[password] NZL9424A27ZMU3791
[position] 20 55.266S 167 05.021E
[status] We motored all day yesterday until 6pm when the wind increased and we sailed/motored all the way into Lifou. We had a large sea bird hitch a ride with us for the last 2 miles. He/she just balanced on the code zero furler sheet (one of the ropes on the bow) and preened itself, happy to enjoy the rest. The anchor went down at 1am. Things look different when you enter a new place at night but nice to have woken up in front of a white sandy beach this morning. There is a lot of cloud cover but it is good to be here. 24.3 degrees at 9am. A bit cooler here than Vanuatu. We have to stay on board now until Tuesday morning awaiting the officials to clear us into New Caledonia.[END]