Spa Days for Tabu Soro
13 June 2020 | Port Denarau
Diane Brown | Sunny and windy
13 June 2020
Spa Days for Tabu Soro
Still no rumors or definitive word on cruising permits for foreign flagged vessels so we decided to haul out for a much need bottom job after 15,000 km nautical miles sailing. Tabu Soro was hauled on Tuesday with a 50 ton lift and placed smack in the middle of the small yard. John and Avid discussed the slings for the lift and compromised with both methods, Avid likes to criss-cross the straps front and back to prevent the full keel from slipping and John was used to tying the front and back slings together. So, they did both! Customer Service. We had hoped to be back in the water by the weekend but are now looking forward to Tuesday And, in order to enter New Zealand (fingers crossed) later this year we need a report and documentation from this haul-out of what is used and planned interim maintenance until we arrive in October/November.
A sad update on the Sea Mercy Water purifiers effort; a strike by local mariners for more money has stalled the arrival to Vanuatu the filtration buckets. They are still off-shore awaiting resolution of local union issues; so families still have only whatever bottled water the Vanuatu government can provide. Meanwhile diarrhea and other diseases rising exponentially.
Concerns regarding looting and the curfew which was moved to 10 pm (from 8 pm) is now our marker for possible release from SIP. It is tough out here to watch people who are used to taking care of their own not be able to absorb those (previously employed in tourist industry; who were contributing cash) back into rural villages. Provisioning wise on Tabu Soro, we are tossing non-essential items in order to make space for staples like rice, flour, salt, yeast and oil along with kava to join and fish with local islanders one we receive cruising permits.
On the home front, Baby Harper was due 10 June but seems to like SIP so we are waiting for our 'Zoom Grand Baby" girl. Sarah and Chris are content to let her time her arrival but with some physical hiking and elliptical work to encourage her. We all know they come when they are damn well ready....
Tomorrow, Sunday, we will work on more varnish and maintenance items we can only do when the ground crew are not around. Our Old Girl, Tabu Soro, has a nice soft bottom again.
Meanwhile I may go to the spa as well for a pedicure and manicure here in Port Denarau before we set sail (anchor out) again!