On our way to Tanna - Vanuatu
Quartermoon
Mike Share & Sammy Byron
Tue 21 Sep 2010 23:34
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Morning all,
So we are day 3 of our sail to Tanna and as
always it's been tough getting back into the swing of things. Leaving Fiji was
remarkably smooth although poor Mike took 3 hours trying to check out because
the 3 guys in Customs and Immigration couldn't find a pen between them and
then misplaced some photocopies and were
generally crap!
Staying at Port Denarau marina was great and it was
good to be able to use all the facilities, especially the showers and washing
machine. Unfortunately they had just implemented a water
ban at the marina (It hasn't rained in Fiji for 18 months!) so poor QM did not
manage to get fresh water wash down which I had been dreaming of giving her
for weeks. (aren't I sad?!)
After checking out, shopping and all the usual
boring pre-departure stuff, we decided to exit Fiji via the Malolo pass. The
pass is between to huge surf breaks one of them being the famous
'Cloudbreak' and it was pretty impressive
surf. There were quite a few surfers out there as huge swell has been
hitting Fiji due to bad weather down near NZ.
Sleep didn't really happen for us last night
, a crap swell and wind in low 30's so Mike
is now sleeping to try and catch up. I am next.. Yippeeee!
We were cruising along at 6.5 knots with
a reefed mainsail and headsail and it was feeling a lot more comfortable. I was
even able to make scrambled eggs and beans on toast for brekkie. Unfortunately
the balsamic vinegar decided to roll around in the cupboard and smash, filling
the cupboard, fridge and bilges - so now the boat smells like a
chippie... oh the joys.... The wind dropped this am so now we are
goose-winging and rolling away at about 5 knots, which is painful but at
least the seas are calming too. I think it's time to get back on
land and sail Wednesday nights only!
So only 200 nm to go until we reach Port Resolution
in Tanna. Looking forward to seeing Emma (finally a chick onboard!) and can't
wait to climb the Volcano! Apparently it is the closest you can get to a live
Volcano anywhere on earth (like inside the caldera - apparently you think the
lava is going to land on you!) and supposedly the fireworks at night are
spectacular.
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