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Starblazer - 11/07/2015 - The second part of the passage to Vanuatu.



No, we didn't get lost; life got in the way of log writing!
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All day Monday we sailed well, averaging 7 knots, however we didn't want to go so fast because we didn't want a nighttime entry to a port where the electronic charts were frankly laughable. Both our electronic charting systems had the coast marked with straight lines and the entry to the bay completely covered with reefs whereas the chartlet provided by Hugh showed a clear entry with safe waypoints and a detailed jagged coast. Our paper charts are no better than the electronic ones. We bought a Cruising Guide and installed it on the laptop but have been unable to validate the download due to lack of reliable wi-fi.
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Monday evening we rolled away the genoa and slowed a bit, our eta at the finish line was creeping later, towards 0600 and dawn, an acceptable arrival time. At about midnight the wind dropped so we pulled out the genoa to speed us up. Six miles from the finish, at 0900, the wind almost disappeared and our boat speed dropped to 1.8 knots so we started the engine. We were safely anchored in Port Resolution before the customs and immigration officials arrived. Clearance was quite quickly achieved and John returned to the boat. While he was ashore I tidied the boat and put some washing in to soak. I don't think it was my fault, however the weather Gods decided Tanna needed rain, drizzle, showers, rain etc! My washing finally got dry on Friday afternoon.
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We had an enjoyable guided tour of the village on Tuesday afternoon, in a brief respite from the showers. John went ashore and helped with a number of electrical projects in the yacht club on Wednesday morning, fortunately he was back on board when mayhem broke loose. Mid afternoon there was a vicious squall, our anchor held fast but several boats dragged including an unattended catamaran which glided backwards through the fleet before snagging on another boat. We were in the saloon and didn't see the Marie Celeste drift past us! For the second day running the volcano trip was postponed.
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On Thursday we took our gifts ashore in the morning then had a guided tour of the school buildings with Thomas, the headmaster. We had to assemble on the beach at midday to be officially welcomed to the village before everybody went to the yacht club for the exchange of gifts. The rain, which started as we came ashore, got steadily heavier and I felt really sorry for the children who were lined up to sing to us. We set off for the volcano an hour late and therefore had to miss the Kastom Village dancing, which was a shame. The volcano is apparently erupting at stage 2, there was a bright orange glow above the edge of the crater with sporadic explosions and glowing debris flying in the air. Unfortunately the rain dampened the spectacle which we saw through a mist, last year's photos which were posted on the WCC website were very much better. Back at the yacht club some of the ladies of the village were preparing a feast for us. It was a good evening.
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The people of Port Resolution are welcoming and generous. Our gifts included woven bags and lots of fruit and vegetables, in exchange we gave a big cooking pot about 600mm (2foot) diameter filled with 18 enamel plates, bowls, knives, forks and spoons, some rice, flour, sugar, cooing oil, milk powder, tins of corned beef and tuna, cigarette lighters, a basic first aid kit and some clothes pegs plus two bags of clothing which we bought in charity shops in New Zealand. The chiefs of the four villages which make up the Port Resolution community shared out the gifts equitably.
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Friday morning we were approached by a duggout outrigger canoe, paddled by Nelson one of the fishermen. He asked if we could charge his mobile phone, no problem, and offered us some fish. I asked for two but he gave me four as they were quite small. They made a very good lunch together with the bagels I'd made on Tuesday morning. He paddled up as we were lifting the anchor, thanked us for visiting and wished us a safe trip.
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Monday evening's dinner, last night at sea, was steak, chips and vegetables followed by yogurt and fruit.


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