Efate Island - Havannah Harbour

Our 6 hour trip from Maskelynes to Efate is boringly smooth. Glen and Trish were disappointed (Not) that we didn't have huge waves and howling winds. Upon arrival we adjust our chosen anchoring spot several times based on a variety reasons and finally decide on a spot directly in front of the village of Port Havannah. It is a beautiful spot and two other sailing vessels are anchored there as if to confirm the wisdom of our choice. A small river veiled by mangroves sends out a procession of local dugouts from the village. Frank engages us in conversation and we run down a list of fruit and vegis that we could use and are happy when he says he can get us fresh tomatoes and green coconuts. He'll come back in an hour. His spunky young son is paddling beside Frank in his own canoe that he has made and is quite proud to pose for a photo. They'll be back in an hour, so we decide to see what is behind the mangrove curtain and pile into the whaler to check it out. A surreal world of rain forest jungle and quite greets us. The river is only about 2 feet deep and clear as glass so we can see the little critters crawling on the bottom. It is fun creeping along through the overhanging branches and vines, glimpsing houses set back on the bank. One family has built a retaining wall of coral rock thus creating their own private swimming hole, which in today's heat is being used to it's purpose. An Australian woman calls hello to us and our ensuing chat reveals that this is the home of her son and daughter-in-law. We learn lots things just by saying Hi to strangers. The river shallows to the point that we get grounded and have to turn back. Frank is waiting by the boat for us with our shopping. Nice. Happy hour consists of homemade pina colodas using our new fresh coconut water and flesh with the last of our Fiji pineapples. A dash of Malibu Rum - Yummy. The usual evening calm is disrupted by a sudden squall. Rain dumps from the sky and we get our howling winds. Guess what? Yep, the catamaran anchored beside us drags off of it's anchor and comes very close to impact with us before he gets his engine started and moves off to re-set. All kinds of entertainment for us.

The morning breaks bright and sunny. We move out back down the harbour about 2 hours to a location called Paul's Rock. This is noted to be a great dive site. We anchor the big boat away from the reef and ferry to the site in the whaler. It really is a nice dive with lots of fish, some new ones that we have only seen in books before, so that is a bonus. Our dive takes about an hour, we rinse off the gear, haul anchor and head for Port Vila - about an hour away. Port Vila is the capital city and is located on the south east corner of Efate Island. It has a large deep harbour. Our initial parking spot has a slight roll to it, but is manageable for comfort. The guys are ecstatic, they finally have internet. Wow, the stress it causes to be disconnected for 2 weeks. About 5:00 pm a rain storm rolls in challenging our holding position and filling the whaler with rain water. Thankfully it passes in an hour and we can bail the whaler out (self bailing pump is broken - new one still in package!). We are wanting a bit of urban pampering (dinner out) so break out the flash light to find the dingy dock as we motor slowly through the sleeping boats (boats are sleeping - people aren't it's only 6:30 pm, but dark). In Port Vila, they have these buses (mini vans) that charge $150 vatu per person (approx $1.50) and take you pretty much door to door, but they do pick up and drop off others along the way. This is much less expensive than taxi rides if you have the leisure time to ride around a bit. So we grab a bus and head for Kanpai - Japanese Restaurant. It is a lovely evening out and no more rain. Unfortunately though, the storm has raised the swell level into the bay and we spend the night rocking. Trish figured it could be patented as "fitness in bed" as you have to brace your body from one side to the next to keep from rolling out.

Needless to say, but the first thing we do in the morning is up anchor and go searching for a calmer spot.

Today is Oct 5 and Glen and Trish fly out of Vanuatu for Australia. We finish our day off doing boat stuff, it is "Constitution Day Holiday" here.

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