Rally Update and Good-Byes - Luganville, Espiritu Santo Island, Vanuatu
Harmonie
Don and Anne Myers
Sun 27 Jul 2008 01:55
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15:31.420S 167:09.819E
It's Tuesday, July 22 and our first night separated
from the rally collective. From the decks of Storyteller (Australian boat
rally drop-out) we watched as the rally boats sailed over the official start
line formed by Storyteller and Southern Princess (another Australian boat
rally drop-out) on their way to Australia (pictures 1 and 2). We are
mostly on our own now and it feels a bit empty, lonely and above all,
quiet.
Quiet, because there is no more rally radio chatter
on VHF channel 77. Since the start of the rally, our radio has been tuned
to channel 77. We turn it on as soon as we get up in the morning and
sometimes leave it on overnight even when we are anchored, just in case
something comes up and someone needs help. The radio is a boater's
substitute for a phone and is used almost exclusively for all local
communication. Unlike the private conversations you have on a telephone,
however, you can't really get more public than a conversation on a marine
radio. Sometimes it's rather hilarious. For example, just this
morning...
"Chantelle, this is Viva" called one of the
American crewmembers on German boat Viva.
"Viva, this is Chantelle" answered one of the
American crewmembers on English boat Chantelle.
"This is a stupid question, but do you have a spare
tin opener?" asked the Viva American crewmember.
Interruption:
"Tallulah Ruby, this is Northern Sky" called Esolda
on German boat Northern Sky.
"Northern Sky, this is Tallulah Ruby" answered Andy
on English boat Tallulah Ruby.
"I heard you were looking for a spare tin opener?"
asked Isolda on Northern Sky.
"No, I think that was someone on Chantelle"
answered Andy on Tallulah Ruby.
Interruption:
"Chantelle, this is Gerry from Northern Sky.
I'm in town right now and can pick you up a new tin opener if you want me to."
called Gerry from town.
Interruption:
"Viva, this is Chantelle." called one of the
American crewmembers on Chantelle.
"Chantelle, this is Viva." answered one of the
American crewmembers on Viva.
"I don't think we have a spare tin opener." said
the American Chantelle crewmember.
Interruption:
"Viva, this is Viva." called Petra, Viva's German
captain, from shore.
"Viva, this is Viva." answered the American
crewmember on Viva.
"Julia, the tin opener is in the first drawer."
explained Petra, sounding a bit exasperated. "Remember? I showed you
already where it is." (the American is a new crewmember on
Viva)
"Yes Petra, but the tin opener we have is difficult
to use, especially when we are at sea and being knocked around. I was
looking for a safer tin opener."
Interruption:
"Viva, this is Gerry from Northern Sky. I'm
in town right now and can pick you up a new tin opener!" called Gerry from
town.
Interruption:
"Julia, I told you where the tin opener is.
Open the first drawer and you will see it."
Interruption:
"Was somebody looking for a tin opener?"
unidentified rally boater caller.
Interruption:
"Julia, are you still running the tin opener radio
net?" asked Petra, slightly more exasperated, from shore.
Silence.
"Julia, I told you where the tin opener is in the
first drawer." said Petra from shore.
Silence.
"Viva, this is Gerry from Northern Sky. I'm
in town right now and can pick you up a new tin opener!" called Gerry from
town.
Silence.
We are not sure how the tin opener (American
translation: can opener) saga turned out, but I can tell you that the rest of
the fleet that was listening to this exchange was pretty much rolling around on
our various boat floors, laughing. When the rally boats crossed the start
line on their way to Australia today, Viva was the last boat to cross, and for a
while, looked like she was going to detour back into the anchorage. We on the
committee boat thought for sure the new American crew member was going to be
tossed overboard for radio transgressions associated with the great tin opener
caper. Surprisingly, no such thing happened and the entire Viva crew,
including captain Petra, gave us a hearty wave as they sailed over the start
line.
We know we have made the right decision to leave
the rally and spend more time in the South Pacific, but it was and is very hard
to say good-bye to those that have been like family to us over the
past six months - especially since we will not see many of them for another two
or three years. But we will see them again. We are certain of
that. It's more than likely that we will make our way to Europe at some
point in the future and when we do, there will be plenty of places to go
where old rally friends will be lurking. We may even seen some sooner
rather than later. We just found out today that a few more boats decided
to leave the rally and are headed to New Caledonia from Vanuatu. It's
possible we may see them there in September.
Some of you have asked for a rally boat
update. Here's the latest rundown:
Basia - the Polish, German, French, Canadians were
last seen in Port Vila and are rumored to be leaving the rally and headed to New
Caledonia.
BlueFlyer - The only Irish boat had always planned
to leave the rally in Australia, where they will be joining their daughter and
buying a new home. The rally for them was a way to move their
boat from their old home in Ireland to their new home in Melbourne,
Australia. We hope to see them again when we make it to Australia next
year.
Candela - (American) had always planned to leave
the rally in Australia so their teenage boys could return to school in the
states. They actually ended up leaving the rally earlier in
Tahiti.
Far Out - (Danish) left the rally in Bora Bora to
do their own thing.
Ideal - (English) had always planned to leave the
rally in Australia, but the owner, Paul, was diagnosed with liver cancer and
flew home from Tonga with his wife Sally immediately. Their catamaran is
being delivered to Australia via the rally by Volka (the German, bright yellow
croc shoes wearer) and an American couple as crew. Ideal will be sold in
Australia.
Jus' Do It - (English) had always planned to leave
the rally in Australia. They are already on their way and plan to join the
Sidney/Hobart race before selling their current boat and taking delivery of
their new Swedish built boat in Australia. They plan to circle back to the
South Pacific islands next season and we may see them then.
Lady Kay - (English) left the rally just recently
as we did and are currently on their way to New Caledonia where they will leave
their boat and fly home for about six weeks. We will meet up with them
when they return to New Caledonia in late September and sail with them to
New Zealand in October.
Nutella - (Spanish) due to business pressures at
home, Miguel and Carmen left their boat in the Society Islands. They plan
to come back next season and possibly join the 2010/2011 rally in Australia as
we might. It's possible we'll see them in the islands next
year.
Onelife - (Italian) had always planned to leave the
rally in Vanuatu.
Southern Princess - (Australian) had always planned
to leave the rally in Vanuatu. We may see them around Vanuatu and New
Caledonia and plan to sail with them to New Zealand in October.
Storyteller - (Australian) had always planned to
leave the rally in Vanuatu. Like Southern Princess and Lady Kay, we plan
to sail with them to New Zealand in October.
Whitbread - (English) left the rally in Fiji.
The owner ran out of funds and the boat will stay in Fiji for now. The
Whitbread skipper is now the skipper on Akoya and will continue in the
rally.
Williwaw II - (French) left the rally in Port Vila
and is on their way to New Caledonia. It's possible we may see them
there.
Out of the thirty-seven boats that started the
rally from St. Lucia back in January, twenty-five are left
(possibly twenty-four if the rumor about Basia is true). We will
continue to follow the rally on the World ARC website and I'm sure we'll
continue to keep in touch with many of the boats via email. It
will be interesting to see how many turn up in St. Lucia next April. We
wish we could be there for the party as it promises to be quite something, but
we'll be in New Zealand at the time. It's possible that we may hear the
cheers echoing from St. Lucia to New Zealand though, so we'll plan to watch the
stars and listen carefully when we know their circumnavigation is
complete.
In the meantime, here in the Luganville anchorage
on Espiritu Santo Island in Vanuatu, it's quiet.
Anne |
