This morning we all went ashore and walked across the island to Sofren’s village. We were loaded with gifts. Sweaters for the boys and pyjamas for 5 year old Kindi. A coat for Sofrens mother and sweaters for Nassi and Sofren. Their wives got pillows (donated by K Mart NZ).
We were shown around the village. Definitely very different from our busy city life style! However the little Kindi seems very happy with her new pyjamas and was jumping and dancing, showing it to everyone around.
Back on Imagine we had a chilled afternoon.
Late in the afternoon B and I went back ashore where Sofren met us with bananas and coconuts to thank us for the gifts. The women of the village were preparing some dinner on an open fire. It looked like large pipies (shell fish) bananas and a couple of crabs. Everyone was involved including young Kindi.
The strong winds and intermittent rain is forecast for the next couple of days, so it looks like we will stay here for a while longer.
Going for a better anchorage
After a 6am briefing with everyone, we all agreed to leave the rocking anchorage of Emae and head off to the Maskelyne. It wasn’t long before we were back in the high winds and swell. This time the wind and waves were directly behind us, meaning we were surfing down the waves. This made helming a sporty game for Andrew and B as they took turns. It only took seven hours as we were doing 7kts most of the way.
We hadn’t anchored long at Awei before the locals started calling. The fisrt was four guys in a motor boat telling us about their village can do a dinner and dance for us. Not long after them it was Nassi (Sofrens brother) and the four kids comming back from school. He asked if we had a battery for their light. We didnt but we gave him one of our torches and a spare battery. Next it was Sofren just came to say hello as he knows us from previous trips here.
Tomorrow we will see him at his village again. Tonight we will have a better sleep as this anchorage is well protected.
We hadn’t anchored long at Awei before the locals started calling. The fisrt was four guys in a motor boat telling us about their village can do a dinner and dance for us. Not long after them it was Nassi (Sofrens brother) and the four kids comming back from school. He asked if we had a battery for their light. We didnt but we gave him one of our torches and a spare battery. Next it was Sofren just came to say hello as he knows us from previous trips here.
Tomorrow we will see him at his village again. Tonight we will have a better sleep as this anchorage is well protected.
A rough day
We were up at dawn, hauled anchor and headed off to the Maskelyne islands. The wind was off our back starboard quarter and the swell off our port back quarter. This made for a rough ride as the day went on (for none sailors this is bit like being in a washing machine on wool program). The wind started at 8kts and slowly built. By the time it was up to 25kts, B suggested we reef the main, so we did. Staying on course we had to go with main only but slowing down the boat (having only one sail up and no engine) it was not long for the washing machine effect to get B sea sick ( unfortunately unwell already due to the jellyfish sting, more info on previous blog) and Alex even worse. We decided that it was quicker and better for Alex, as he was very seasick, if we changed plan and headed to Emae Island (only 4 hours away). Gina and I took turns at the helm and looking after our invalid. As we went the waves and wind increased. The waves reached 4m high. Some breaking over the deck, riding up the windscreen and over the cockpit. The wind increased to 30kts and gusting up to 38kts (72km/hr). Everyone was released to reach shelter at Emae. After a drink everyone went for a nap.
Another First
we started the morning with coffee then B and I did our morning swim around the boat, while Alex and Gina finished their coffee. While swimming we both felt stings like mosquito bites. We head been bitten by sea lice. As soon as we were out of the water we sprayed our selves with vinegar. That kills the poison and stops the welts apearing. After breakfast we all hopped in the dinghy and headed across to the reef for some snorkeling.
That’s when it happened. Another First for Imagine. In the five years of sailing the Pacific and swimming most days no one has been stung by a jellyfish. Sea lice, yes, but no stinging jelly fish. Who else but B? The jellyfish tentacles wrapped across her shoulder and down her arm. There were a few stings across her chest, stomach and upper leg. We got her into the dinghy and sprayed her with vinegar. By the time we were back on Imagine the welts had appeared. There was nothing more we could do to alleviate her pain. We kept applying vinegar and rubbing ice cubes across her body. The pain started to subside after one and a half hour. This evening B still has pain in the arm but not as severe. A glass of wine should help, she said. Anyway we had a chance to see some nice little electric blue fish and a big starfish same color.
Tonight Gina is preparing dinner:We will have fajitas with chicken. Now fish has been added to the menu, as a local fisherman stopped and gave us a parrot fish in exchange for some outboard fuel.
3 in 1
Sunday B was back, we almost sunk the dinghy with her 60+ kg of luggage but Andrew was happy with the wine, chocolate and other biscuits she brought in. That was day 1!
Monday after tidy up luggage and boat, we went to the fresh market to try our luck with fresh fruits and veggies and we did get tomatoes, pomeloes, white radishes (for a trial) and that was it. The day past very quickly and around 5pm we received the message that our new crew Gina and Alex from New Zealand were on their way to the marina. Andrew and B enjoyed the sunset on the Bay before welcoming them. And that was another ride on the dinghy ( Thanks God we have a new outboard and don’t have to rowe anymore). After giving a quick tour of the boat we had a welcome drink and dinner (Andrew special Bolognese). That was day 2!
