On our way to Tanna - Vanuatu

Quartermoon
Mike Share & Sammy Byron
Tue 21 Sep 2010 23:34
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?!)
 
Some of the mega yachts at the marina were pretty amazing and one guy we chatted to works on a 120 ft motor yacht which is the "support vessel" (ie: carries the toys and staff quarters) to another 150 ft motor yacht. It had 15 crew, a 7 ton tender, a classic mahogany Venetian speedboat, an offshore fishing boat, a crane, jet ski's and a fold-up helicopter on the back!
 
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.