We left Epi heading south towards Port Vila. The seas were quite reasonable and we had a quiet journey, apart from a major fish incident. A large fish hit the rod, out went the line. the fish was massive and leaping into the air for quite a bit. then it dived. We stopped the boat but despite the fish being on a large reel were totally unable to pull it in. We tried letting out more line still no joy, a little acceleration on the boat still no joy. We stopped the boat again to consider what to do next when the line started to go again, but this time the rod started to move more and more to the horizontal until eventually it broke. At which point coincidentally the monster fish managed to eat through the line and get away. A lucky escape perhaps for all concerned.

As we approached Efate we heard Scallywag on the radio and suggested that they stop at a beautiful anchorage we had visited last year. It is basically a small cove surrounded by reefs through which you have to thread your way and then try to anchor avoiding coral bummies. Since they got there first they were able to help guide us in and we anchored safely. The bay is quite exceptional beautiful coloured sea and reefs, and a white sand beach.

Some of the villagers came by next morning and told us that they were bringing some tourists over for a barbecue lunch and would we like to join them. The lunch cost about =A36, and the islanders took us to a gigantic cave, probably a lava tube. Apparently, in the past lepers were sent to live in the cave, hence the name of the island. The villagers were clearly concerned about the spirits of the dead in the cave and there were various offerings around to appease them. The cave stretches about 600 metres in from a cliff hidden behind the shore line.

Interestingly none of the guide books mention this remarkable spot.

After sharing a few drinks with Scallywag and Just in Time we set off again for the urban pleasures of Port Vila.