Current Position: 18 43.423’S 174 06.034’W; Local Timezone: UTC+23; SOG: 0 kt COG: N/A; TWS: 4 kt; TWD: 172; Distance to Waypoint (Vaka’eitu): At Anchor; Total Miles Sailed: 5761 nm;
Comments: The wind slowed down a bit yesterday afternoon, so I could mount the outboard on the dinghy and take a Quick Look around. In the immediate vicinity of the anchorage, all the coral appears to be dead. I took a ride over to the place they call the “Coral Garden” at low tide, which was 3:55. There were patches of live coral exposed in the barrier reef, some interesting blue starfish, and a few fish. When I returned to the boat, it was 4:00, about low tide. The boat was in 22’ of water and the anchor appeared to be holding. There is spotty cell service here. It fades in and out. There is one family inhabiting the island. I sometimes hear children playing. The hull of a small boat, it looks like a sailboat that has been demasted, perhaps 25’ long, sitting in its side on the shore. By 17:00, there was almost no wind and the waves had calmed down. I had gotten some provisions from a restaurant on Vava’u called the Tropicana Cafe, and I tried a prepared meal, Chicken Balty Curry. It was very good with rice. I am going to get a half dozen of the meals for the passage. I fell asleep early, about 19:00, and woke up about 2:00. I was being bitten by mosquitoes. I closed up the portholes and put the screen in the companionway. I was awake about 2h, then fell back asleep until dawn, 6:50. There was zero wind and the water was glassy smooth. I tried the yogurt and muesli I got from the Tropicana Cafe. Both were very good. I will get some more before the passage to Vanuatu. As I was getting ready to to some snorkeling, a man on the beach called to me and asked if I would come ashore. David is the grandfather of a four-generation family, the only inhabitants of Vaka’eitu. He asked if I would take his two grandsons to school on Nuapapu Island, about 20m away by fast dinghy. His outboard was out of service. I agreed. The dinghy was filled with bananas and two large bowls of bread and custard. We were met at the dock by the boy’s mother. I returned to Vaka’eitu and did some snorkeling. There was some live coral and unusual spider conch shells with blue coloring. After fixing lunch (prosciutto tomato, and bok choy on sourdough), I slept a good part of the afternoon. When I woke up, there were two more boats anchored. I tried to visit the island where there is the remains of an old jetty and a trail that leads to an abandoned lodge. The jetty was there and remains of a trail, but after wondering around in the jungle for a bit, I did not find any structures. When I came back to the shore, three catamarans had joined the party, making six boats in addition to mine.
Comments: The wind slowed down a bit yesterday afternoon, so I could mount the outboard on the dinghy and take a Quick Look around. In the immediate vicinity of the anchorage, all the coral appears to be dead. I took a ride over to the place they call the “Coral Garden” at low tide, which was 3:55. There were patches of live coral exposed in the barrier reef, some interesting blue starfish, and a few fish. When I returned to the boat, it was 4:00, about low tide. The boat was in 22’ of water and the anchor appeared to be holding. There is spotty cell service here. It fades in and out. There is one family inhabiting the island. I sometimes hear children playing. The hull of a small boat, it looks like a sailboat that has been demasted, perhaps 25’ long, sitting in its side on the shore. By 17:00, there was almost no wind and the waves had calmed down. I had gotten some provisions from a restaurant on Vava’u called the Tropicana Cafe, and I tried a prepared meal, Chicken Balty Curry. It was very good with rice. I am going to get a half dozen of the meals for the passage. I fell asleep early, about 19:00, and woke up about 2:00. I was being bitten by mosquitoes. I closed up the portholes and put the screen in the companionway. I was awake about 2h, then fell back asleep until dawn, 6:50. There was zero wind and the water was glassy smooth. I tried the yogurt and muesli I got from the Tropicana Cafe. Both were very good. I will get some more before the passage to Vanuatu. As I was getting ready to to some snorkeling, a man on the beach called to me and asked if I would come ashore. David is the grandfather of a four-generation family, the only inhabitants of Vaka’eitu. He asked if I would take his two grandsons to school on Nuapapu Island, about 20m away by fast dinghy. His outboard was out of service. I agreed. The dinghy was filled with bananas and two large bowls of bread and custard. We were met at the dock by the boy’s mother. I returned to Vaka’eitu and did some snorkeling. There was some live coral and unusual spider conch shells with blue coloring. After fixing lunch (prosciutto tomato, and bok choy on sourdough), I slept a good part of the afternoon. When I woke up, there were two more boats anchored. I tried to visit the island where there is the remains of an old jetty and a trail that leads to an abandoned lodge. The jetty was there and remains of a trail, but after wondering around in the jungle for a bit, I did not find any structures. When I came back to the shore, three catamarans had joined the party, making six boats in addition to mine.