The Vanuatu Cruising Yacht Club was the venue for a lunch party today as the fleet met up in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital before continuing their cruise of the islands. Ross Wilson, Commodore spoke welcoming the boats and mentioning the seamanship of the crew of Calli Due who double handed brought their yacht to safety with the rudder stuck at an angle. The French yacht Williwaw III were also commended for standing by Calli Due in some very rough seas to facilitate communication and provide moral support even thought attempts to board the yacht and help with repairs proved impossible.

Prizes were awarded for recent legs and Wizard and Tallulah Ruby won awards for offering rides to villagers from Port Resolution who wanted to get to the capital. Commemorative plaques were presented to the Yacht Club and Elsie from the yacht service company Yachting World who provided berthing for the fleet.

A representative of the Vanuatu Tourist office also welcomed the yachts and introduced a group of tribal dancers before an excellent BBQ was served. The relaxed casual atmosphere of the club provided a great chance for the crews to sit down with a beer, get together and say goodbye to the yachts that are leaving the rally as we approach the halfway point.

Some of the more energetic crews from Onelife, Akoya and Asolare had spent the morning abseiling down the Cascades waterfall, on an adventure tour run by Aussie expats Troy and Zeak. Their company EDGE has been running this tour since 2005; the guys showed a slide show of the morning’s trip at the Yacht Club and signed up another group willing to jump over a waterfall tomorrow. The length yachties will go to get a good fresh water shower is amazing.

The fleet will continue to explore Vanuatu for the next few days before meeting up in Espiritu Santo for the start of the next leg.