[p]zmg
[position] 29 45s 175 03e
[s] weather stable se15-18 occ. Showers,starry night 8.5kn 015cog
[weather] se 15-18kn patches cld showers
[END]
We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds.
[p]zmg
[position] 29 45s 175 03e
[s] weather stable se15-18 occ. Showers,starry night 8.5kn 015cog
[weather] se 15-18kn patches cld showers
[END]
[password] ericleo
[position] 30 20s 162 46w
[weather] wind S 20, seas S 2, barom 1009, cloud 100%
[speed] 7.5
[heading]075T
[status] luff car on main broken for second time....first flying fish on deck yesterday, and first tropic birds
[END]
[password] us69475
[weather]Head winds
[position]31 59s 177 17e
[speed]6.0
[heading]050T
[status]
All OK aboard.[END]
[password] Allegre$$e
[position] 36 40 S, 176 33 E
[speed] 6.5knts
[heading] 285T
[status] Now 90 miles to run into Auckland, ETA 11-00 Wednesday.
[weather] 20knots SE, moderate sea, showers.
[END]
[password]waiknot
[position]19 48.060S 174 21.182W
[status]
Now in Pangai, Lifuka Island, the main center of the Ha'apai Group. Devastation from hurricane Ian (back in January)is clearly visible here with many damaged buildings, roofing ripped off and whole houses moved from their foundations. Other Islands we have been to in the Ha'apai Group look pristine so it appears that Lifuka got the worst of it. Have updated the blog with more info about our recent travels.
Great spot for beginners, either straight off the sandy beach or from the boat. This sheltered site is packed with a variety of coral. Very calm water, nice and shallow so it is easy to get up close to all the beautiful little fish. Amazing numbers of fish, with new shapes and colours every few meters. Incredible!
A cluster of large coral heads rising up to 3m depth, surrounded by sandy bottom at a depth of 20m. The water here is crystal clear, the best visibility you can get. The rocky coral rise is encrusted with a multitude of different corals, with thousands of fish. Too many different kinds of reef fish to count them all, incredible colours, shapes and sizes. One of the best dives ever.
After another visit to the village in Ha'afeva and giving away more reading glasses on Thursday, we headed over to Limu Island on the eastern side of the Ha'apai Group. Crystal clear water - the best visibility you can imagine. The snorkeling at Limu on Friday was so good we decided to go for a dive on Saturday and we were not disappointed - this had to be one of the best dives we have ever had. So many different kinds of fish and such an amazing array of different coral - the place is thronging with life below the surface! After that we visited another little uninhabited island and Karl slaughtered some coconuts with an axe. We drank the fresh juice straight from the coconut on the shore - very refreshing! Back on the boat Heather made coconut milk from the flesh but it was rather a messy business with pulverised coconut flying about - much easier to buy it in cans from now on ;-) On Sunday we stopped at Uiha Island and the people here seem quite well off with nice houses an d surf boards and dive gear. Monday was drizzling with rain, so we caught 20L water in our rain catcher, did some washing and baked a fruit cake. In the afternoon we motored over to Uoleva Island and got there in time for the sun to come out. We went for a snorkel and a walk on the golden sandy beach while the washing dried and then caught up with friends for a drink at the Uoleva Yacht Club (a beach bar). Today we snorkeled the southern reef of Uoleva Island - one of the best snorkeling sites yet. Shallow water, packed with coral gardens, clear water and different shapes and colours of fish hovering in every nook. Arrived in Pangai, Lifuka Island this afternoon and will stay here for a few days.
[password] beavis
[position] 33 41S 173 58E
[status] Day 1 underway to Vanuatu. Great downwind run yesterday afternoon and last night. Wind on the beam now - not as fast or comfortable, but still making good time. On target to make 150 miles in first 24 hours. All is well.
[weather] wind 15-20E, seas 6-8 feet, baro 1023.8[END]