[password] Boatfloat66

[position] 16 26.409S 167 47.038E

[speed] 0knts

[heading] 0T

[status] Just about to leave Port Sandwich for the Maskelynes. This place has been quite a pleasant surprise. We passed up on coming in here previously due to its shark infested reputation. While we certainly haven't been swimming here the local hospitality has been great. Rock and his wife at the Rainbow Store have been throwing a steady supply of fresh food at us and have been great to talk to. They even helped solve our questions regarding the supply of ceremonial pigs around Vanuatu (you might be surprised how many Vanuatu pigs have Facebook accounts!). The French legacy is still strong here with most of the locals speaking French (as well as their local language and Bislama and English). The fact the Rock's pig is named Jean Marc and his cat is Napoleon probably should have given us the first clue but we were thrown off by the sight of the cat, pig and dog being best friends. Also a tip for the guys visiting Vanuatu; if someone offers to change your batteries tell them that you are happy with the old ones you have (poor Jean Marc). Anyhow, when we took a walk to Lamap yesterday (the big smoke) we got to brush up on our French again. Actually Kris caught me using three different languages in the same sentence. Strangely enough, she seemed to be the only one who noticed (and the guy at the store gave me what I asked for!). Lamap is a few miles from here but has a post office and a bank. (Just to clarify; the bank is a room with a counter and a table with money on it). OBTW - my hearing is coming back and the tinnitus is subsiding. This happened immediately after I spoke to a doctor in Noumea (not that he was able to help me). I guess whatever it was knew that the gig was up.

[weather) 2kt SE, 0m swell (in the bay), 65% cloud, 1013 baro
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