[password] Bri44angel
[gulfharbor]
synopsis: on
roll call: on
updates: on
[position] 20 14.200S 169 46.558E
[status] We're here - Anelgaohat Bay, Aneityum Island, Vanuatu! Anchor down yesterday at 0900 local time (1000 NZST). The bubbly was great (but it was too early for Scotch!). Seven other boats here; one more came in this morning. Clearing in yesterday was a piece of cake; despite the "official" admonition 'drop anchor and stay on board until cleared-in' (which came with our written permission from Vanuatu Customs to land here - not an official port of entry), we were told (via another cruiser) to go ashore at 1400 to clear in; Customs and Immigration officials, just up from their afternoon nap, gladly took our $Vatu, stamped our passports, gave us our cruising permit, and said "Welcome to Vanuatu" - no official ever came aboard, or even asked us what we had on board (dang! Think of all the extra IPA and Marlborough white we could have stashed!). After a bar-b-q'ed eye fillet steak and a bottle of good French red, we turned in for a 14 hour nap in blissfully calm, quiet and warm conditions! All is very well on board the good ship Bright Angel today. Now, off to do some exploring!
[speed] 0
[heading] Nowhere for a while.
[weather] Winds calm; seas calm; 85% cloud cover - it was mostly clear earlier, and it will be again; bar 1013.56, steady.
[END]