A day at the races and other good times.
Southern Princess
John & Irene Hunt
Mon 14 Jul 2008 22:49
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17:44S 168:19E
Before I get into more detail have a look at our
latest grandchild, isn't he beautiful? Guess it only means something to sloppy
grandparents!
 Copper, 364 days old 30th June
2008
Arrived Port Vila,
Efate, Vanuatu at 08:30 local time after a right nasty trip. Three days of
awkward seas, swell from the south and a breaking wind wave from the ESE. A
lumpy sick making sea. During the last 36 hours we only had about
1/3rd of the main set and only 1/3rd of the genoa. At times the wind was
blowing 40 knots and just prior to this reefing configuration the boat was doing
12.5 knots, way too fast in that kind of weather.
As will happen the wind backed in the wrong
direction and slowly we were being force southwards towards Erromango. Around
midnight we gybed which entailed rolling up the poled out headsail and after
gybing, we left it rolled up and sailed into Port Vila under the well reefed
mainsail and still managed to average 7 knots. Wind anywhere from 25 to 35
knots.
Not a trip I want to do again!
Port Vila has changed quite a bit since 2001. New
Sebel Hotel on the water front, some new stores and up market liquor
stores. A new wine shop attracted my attention and while wandering around
noticed a crate of Penfolds Grange Hermitage (claimed to be Australia's finest
wine) at the equivalent of A$280 a bottle. Not something I would of thought
available in a third world country! The local Bon Marche super market has a
great range of French wine from A$13 a bottle so we will be able to stock up for
the 6 weeks we are here. We are off tomorrow for a trip around the island; more
later.
Attended the local hospital for finger x-ray today
and everything is OK. No cracks or fractures. The local medical centre is 100
metres away and they cleaned the wounds up and re dressed so just have to keep
them dry and wait for them the heal. I am very lucky considering. Dropped off a
bottle of Moet to Williwaw as a thankyou; they did great work.
The highlight of the trip around the island was a
visit to a traditional village. They scared the heck out of us as we were
walking in through the dense jungle by sneaking right up to us and letting out a
blood curdling yell. The head man led us through a demonstration of the
traditional crafts from which they managed to live day to day. A spider wove
lots of silk which they then used as a fishing lure. A mutually reliant
relationship where the natives fed the spider who kept spinning webs for
fishing.
Saturday was spent at the races. Friday night was a
huge Calcutta hosted by the local Kiwanis Club as is the entire Vila Race Week.
International stewards and a well known race caller from Queensland. We missed
it but on Thursday night there was a black tie ball. Quite the social week. Be
worth getting a group together and flying up for the week. Have to book early as
all the hotels were full!
  Lovely fellow isn't he? Not
poisonous and the web gets rolled into a string for fishing.
  Fierce looking buggers. The guy on
the right has a traditional mobile phone carrier around his
neck!
  The kids were adorable and really
got into the act. The guy of the right has just walked across very hot rocks in
his bare feet.
  Moet at 10:00 prior to the first
race. Only A$45 a bottle - to good to go past. The latest in Moet neck
wear.
To the left Tony Black, John
Gilder, Sue Donovan, Rigel Bricken, Irene & Annette
Black.
  The locals had a great day out.
The kids were very obliging. These guys wanted a grandstand view & they got
it. Car looked a bit the worse for wear.
  Crowd was very well behaved and
all smiles.
These kids were having a ball and a great
view.
  The local ladies were not going to
let a race day go by with out a fashion statement. I only had to ask and they
were only to happy to pose.
  They also had a men's fashion
parade. And the sheriff
made a fashion statement.
  To the left some finalists
in the 'Young Fashion Parade' and to the right a lady as colourful as the locals
(well nearly so)
  The ladies to the right are
wearing traditional mother hubbard dresses and to the left, modern Ni
Vanuatu.
  Just love the colours. The day was
a riot of colour.
Just one of the many
happy faces in the crowd.
  The boys in the
band.
Cool hair
cut.
  Another face in the
crowd
and
the winner of the ladies fashion
parade.
  The faces are
terrific.
The end of a great day!
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