Rising early we had breakfast, then prepared Imagine for sail. Andrew and Wolfgang set up the drogue and storm sail, so if needed they can be deployed easily. Cindy and Sue made sure everything below deck was stowed away. We unhooked from the mooring and with Sue at the helm we made our way through the moored boats to the fuel dock. This entailed performing a 180 degree turn just before overhead powerlines to allow enough room to glide up to the fuel dock. “Shit shit shit” came from the cockpit then silence as the turn took us to about 5m from the powerlines. We nicely pulled up to the dock and took on 550 ltrs of diesel.
Cindy and Wolfgang were so excited about doing their first blue water crossing. Leaving Vanuatu we put up the main only and sailed a pleasant 6 to 7 knots till 4pm. Then at shift change we reefed the main and put out the staysail ready for the evening.
Sat Oct 5 19:51 2019 NZDT GPS: 17 53.087S 167 37.322E
Run: 46.2nm (83.6km)
Saturday 5th October In the wild blue yonder Rising early we had breakfast, then prepared Imagine for sail. Andrew and Wolfgang set up the drogue and storm sail, so if needed they can be deployed easily. Cindy and Sue made sure everything below deck was stowed away. We unhooked from the mooring and with Sue at the helm we made our way through the moored boats to the fuel dock. This entailed performing a 180 degree turn just before overhead powerlines to allow enough room to glide up to the fuel dock. “Shit shit shit” came from the cockpit then silence as the turn took us to about 5m from the powerlines. We nicely pulled up to the dock and took on 550 ltrs of desiel.
Cindy and Wolfgang were so excited about doing their first blue water crossing. Leaving Vanuatu we put up the main only and sailed a pleasant 6 to 7 knots till 4pm. Then at shift change we reefed the main and put out the staysail ready for the evening.
So, Wolfgang is back on Imagine! Yesterday morning Cindy went for another Thai massage while Andrew and Sue went to the supermarket for the last few things to stock up Imagine. Back on the boat and after lunch Cindy cooked up some more food for the passage while Andrew and Sue went ashore. It was Andrew’s turn for a massage while Sue took a long shower and collected the laundry. Not long after Wolfgang arrived back from Tanna. Andrew took his bags and laundry back to Imagine and picked up Cindy. Back on shore we all went out for a lovely Thai dinner and listened to Wolfgang’s stories of Tanna.
Wolfgang went up the volcano (Mt Yasur) and afterwards slept in a thatched hut in the rainforest with an awesome view of the volcano from the porch and bedroom. Next day he moved to beachfront Rocky Ridge Resort on the other side of the island. He snorkelled the famous blue holes 1 and 2 with beautiful coral and a black and white snake. After diving at Circus Reef and House Reef he visited the Blue Cave. To enter the Blue Cave you need to swim in the ocean, take a deep breath and boldly dive under the cliff surfacing at the other side. Once in the cave there is a beautiful blue light brought on by the sun beaming through the hole at the top of the cave.
Today we cleared customs and immigration (as they are not open at the weekend) and we are leaving for Brisbane tomorrow morning after we have filled up with diesel. Cindy had one last massage, Andrew did some last minute shopping for bread and cereal and Wolfgang went to check out Mele Falls.
After a night with a slight roll coming in Mele Bay we awoke to an overcast day. We thought we might go ashore to check out the beach bar, but by the time we had checked our email and put the motor back on the dinghy, the wind had got up. That meant that we would have got very wet just to go check out the bar, so we lifted the motor back onto Imagine and towing the dinghy we headed back to Port Vila.
With Sue at the helm, she noticed a boat on the AIS sitting in the middle of the bay and right in our path. The boat seemed to be slowly heading for the reef we had just come around. As we got closer we saw it was Excel. We met Mark and Excel in Tonga several times, then again in Samoa, followed by Wallis. We pulled as close as we could alongside in 30 knot winds and a 1m swell, to find he had fuel problems and the motor wouldn’t start.
