Rainy day

They all saw us anchored in the Bay. First to come to us was Tom. He lives on Uliveo island and runs the island tourism. He was eager to tell us about swimming with the dugongs and his village will put on a traditional dance and meal for us. Just the two of us. I told him I k new of his village and had been swimming with the dugongs last time. I told him we would get to his island when we were ready.
Next our friend Sovren came in his canoe. I told him we have some things for him and Joslin (his wife).
Ten minutes later we went ashore with clothes for Joslin, reading glasses and reef shoes for Sovren. We had size 41 shoes. They were no where near his size. So we have to find something bigger for him. He showed us around his village which had sustained minimal damage from the cyclones. But he said their gardens were ruined. They have since replanted but have little vegitables till they grow.
Back on Imagine chilling to the rain dripping of the boom and the patter of raindrops on the still water. The sound of the waves crashing on the reef interrupted by the laughter of kids playing in their canoe in the rain.
We then were approached by another canoe with three guys in it. Jimmy said he was the grand chief of the area. He offered us pompelos in exchange for biscuits and books. I said we were going to take the books to the school and gave him the size 41 reef shoes. Off they went.
This afternoon has been quiet. Just having another attempt at fixing the slow leak in the dinghy.
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Long day

It was an early morning start. Hauled anchor at dawn. We motored our of the harbour and found there was only 7kts of wind. That meant Genaker time. We sailed for about 2 hours before the wind got too high. Then we switched to head sail.
By lunch time we were sitting in the middle of a squall that stayed with us until evening. We had taken the screens off the cockpit two days ago to let more air flow through. This alowed the rain and wind pour in so much i had to put a raincoat on to keep dry and warm. The squall kept changing the wind direction and speed, so we eventually has to pull in the head sail and motor.
By night there was no moon and heavy cloud cover, we couldn’t see the mast. This meant relying totally on the charts, as we made our way through the reef and into the shelter of Awei Island.
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Quiet day

Morning brought a very overcast day. Combined with the breeze left us with cool day. Only one swim today. After breakfast it was exercise on the fore deck. Then Emma took to the hammock for the day. I did a few things around the boat before chilling out.
There was no drinks and nibbles on deck as there was no sunset with such heavy cloud cover. Instead it was card games before dinner.

Tsunami

Imagine has survived a couple of cyclones, several weather bombs, two floods and now a tsunami. Well a tsunami warning. We didn’t realy notice any wave where we are anchored. Emma’s hammock rocked a little but that’s all. So, yes we are safe.
Another tough day of snorkelling, swimming, reading, fishing and relaxing. The hammock makes for another great spot to be on the boat. There is absolutely no worries out here just enjoying the beautiful Vanuatu.

Clear water

Early morning swim was followed by breakfast on the foredeck. We then decided to move across the bay to Moso island. Anchoring was tricky. The sea bed came up from 40m only 100m from shore. We dropped anchor when the bow had 2m below us. The stern was still in 15m of water. We have been watching the wind and tide currents which are keeping us from swinging onto shore.
The water is so clear you can see the rocks and shells on the bottom. Even the fish can be seen. The first thing that had to be done after anchoring was to jump in for a swim. Emma snorkled the few metres to shore and back.
Then it was down to the days routine. Lie I the sun, go for a swim, lie in the shade, go for a swim, have lunch and then we had to repeat it all. Island cruising wears you out.
The sun is going down and a glass of wine awaits.

Hectick day

We were up at 6.30 had breakfast on the foredeck, then we were off. I released the mooring and Emma guided Imagine out of Port Vila, gliding through the still water. When we got out into the Bay the easterly wind we had been waiting for for two weeks, had kicked in. This gave us a nice sail. There was 30 minutes of 1m swell then it dropped back to less than half a metre.
Port Havana is quite deep right up to the shore. We found ourselves a section of shore that has a shelf to anchor on. Once anchored, the motor off, sailcovers on, there was only one thing we could do. Jump in the water to cool off, from this 35c air. Well we got wet. The water temperature is 30c, so we got worn out trying to swim.
That left us the busiest time after lunch. It was so hectic. Lying in the sun, jumping in the water, lying in the shade, jumping in the water. We are just worn out.

