fiji, the day finally came. We had been watching the weather and a window appeared. The wind is moving more southerly, giving us a good run to Fiji. The two crew going to travel with us had decided to go to Tana to see the volcano. They were cutting it fine to get to Imagine in time to set off today. Then their flight got cancelled.
With the weather window closing we had no choice but to set off with out the crew. With the usual waiting at customs and immigration we finally left Port Vila at 3pm.
We set off on Thursday morning to head south to the Maskelyne islands. We arrived at Uliveo island on the afternoon. Too late to go ashore.That didnt stop two locals we had meet before (Stewart and Philip) from coming out in their boats to great us.
On Friday we first went to visit the school. Gina and Alex our previous crew had left us books and pencils to add to what we already had.we also took the boats guitar as i still haven’t learned to play it. Hopefully the kids will be better at it then me.
While I went back to Imagine to load the dinghy with more things to donate, B enjoyed talking with Phillips wife who was patiently preparing the dying colors and dip the hand rolled bananas leaves that will be used to craft braided mats and baskets.
Next we handed out the last of the pillows and kids clothes that Kmart gave us. We also had some adults clothes and a couple of blankets. We left Stewart (the islands tour guide) a small anchor for his boat. We could see he was useing an old meat grinder as his anchor. Im not too sure how well it worked.
After lunch we motored across to the neighbouring island Awei and we left a jar of honey that we are not going to be able to take into Fiji, a hammock and some more rope.
This morning we set sail again. The sun hadn’t quite made the horizon when we hauled anchor. The light rain made it a hazy morning. Heading south to Port Vila, the sun has came out making it a warm trip, but by evening we were greated by two squalls. As it got dark we had to rely totally on our instruments, chartplotter, radar and AIS to see where we were going and see small fishing boats. Very few have lights on them, but you may get a glimpse of a touch light (If they have one). It was 1am by the time we glided through the dark to our anchorage.
Yesterday we set off early leaving Port Stanley behind. We reached Banam Bay around 3pm and were greated by a pod of small dolphines. It was too late to go ashore but not too late for a swim. Not long after we got out of the water we had a visit from three kids in a canoe welcoming us to their bay. They had brought us some pomeloes.
A few minutes later two more canoes arrived from across the bay. They weren’t quite as polite. Without invitation one of them climbed aboard and was looking around to see what we had. They told us we should go to their village to see the waterfall. They didn’t mention they charge people to go see the waterfall. We asked them to leave and they did.
This morning was productive. We had breakfast and a swim then did a few jobs, all before 8am. We then loaded the dinghy with things for one of the villages we had vistited before. As soon as we had dragged the dinghy up the beach Rasras and some other kids from the village raced down to meet us. They had recognised Imagine therefore hadn’t come out to harass us in their canoe. Once in the “Vilig Nuba Fiv” (village number five) we distributed kids clothes donated by Kmart NZ along with adults clothes donated by others. We noticed the village boat had no anchor so we went back to Imagine to get them an anchor and rope donated by Darren (my brother). They gave us some pomeloes and told us to come back and they will get us some Chinese Cabage.
We went back to Imagine for lunch, then loaded the dinghy again and headed to a different part of the Bay. We found the track that took us to the village where we had repaired their boat a few weeks ago. Again they had recognised us and welcomed us in. We distributed the clothes to both adults and kids, getting lots of laughter as we tried to match people to sizes
Paulo showed us the new house he was building, while others went off to get us some fruit and veggies. They brought a spade that had split while they were digging and asked if we could fix it. We took it with us when they drove us back to the beach. I went to Imagine to get the angle grinder to cut the split section off. That didnt last long as the battery was almost flat. So it was old school time and use the hacksaw.
We then returned to Vilag Numa Fiv and found Rasras and his mother who invited us back to their house and gave us some Chinese cabage. They told us there had been five boats come into the Bay this season and we were the only one that offered them anything for their fruit.
Back on Imagine B prepared dinner using the Chinese cabage, which we would call Bok Choy.
Yesterday, as usual B and I were up at dawn and had a swim before breakfast. Then dropped the dinghy in the water and headed to shore. The manager of Ratua resort, meet us on the beach and told us a bit about the resort that was owned by her family since 2016. She invited us to look around the island, which we did. We strolled along the beach, then inland where we came across the horses. Guests are able to ride along the beach.
We returned to the bar where we were told how the resort came about. A Frenchman came to Vanuatu and fell in love with the island and the locals. He owned a small village in Bali, so he disassembled the village and shipped it here. This is why the resort has a Bali feel.
In the afternoon while B and I sun bathed and snorkelled from Imagine, Robert and Valerie went ashore to check out the island. This morning it was aufwiedersehen to Robert and Valerie as they decided to spend a night at the resort before going to Luganville for their plane. We then set sail south, making our way to Port Stanley before dark.