As Sue got Imagine circling Excel, Andrew and Cindy got out the ropes for the drogue, set up the bridle and attached a fender to the end of the 80m rope. Sue circled Excel closer this time as the rope was deployed off the stern. Unfortunately Excel was drifting at a faster rate than anticipated, and drifted over the fender as it went alongside for Mark to reach with his boat hook. Of course the fender went between the keel and the rudder, making it impossible to retrieve in these weather conditions. Mark hooked the rope as it went past the bow and tied it on. Then he hooked the fender from the other side of the boat and tied it off. Andrew then noticed that one of the bridle ropes had caught around Imagine’s exhaust pipe. Much to Cindy’s horror, Andrew climbed down the boarding ladder, hanging off the boat holding on with only one hand and was able to release the rope from the exhaust pipe.
Sue slowly moved forward to take up the slack, then pointed Imagine towards Port Vila. At a steady pace of 4.5 knots Sue towed Excel into the port. Andrew contacted the marina to send a boat to meet us and take Excel to a mooring as it was too difficult for Imagine to be maneuvered amongst the moored boats with Excel in tow. When the marina boat was in position Mark released Imagine’s rope and Cindy and Andrew hauled it onboard.
Sue was then able to manoeuvre Imagine between the moored boats to find a vacant mooring ball. Cindy hooked the mooring rope allowing Andrew to thread Imagine’s mooring line through the loop and we were safely moored.
After lunch, Cindy and Andrew went ashore, calling in on Mark on the way. Mark had had time to retrieve the fender from under the boat. He handed the fender back to Andrew and thanked them for their assistance.
SERENDIPITY – if the wind hadn’t got up the Imagine crew would have gone ashore and Excel may not have got help before reaching the reef. If it had not been Excel we may not have gone closer to the boat (just thinking it was fishing).
Because Cindy can climb the mast and helm Imagine she thinks she is Wonder Woman.
This morning Andrew went ashore to pay up for being on the mooring, while Cindy was getting postcards & pastries.
Back at the boat Cindy took the helm as we left Port Villa and headed to Mele Bay for a couple of days. Mele Bay isn’t as protected and has a little swell, but is nicer to swim in.
To kill a few hours Andrew with his body paint transformed Cindy into Wonder Woman. Cindy enjoyed watching the illusion take place but found it very hard standing still and not telling Andrew how to paint her. Afterwards Andrew took a couple of photos as she posed on deck. She hadn’t thought that what goes on must come off. With a slight breeze blowing “This water is f…. freezing” rang out across the bay as Cindy lowered her bum into the sea while clinging onto the boarding ladder and lathering herself with soap. After removing most of the paint she quickly went below for a hot shower.
While all this was going off Sue prepared some meals to be frozen and reheated during the passage to Brisbane.
No news from Wolfgang since his arrival in Tanna and had sent a photo of the volcano he was planning to see last night.
Miss Bossy Pants here at the helm!! We had the best day ever today (at least I did)!! No, not because Wolfgang departed for a few days. We already miss him, his corny humor & good natured personality!! For starters, because we are in Port Vila, Andrew was able to get me onto wifi. I had a chance to check emails & touch base with a few dear loved ones. After Sue & Andrew waited patiently for me to peck at the keyboard we headed off to shore.
As usual I was hungry again, so we got some good food then grabbed a bus to Mele bay & splurged on a tourist attraction, the waterfalls!! It was absolutely gorgeous, breathtakingly beautiful & well worth the entrance fee!! I swam more today than I have in the past 3wks. Water temperature was delightful & being freshwater there was no chance of jellyfish or anything else that could bite my bum! It was about a 30min hike up to the falls along the creek with refreshing swim holes, amazing flora & not too many tourists on a Monday. On the hike down we took a side trail & saw some beautiful views of Mele Bay.