Early morning

We were up early this morning. Breakfast was served on the foredeck with a blue sky and a touch of breeze.
After breakfast we took the laundry ashore and left it to be done and went off to the market. Not all the stalls were set up so we went for a stroll through town. We stopped at the information centre. We went back to the markets and got some fruit and veg, Emma bought a skirt and we headed back.
Back onboard we realised it was now only 9.30. So there was plenty of time to do a few repair jobs. After lunch we meet up with Tony and Dannie before we ventured back to Customs to get our cruising permit.
Back on Imagine and we are just chilling watching the sun go down.

Day 1

We got plenty of sleep last night. This morning it was play the book in with customs game.
First we emailed our arrival. Then we called on the VHF, and again, and again.Then we phoned, and got put though to 3 departments before someone said come ashore and catch a bus to the customs building.
We set off rowing and luckily got a tow ashore by a passing local. Then Yachting World took us across the harbour to customs. They asked if it was us calling on the VHF this morning. I said yes and she smiled and carried on with her work. She asked if I had sent the arrival papers through by email before we got there. I said yes. She said oh the customs email didn’t work. I said I also sent it to Paul. She asked Paul at the next desk. He looked through his emails and yes he got it. But he didn’t reply because a lot of boats have been emailing and he didn’t want to reply to any. I thought that was his job but could be wrong.
Then it was on to imagration. Then on to bio security. We were told to come ashore and catch a bus and now he is asking if we have covid or any other contagious illnesses. He then told us he had to come and see Imagine.
So back we went. We then got a call on the VHF saying to meet the bio guy onshore with all our rubbish and fresh food.
We hauled anchor and moved into the marina and then rowed to shore with the rubbish and food. I was told wrong so I rowed back to Imagine while he followed in a motorboat. Onboard he wanted all the fresh food. Then he was going to take all our frozen meat and dairy products (cheese, butter and milk). I eventually talked him out of that and he left.
Being officially allowed to go ashore we headed to the closest restaurant for lunch. Next was get a SIM card. This afternoon Iris and Tony vacated the boat heading off on their own ways leaving Emma and I to chill out.
This evening we are sitting out on deck the sun has gone down and there is a light breeze cooling us down after a 34 degree day. The restaurant across the way has a live back serenading us.

We made it

We are still motors sailing and surfing down the waves. We tried sailing with the headsail for a while, until the turnbuckle on the bottom of the sail parted. It had vibrated loose. We got the sail furled away without too much trouble and went back to the Staysail.
A few minutes later Tony shouted out “the flag.” the top corner of the NZ flag had come away from the flagpole. Lifejackets on I quickly retrieved it. Tony retied the flag to the pole and we put it back out.
We are constantly on the look out for sea life. Suddenly Iris called out Dolphins. We all rushed to port and everyone went silent as a large white pointer shark (great white) cruised alongside Imagine and then disappeared into a wave.
We have made it! Vanuatu greeted us with a heavy squal as we entered the harbour. After anchoring and covering the sails it was time for a well deserved drink. We sat on the cockpit celibrating and reminiscing about the trip.
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Record breaker

Another night with little sleep. All night and today we have been battling 4m swell and wind from 26 to 32kts. The sea is quite choppy on top of the swell. This evening the swell dropped to 3m making it a little easier.
Tony hit top speed a few days ago of 8.6kts. While Emma has made a new Hull speed record. Emma was at the helm when she found herself surfing down an extra large wave at 10.6kts (32km).
Imagine is handling it fine. But at times there has been a couple of anxious looking faces as the waves hit the back of the boat.
Just before lunch while Iris was on shift a large wave started rolling just before hitting Imagine on the back quarter. The wave cleared the safety rails by about half a metre. Iris shrieked as the water poored into the cockpit. Within a minute the water had drained out of the cockpit leaving Iris standing in wet clothes. I was at the dry end of the cockpit. Luckily the air temperature is 32c and the water is 29c.
Other than that excitement the only thing to report is we have seen a few schools of flying fish.
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