We're sorry to make our visit so short Miss Vanuatu, but New Caledonia is beckoning. Why ditch you so quickly? Perhaps we just came to say hello...

...But maybe an obscure music reference that only our dance crazy granddaughter will recognize won't do. A more detailed explanation of our abrupt departure from the warm embrace of Vanuatu is probably in order.

Reason Number 1: Our boat insurance policy says Double Diamond needs to be south of New Caledonia by November 1st to escape the impending southern hemisphere cyclone season. Most boat policies we're aware of require an exit by December 1st, so a conversation with our broker about this detail is in the air, so to speak and pun intended. Regardless, it's time to head south and heed their (current) advice. Cyclones happen. Why push it?

Reason Number 2: It's WET here. Actually, the rain feels rather good - to a point. It's cooling and has washed (most) all the volcanic ash from Mt. Yasur off the decks, but from what we can see (and hear from other cruisers) the sunny morning/rainy afternoon routine has been pretty much the rule here for the past several months. It's interesting how dry Fiji has been - at roughly the same latitude - and how wet Vanuatu is. No one understands what's up with this. Global Weirding perhaps? Whatever. We're not in the mood for unending afternoon showers. It's not even the rainy season here yet.

Reason Number 3: We love France and most things French (except the cigarette smoking part) and New Caledonia is described as tropical France. Even more French than French Polynesia. We want in and we do not want to be rushed out. Even if our French does suck.

Reason Number 4: Regardless of the afternoon showers thing, the next few days are forecast as an excellent weather window for sailing south to "New Cal" as they call it. 15 knot winds, mild seas, beam reach. Who knows when the next decent weather window will appear? One rule of passage sailing: when the right weather shows up - cast off. Now!

So... we're casting off and bidding adieu to the lovely Miss Vanuatu. The crossing from Port Vila here in Vanuatu to the first port of call in New Cal (the town of We' on the island of Lifou) is just over 200 miles. From there we will sail on to Noumea, the capital city on the main island of New Caledonia.

And then? Australia. But not until we've had our fill of French inhaling.

And Vanuatu? We're sorry. It just wasn't our time.