Back in Port Vila Sue & Andrew stopped for cool milkshakes while Cindy looked for the perfect t-shirt for her sweet Beau who she misses along with her other DF favorites. The plan was to meet at the fruit market, Cindy waited over an hour then decided to walk to the dinghy dock where she found Sue looking as beautiful as ever after a refreshing shower. A few moments later Andrew appeared after getting a thai massage. They thought that’s where I had disappeared to as that was my plan today. They both encouraged me to go indulge myself…..AND I’m so glad I did!! Got a fabulous authentic Thai massage, was very strong & hit all the right pressure points. I was moaning in the perfect combination of pleasure & pain, the bruises will be well worth it!! Afterwards I took a long hot shower at the marina & hopped on a dinghy with some friendly folks, saving Andrew the trip back to pick me up.
We had a delicious dinner, I had 2 shots of whiskey & was pretty tipsy, Sue & Andrew just kept laughing at me…..so what’s new?? Of course I moaned & groaned over dinner, they find my noises & atrocious table manners very endearing (well Sue says amusing)!!
Back in the big smoke. We are all well rested & back on a normal schedule after leaving the Malakula islands Friday morning after breakfast.
We sailed back to Port Vila for a few reasons. To restock, catch up on boat chores, refuel, prepare Imagine for Australian strict biosecurity entry requirements & so Wolfgang could catch a flight to Tanna on Monday to sightsee & do a volcano expedition that Sue and Andrew did upon arriving in Vanuatu. We had estimated a 20-24hr sail, winds were whipping & we did many sail changes to slow the boat down as at times we were doing over 8 knots. Arriving in Port Vila at sunrise we ate & all took a good cat nap. Then we headed to shore, had good long showers, did a little shopping & enjoyed a nice big lunch out. Back on Imagine we all took naps again before a light dinner & a good movie.
This morning there was no breeze so Andrew & Wolfgang worked on repairing the minor tear in the sails while Sue & Cindy cleaned a bit as they pulled themselves away from their books. Sue cooked another fabulous dinner & Cindy has been contributing by giving the crew mini massages. It’s been so nice & we all get along splendidly, lots of laughing & good natured teasing…..
After a night with a bit of rolling as the swell made it over the reef, Cindy took the helm and we headed out of the reef. As the wind was not yet in the right direction we found a more sheltered bay for the day/night. This is Sanko Island, also known as the garden island as this is where villagers from the area have their gardens. They paddle over in their canoes to tend the garden and pick fruit and veggies to take back to their village. Generally this island is uninhabited except when the villagers decide to stay the night so there are some living structures dotted around. We should have easterly winds tomorrow making it easier to get back to Port Vila.
We swam off the back of Imagine before lunch. After lunch Wolfgang and Cindy went ashore to check out the island. Great steak and veggie dinner tonight cooked by Cindy, Andrew and Sue with Wolfgang doing the dishes as he lost in the Pass the Pigs game before dinner.
Message from Sue and Andrew to their nephew Lachlan – Happy birthday young man, hope you’ve had the best of days. Many hugs and much love.
To anyone else reading the blog we love hearing your feedback. And to Cindy’s fan club, where have you all been lately?? We all love getting your messages!!
The morning started with fresh grapefruit for breakfast that Jocelyn (Chief Sofren’s wife) had given Cindy. Then it was time for boat chores. Andrew retrieved the pro dive from the black hole. A few minutes later it was set up ready for diving the hull. Wolfgang armed with a paint scraper attacked the growth on the bottom of the keel whilst Cindy floated around the boat in the dinghy cleaning the growth around the waterline. All this is in preparation for the trip to Australia as Australian biosecurity require us to have a clean hull.
When that was done we hauled anchor and moved to Uliveo Island. With Wolfgang up the mast we navigated through the reef to a safe anchorage. Unfortunately it’s not as protected as our previous bay so a little bit of rocking and rolling tonight. After lunch of more of Wolfgang’s great freshly made bread rolls Andrew, Sue and Wolfgang headed ashore. They were greeted at the shore by Philip in his newly built yacht club. He organised for his nephew Kalkura to take us to swim with the Dugongs. Kalkoura dropped us over the side when we reached the spot where we were likely to see Dugongs. We drifted with the tide. On the edge of a beautiful coral reef we saw numerous fish and about 8 Dugongs. Upon returning to Imagine we discovered Cindy had not only finished reading her book but had vacuumed and made a wonderful meal.
