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An Inside Look: Part One

So what does it really look like to the outside world, this lifestyle of ours?

Our daughter, Anita , popped up to Vanuatu for a week’s holiday to come and investigate and truly get a feel for what life on a small yacht in the South Pacific is like.

Phil and Jenny had spent the week and a bit leading up to her arrival investigate the local lay of the land so that we could utilise our time together to the max.

The taxi dropped her off at the resort we were anchored in front of so we made the most of their restaurant and excellent steak (we live a mostly vegetarian life onboard Waimanu as she doesn’t have a fridge onboard).

Groceries – photo @thewildlifeofme

After stocking up on fresh fruit and veg from the local markets the following day, we headed off to Palikulo Bay. The Japanese fish factory there had closed down in the 80s and has basically been ignored ever since. With a flat calm anchorage and some interesting ruins alongside the shipwreck, it is a great spot. Donning snorkeling gear, Phil and Anita jumped into the crystal clear blue water for a swim and looking around while Jenny bobbed along in Zoe taking pictures of the rusted glory that is the wreck.

Palikulo Bay – photo @thewildlifeofme

The next day we sailed our way across to a cute little anchorage that has the remnants of a western structure but is otherwise deserted. It is the epitome of a tropical island paradise with no footprints on the beach, the roar of the surf on the other side of the island’s point, and deep, amazingly clear water kissing white, sandy stretches before jungle takes over.

Paradise – photo @thewildlifeofme

After enjoying the serenity of this gorgeous spot for a few hours we headed up to to inside of Malwepe Island. Oyster Island Resort is on the end of this island but is currently closed down as they rebuild it but it is one of the most sheltered anchorages we have ever come across, sheltered on all sides. The most nerve-wracking part of staying here is getting in through a channel that is only 2.3 meters deep at full tide. It certainly is a spectacular entry and is within a short Zoe ride to some of the famous blue holes.

That’s shallow! – photo @thewildlifeofme

 

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Double Trouble Has Arrived

Jenny spent the last few days running around, doing lots of errands and last minute dashes to collect the odd assortment of items one forgets one uses on a day-to-day basis unless one is suddenly without them.

With a last dinner had(Indian takeaways: something not quite so common in Vanuatu…), a bag full of said assorted practical goods, and a smile that lit up more than just a room, she was off.

Of course despite the flight being so late at night (2335 or 11.35pm) it was running on true “Island Time” but this took a bit of pressure off when most of the extra half an hour was spent explaining to the check in staff at the airport just why she was going to be up there for more than 30 days (Kiwis autmatically get 30 days to be in Vanuatu but to stay longer need an extension). Hearing of the adventures to be had, the ladies on the counter all got rather excited and made the process pleasantly smooth (although somewhat delayed). It did mean she got a seat in the second row of the plane.

Meanwhile, fit to bursting with excitement, Phil headed ashore to speak to a local taxi driver and organise for someone to be waiting at the airport with Jenny’s name on a sign despite it being 0215 (2.15am) when she would eventually touchdown.

He was so excited that neither fell asleep until 0430 (4.30am) for all the catching up to be had.

 

Today was a day of organising an extended tourism visa for Jenny, more catching up, lunch at Beef House, back to customs with passport in hand (necessary items that get forgotten when one has only had a tiny bit of sleep), more chatting, and giggling at each other while making the most of the WiFi at Beef House to send updates home.