This morning while having a cup of tea on deck after our morning swim, we saw Sofren paddling across in his canoe. Very sheepishly he asked if we could help him out. He and some others were going fishing and asked if we could take the kids to school. Before I had chance to say anything B told him of course, we would love to take them to school. We dropped the dinghy in the water and headed to shore where the four kids from the island jumped in the dinghy. As we headed across to the mainland against the wind, a few waves created a small spray. Everytime it happened the kids laughed. We took them ashore at another village. We then went back to Imagine for breakfast. The morning was filled with getting little jobs done. After lunch Danielle and Wilson went exploring in the kayak. B and I went ashore in search of Sofren but he was still out fishing. We had a visit from another couple who had been in the bay fishing. They gave us some coconuts in exchange for some rope. They said they would be back in the morning with some bananas for us. This evening Wilson and Danielle were introduced to the Boat Burger. Wilson managed it but it was too much for Danielle.
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We departed Emea early this morning and headed to Awei. We had to motor sail all the way as the wind was only 6kts. As we came around Awei island Chief Sofren his wife and brother were all on the reef fishing. We anchored Imagine and went ashore. Joslin, Fred and Sofren greeted us. We gave them the nails we had got for them to rebuild their house. Sofren let us walk around the village on our own while they continued fishing. Everyone was surprised at the difference from the villages on Efate and Awei. Even though Awei was quite poor, the village was so clean, tidy and welcoming. By the time we had got back to the boat it was sundowners time. That was when Andrew realised he had forgotten to get the mince out of the freezer for boat burgers. So Danielle is preparing a meat free penne ala vodka dinner tonight.
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This morning started with a swim before breakfast. Now that we have an inverter working it was time to get some work done. B did some cleaning while I fixed the anchor winch switch and relay. Wilson and Danielle caught up on emails and chatted with family.
After lunch we all went ashore in the dinghy with the new outboard. We first went to Kevin’s village but nobody was there, so we walked along the road (bush track) towards the next village. As we got closer we could hear someone on a PA system and lively music. It was a public holiday to celebrate the province and they were partying. They invited us to join in, giving us drinks of Kava and slices of cake. The man on the microphone talked to me asking what we have seen, why we were here etc. Then introduced us and gave me the mic to tell everyone what we were doing. The island chief took us aside to tell us about the village, then introduced us to different villagers. We also gave him some educational books and pencils for the school. These will go directly to the local school, educating the approximately 100 children on the island of Emae. After the donation we were introduced to the school director, who thanked us sincerely. In his gratitude the chief offered me his wild boar tusk bracelet, but I had to refuse his kind offer as I would not be able to take it into NZ.
After spending time there, we headed back to the beach and went for a walk along it. Back on Imagine we all jumped in for a swim. By the time B and I had installed the new shower pump it was time to sit on the back deck with drinks and watch the sunset.
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We set off early this morning. B and I were up before dawn and had a cup of tea before we hauled anchor. After we left Port Havannah we put up the Genaker. It wasn’t long before the little wind we had was right behind us. So we used the pole to keep the Genaker open. By lunch time the wind started increasing and we switched to the headsail. The idea was to to Maskelyne Islands. The wind had other ideas so we changed the plan and changed course to Emae Island. Once anchored it was swim time. Then I got the outboard ready and we headed ashore to meet Kevin, 25 years old who took us to his village, consisting of 3 little shacks, and met his family; 2 older women and 3 teenagers, 4 dogs, multiple chickens and one little pig (B took a photo of it but seems like she forgot to press the button so back on Imagine it was no photos). Anyway we will go back again tomorrow.
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B and I were up to watch the sunrise. After breakfast we headed off to DHL while Wilson and Danielle chilled out on Imagine. The two kilometre walk was worth it. Although we could see the parcel which was the outboard, the weekend staff didn’t want to give us the goods. However, after about half an hour another staff member arrived and we were able to get the parcels released. They were not going to be delivered, but we not only got them to deliver but we got a ride back to the marina with them.
We didn’t wait to commition anything – we just got out of Port Vila. And 5 hours later anchored back in Port Havana where we had a nice swim. I mounted the inverter and wired it up. We now have power! We may watch a movie tonight!
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Today was a slow day. I went to the market picked up a couple of things. Then went up to DHL. There I was told it would defenatly be delivered by the end of the day. Well it’s the of the day and all that turned up was B. B is joining us again this time only for 10 days. Sometime this morning one of the freezers was accidently turned off. Luckily it was the veggie freezer, that was only half full. All the veggies had defrosted by the time I realised the freezer was off. I made a run to the supermarket and got more frozen veggies, while Wilson and Danielle cleaned the freezer out. Danielle made dinner using as much of the veggies as possible.
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The day was overcast with showers, so after breakfast we hauled anchor and set sail for Port Vila. The first part was a nice sail and we were escorted by a pod of dolphins. As we rounded the point the waves and wind were on the nose. This made for an unpleasant ride into the harbour.
Once we were on a mooring, we had lunch then headed into town. We picked up a few veggies and pineapples at the market. The supermarket on the hill had mandarins and wine.
The parts had still not arrived by the time we got back to the marina. Maybe tomorrow.
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The gale force winds grew during the day in the afternoon getting over 90kts and gusting higher in the evening. The anchor was holding her steady, keeping the boat pointing into the large storm surge waves. That was until another boat hit the bow breaking the anchor chain. It only took minutes to reach the shore. The high winds and storm surge waves lifted the boat well up the beach and dropping her on her side.
In daylight it is obvious it would take a crane and tug boat to get her back in the water.
So there she lies, a 50m ketch, with no way of getting her off the beach. The Blue Gold has been the talking point since cyclone Pam put her on the beach in 2015. A sobering reminder of how mother nature can turn on you so fast.
That is why I always check the weather and I’m always cautious when anchoring on these coral shelves near the shore. Unfortunately in these islands you have no choice as the drop offs can be 100m deep.
Danielle and Wilson kayaked around the bay to have a closer look at the beached yacht. Over the years she has been stripped of most parts. The owners are still paying the villagers every month while trying to work out what to do with the Blue Gold.
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The day started out nice. A few fluffy clouds dotted around the blue sky. We got a bit of sunbathing and reading out on deck.
We had heard of a tourist attraction called the American Pool. It was built in world war 2 by (guess who). The Americans had a base here, as they did in most Pacific Islands. There is a clear fresh water stream coming down from the mountain feeding into the American-made concrete swimming pool. The excess water pours out and into the Bay.
So we lowered the dinghy into the water and rowed ashore. It was only a short walk along the road to the pool. Mmmmm we investigated the pool and decided we didn’t really want to go for a swim.
The water from the stream looked clean enough, but the rafts of algae floating across the pool and what ever it was growing off the bottom was not inviting. The cracks in the concrete and brocken stairs indicated that it’s been a while since it was a tourist attraction.
We returned to Imagine for more relaxing and reading.
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Overcast and windy today, so we went for a sail. Wilson and Danielle took it in turns on the helm. We had a few sail changes as the wind went from 10 to 22knt and back. We have now anchored in Port Havana harbour. The rest of the day has been another relaxing afternoon. The golden sunlight is trying to break through the clouds as we enjoy cheese and crackers with a drink.
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