A number of Vanuatu anchorages have a yacht club.  Usually basic but somewhere there may be some backpacker accommodation and there will certainly be a meeting place, perhaps a meal and always advice and help while you are on the island.

Ten years ago David started a yacht club for Dillons Bay to attract more cruisers to the bay and generate some more revenue for the village.  It would be built beautifully and have great accommodation.  David started building and builds a bit more everytime he has some money; often a donation from the yachties.  It is fantastic.  Beautifully built indeed with fantastic wood, glass brick inserts and a sense of design.  His sons help him when they can.

When David showed us Mike immediately suggested that we gather there for sundowners and get the place going even though it wasn’t finished.  David loved the idea and his wife spent the day cleaning and decorating.  We passed on the suggestion to Moana Roa, Ocean Pearl and Katy M2 but the latter two were leaving that afternoon so it was going to be Moana Roa and us waving the flag.

We made snacks, packed drinks, ice, glasses, plates, napkins and lights and dingied ashore to find that Ocean Pearl and Katy M2 were already there having delayed their departure to join in and support David.  Fantastic.

David and his wife were thrilled.  We took a lot of photographs and gave them to him so that he can print leaflets to leave at yacht clubs on the other islands.  We gave copies to Eric who runs the cruisers net for Vanuatu and seems to know everyone so that he could help publicise what we had done in the hope that others would do the same.  If visitors hire the venue and set up a party it will add greatly to the building fund for David and help to spread the word that the facility is there once it is fully functioning.

The view as you approach from the anchorage……

David and his wife behind the bar……..

Carol tries the flower behind the ear thing…..

…. while Mike mixes the perfect vodka Martini…..

The view to the anchorage……

The vodka Martinis ready to go.  Paper ornaments courtesy of Carols mum, Margaret, have been re-used many times and lasted pretty much our entire time afloat.…..

David has worked hard on the gardens too so the approaches from the village or walking up from the beach are a delight…..

On the terrace to watch the sun go down…..