Monday 14th (Bastille Day)
Well did I say fair winds! That is exactly what we had for most of the crossing to Ouvea, running the screecher and then the screecher and the jib with full main and fickle winds until the last 20nm when we cracked 10kts and nearly surfed into the lagoon at Passe de Coetlogon. The white sandy beach and the crystal blue water with no seaweed, reef or rock was almost blinding! This beautiful beach stretches for 26 kms and has a backdrop of coconut palms, the logoon’s depth about 10mtrs. Unlike the crossing where the water was 2500, so no standing up there! We have seen old man turtle and the drifting and illusive manta ray, and small schools of fish and squid hovering under the hull. Ashore the locals have played soccer, picked up shells and fished with small nets. We hired a local guide (Pierre) thanks to Cecilia at the Hotel for her advice, who drove us the length of the island and showed us his local haunts and places of interest. The missionaries have done a good job here, there are nearly more churches than places to eat. We were looking forward to seeing the local soap factory where the soap is made from coconut oil, but it was closed. So was the Vanilla plantation unfortunately and the local Snack Fassy, oh well we settled ourselves at the magnificently presented and waterfront resort Hotel Paradis D’Ouvea for lunch thanks very much! After checking the weather in the morning, we hope to depart to do the 185nm (about 30hrs) to Aneityum Island the southern Island of Vanuatu if not Tanna to the north, wind dependant. And will clear customs at Port Resolution where Captain Cook dropped in on his pacific round many years ago.
To those who have their birthdays this week, you know who you are, we are thinking of you!! Have a good one! We have narrated some pictures in the album section, right of the blog page if you have time to view them.
From the logoon…
Carol and Sam