Tuesday it was time to leave Port Vila marina for some sailing and quieter places…We will finally slowly heading North. We all had coffee and freshly made Banana cake (courtesy of B) in the cockpit and it was not even 8am when everyone jumped on the dinghy to try our luck at the fresh market. That was a good idea as we found parsley, spring onions and sweet corns! (Corn on the cobb). We went then to the supermarket for Gina and Alex to get them favourite booze, extra fruits and biscuits and Andrew and B refilled the pantry with some frozen veggies, gerkins etc.( We probably won’t go for any shopping for at least 2 or 3 weeks). Back on Imagine it was time for the safety briefing organised by Andrew for Gina and Alex. And after a stop over to the fuel station (B at the helm brought Imagine at the fuel wharf) …about 300 liters of fuel added and we were good to leave! Finally some nice Sailing! After a bumpy ride around the corner, due to wind and swell heading in different directions, we enjoyed a fast sailing to an anchorage North of Moso Island. Right on time for a nice reddelight sunset, of course with a drink on the deck. That was today.
Monday after tidy up luggage and boat, we went to the fresh market to try our luck with fresh fruits and veggies and we did get tomatoes, pomeloes, white radishes (for a trial) and that was it. The day past very quickly and around 5pm we received the message that our new crew Gina and Alex from New Zealand were on their way to the marina. Andrew and B enjoyed the sunset on the Bay before welcoming them. And that was another ride on the dinghy ( Thanks God we have a new outboard and don’t have to rowe anymore). After giving a quick tour of the boat we had a welcome drink and dinner (Andrew special Bolognese). That was day 2!
Tuesday it was time to leave Port Vila marina for some sailing and quieter places…We will finally slowly heading North. We all had coffee and freshly made Banana cake (courtesy of B) in the cockpit and it was not even 8am when everyone jumped on the dinghy to try our luck at the fresh market. That was a good idea as we found parsley, spring onions and sweet corns! (Corn on the cobb). We went then to the supermarket for Gina and Alex to get them favourite booze, extra fruits and biscuits and Andrew and B refilled the pantry with some frozen veggies, gerkins etc.( We probably won’t go for any shopping for at least 2 or 3 weeks). Back on Imagine it was time for the safety briefing organised by Andrew for Gina and Alex. And after a stop over to the fuel station (B at the helm brought Imagine at the fuel wharf) …about 300 liters of fuel added and we were good to leave! Finally some nice Sailing! After a bumpy ride around the corner, due to wind and swell heading in different directions, we enjoyed a fast sailing to an anchorage North of Moso Island. Right on time for a nice reddelight sunset, of course with a drink on the deck. That was today.
Not so early start
I was up early, but had to wait for a cargo ship to enter the harbour and get tied up at the wharf before I could set off. I had breakfast while I was waiting. Then I discovered the anchor winch relay was playing up again. I had to control the winch from in the anchor well. Luckily it was calm and no wind this morning. once the anchor was up I headed off to the marina.
I guided Imagine through the southern passage and glided up to a vacant buoy, went out to the bow and hooked onto it. After another cup of tea I went ashore and dropped off the laundry. I went into town to the markets and picked up a few things, then returned to Imagine. this afternoon has been a lazy one.
Nothing to report
It’s been a quiet couple of days. The most exciting thing I’ve done is washing a few knickers in a bucket.other than that I’ve just been pottering around doing little jobs on Imagine. Late yesterday afternoon I had a visitor. A local swam out from shore (about 450m) to ask me if he could clean the hull. He will charge 6000 vatu (about $80nzd). He gave me his phone number and swam back to shore. I’m just having a drink on deck and watching the sun go down.
Terrorists attack
This morning another P&O cruise lines arrived at Port Vila. I went ashore this morning wedding my way though all the terrorists/ tourists. I needed to fill up the petrol can for the outboard and get some eggs. Well I got the fuel but the supermarket is out of eggs.
A little later I caught up with Markus and Bianca a couple thinking of joining us later. I brought them back to Imagine so they had a better idea of it was like.
I spent this afternoon sorting through photos. The cruise ship has just left, heading into the sunset and another destination.
Another farewell
Wilson left today to fly back to New Zealand. We started the day early, as two boats had arrived over the weekend and were in the quarantine area ready to go to the customs office this morning. We had breakfast jumped in the dinghy and we were at customs by 8am. Being on island time, we new the staff wouldnt be their for the 8am opening time. So we waited and waited and waited. By the time the Immigration Officer arrived at 9.45 there were 3 lots of people lined up behind us.
It only took 15 minutes for Wilson to be discharged off the Imagine and get authorisation for B to return to Imagine. From Customs went by dinghy to the craft markets for Wilson to pick up gifts before heading back to the boat.
After lunch it was time to say goodbye and I took Wilson ashore to catch a taxi to the airport. I have just been chilling for the rest of the day.
Not a quiet day
We have just chilled out today, but it has been far from a quiet day. While having breakfast on deck this morning a large vessel came into the harbour and anchored next to us. It had come in from overseas and was displaying its quarantine flag. It made plenty of noise as it dropped anchor. But more annoying is that they still haven’t turned off their engine or their large spot lights. So we may not get a great nights sleep.
Being Sunday we have also been serenaded by church singing and preaching from the shore.
