Back in Brisbane
06 April 2012
Kristina
Here is Songline anchored at Noosa Sound over the summer.
thank you Peter for the photo.
Diving Paradise
15 October 2011 | Muniara Island, Conflict Island Group
Kristina
We loved the diving in the Conflict Group of Islands. The resort at Panasesa Island also reports some great diving sites at:
www.conflictsislands.com. Our first anchorage was at Irai Island: 10 45.973'S:151 42.20'E This calm weather day anchorage is OK in a south easterly but we were pleased to dive the anchor for a safety check as it is in the least steep part of a big long drop off. We had a great dive seeing manta rays, barracuda and lots of big fish. Then we anchored behind the pilot boat at Panaboal Island for the night and had a coral trout we'd caught for dinner. This was our first quiet night in weeks. Next day we motored down to Muniara Island and dove the eastern drop off between Auriora Island and Muniara Island. Another magical dive and more big fish. I wanted to stay for more diving but home was tugging at the heartstrings so we headed through the pass between Muniara and Panarakuum Islands (with about 10m all the way through the pass) then set the sails for Cairns. The current in the Jomard Channel added 4 knots to our speed and with an escort of dolphins we were quickly out into the Coral Sea for a moonlight sail. The weather didn't hold but at least with the extra wind we were back in Cairns on Wednesday morning and glad to be in civilization again.
Retracing our steps
12 October 2011
Kristina
After a huge few days in Alotau with a big social calendar for the weekend, especially the rugby and a quick internet catch up, we departed east again. Henry joined us for the trip and we stopped in to visit Jack and his family at Hemoe Bay on Basilaki Island. Jack is doing really well now his boat is repaired and he has returned to the business of carrying passengers and cargo to and from the mainland. The whole family is looking better with improved clothes, a carry bag for his wife and even the kids were wearing clothes this time. Phil had more business discussions with Jack encouraging him to open a bank account to save for boat maintenance but it must be tough at the hand to mouth level with a grade two education.
Next stop was our all time favourite anchorage at Hummock Island. Over our time here we have made friends with many people so we put together a care bag for each family on the island and the pastor organised a giving ceremony for us on Friday morning. It was a pleasure to be able to help these people. Then early on Saturday morning Songline beeped the horn as we motored slowly out through the reef and a series of calls went up around the island. The calls echoed across the island, the sailing canoes in the lagoon and Phil on the foredeck - and quite a few tears were shed. We sailed on the Conflict group.
Photo: Phil explores the P38 WWII plane wreck on Basilaki Island