position S13 52.340 E167 33.240

Ocean Rival Journey Log
Adam Power Diana Power
Thu 13 Jun 2019 12:02

Thursday 13th June

A disturbed night as the anchor had dragged. I was alerted about 2am by the chain rattling over rocks or coral and checking our position  on the gps was shocked at how far we had moved- luckily into deeper water.  The bay looks really sheltered but there are viscous gusts which sweep off the hills in the evening- the term katabatic winds comes to mind. I moved back to near the Norwegians but then once the anchor was paid out saw I was too close so had to try again and we are now a well away and seem to be holding O.K.
I explored ashore in the morning and found a very helpful policemen (Roger) who told me where to find the customs office and offered me use of his computer to check my emails. All the admin buildings are grouped in the one area behind the dinghy landing beach, all very solid concrete structures. Actually his computer didn't work for me so he marched over to the tourist development office and commandeered a computer there. I was really after some wifi to connect my  tablet and download some missing chart sections for the route ahead but that wasn't available.
I completed the regulation customs forms and handed over the last of our Vatus to gain a clearance zarpe.
Another go at the electrical issues- charging from the alternator is still iregular. The new batteries are taking charge from the solar panels better but not the alternator. I thought I had found the loose connection but then down went the amps again.
Diana felt strong enough for a shore trip in the afternoon but stopping on route by the Norwegians to say goodbye we were invited for coffee and chat. They are extremely hospitable and spent much of their time here ferrying locals back and forth, even taking the yacht club owner and his family for a sail round the bay. Thomas has had some bad news about his father who is in a cancer hospice and not expected to last more than a few days, but he is minded to carry on with his circumnavigation as his father would certainly wish. It would take so long to get back to Norway from here that it is unlikely he would make the funeral, let alone say goodbye. We looked at the route through to indonesia and he had some good ideas and suggestions for stops.

We found the yacht club on the beach and this one has a charming little bamboo clubhouse with neat swept sand garden. Another Roger runs it with his family and he gave us a thorough run down on the island. They lost their bookswap library along with yacht flags in cyclone Pam and he was so grateful to the Norwegians for giving them a sail as no-one had asked them aboard a yacht before. The Lonel Planet guide mentions a good days hike to a waterfall but Roger thought more like 2 days tough hiking and also thought a dispute between family groups might make the arrangements tricky. Sometimes it is hard to know how reliable distance estimates are and if disputes are invented to hang on to your  tourists.

We walked along the high street and found a shop selling bread and then chatted to the Malaria official and a 7th day adventist preacher who introduced themselves. The Malaria official described Dianas symptoms quite accurately and when he mentioned that the clinic can do a pin prick blood test with results in 10 minutes Diana was sold and booked in for the morning.  They have managed to eradicate malaria from this region on Vanuatu although it still occurs elsewhere. We then ran into Roger the policeman on his quad bike and he promised to ring the clinic and make sure they run the test for free. Then a 3rd man we spoke to on the beach turned out to work in the hospital doing the blood tests. It was like they had heard about Diana and lined up all the skittles in row for us to knock down.

A passing volcano.

It is a very attractive bay