Iolea

Iolea

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We are an Australian couple (Paul Duncan & Kate Owen) who bought Iolea in Annapolis USA in 2010. Our cruising adventure started with a couple of years cruising the Caribbean. In 2013 we transited the Panama Canal and crossed the Pacific to NZ. For the past 3 years we have been cruising NZ (north and top of the south), Fiji and Vanuatu.  We arrived in the Solomon Islands early April following 6 months sailing through Kiribati, The Marshall Islands and a short stop in Kosrae.  This year we are heading back to Vanuatu and then on to New Caledonia before returning to NZ and preparing to head back across the Pacific in 2018.

Recent Updates

Iolea - June 23, 2017
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In Port Vila waiting for batteries to be delivered from NZ.

Iolea - June 11, 2017
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Arrived Luganville 9 June after a long motorsail into SE-S winds but otherwise easy trip. Good to be back in the big smoke.

Iolea - May 25, 2017
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Dnendo Island, Santa Cruz. Greeted by Moses who was fishing in his dugout and shown where the yachts anchor. Another picturesque bay and very quiet. I don't know how we will cope with civilisation ... Read More
Iolea - May 25, 2017
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Marau Sound, Guadalcanal Island. Beautiful area home to the two Joe's and two Gus's. The Joe's traded citrus, beans and stories for flour, soap, and clothes. The two Gus's run the Tavanipupu resort ... Read More
Iolea - May 18, 2017
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Honiara. Arrived a couple of days ago and enjoying eating out and good internet. Honiara not as bad as its reputation. People friendly and helpful. Will head on east over the weekend probably.

Iolea - May 18, 2017
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Mbilie. Saw our first Manta Ray on arrival. Milton greeted us and helped with anchoring. Nice layback area which is very beautiful. Lisa runs a dive operation on Tambapeava Island and is a mine ... Read More
Iolea - May 18, 2017
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Batuna. Pretty village and good market on Thursdays.

Iolea - May 18, 2017
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Matiu Island. good diving and snorkelling along the wall but keep an eye out for sharks. Seems to be a gathering area and they were quite active around 50 metres off the west of Matiu.

Iolea - May 18, 2017
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Matimbako Island. Lots of bombies and took some unravelling to get the chain up but really nice snorkelling in the pass on the western side and along the wall on Karikana island. Spectacular Gorgan ... Read More
Iolea - May 18, 2017
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LuLu's island. Lulu is a delightful rastifarian local with lovely little carvings, produce, and lobster. He and is friends were all friendly but not pushy - just plain nice people.

Iolea - May 1, 2017
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Uepi Resort. Giant versions of reef fish we have seen elsewhere. We contacted the Resort beforehand and were able to have lunch yesterday, lobster wraps and apple cake, both excellent. Dive today.

Iolea - April 29, 2017
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Seghe, small village, large airstrip and Lagoon side bar run by a woman who has lived in Bathurst and Nambucca Heads

Iolea - April 26, 2017
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Matikuri Island. We had been looking forward to the locally run lodge here but unfortunately the owner died recently and it seems to be closed.

Iolea - April 26, 2017
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Viru Harbour. For the first time met by women in acanoes wanting to trade f&v for school books and pencils. Nice change from carvers.

Iolea - April 26, 2017
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Egholo Bay. Met by Boise who arranged a show of carvings, eggs and f&v. Beautiful bay and lovely people as usual.

Iolea - April 22, 2017
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Munda. We celebrated Paul's 55th with Rod and Brenda on State of Mind Last night. Another picturesque anchorage with mountainous Rendova island as the backdrop.

Iolea - April 22, 2017
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Lola. island and the easy company of Jo and Lisa at Zipolo Habu Resort. A tranquil setting with a regular evening show of reef sharks, and mullet stirring up schools of fish. Could have happily ... Read More
Iolea - April 17, 2017
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Gizo with 7 other yachts. The most they have seen this season.

Iolea - April 17, 2017
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Fat boys resort and our second cooked meal off the boat. So nice to have someone else do it. We stopped in at Sanbis just north of here for pizza a couple of days later and had a long chat with ... Read More
Iolea - April 17, 2017
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Noro, Solomon Islands for check-in after squall- ridden but otherwise uneventful passage.

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