We decided we needed some exercise so we invited Laura and Ian to join us on a walk to the little airstrip, we had seen the road to it yesterday. Typically we landed up walking in the midday heat, it was a very steep climb, the road has been paved as it is so steep, impressive as there seems to be only one vehicle in the village. We had some good views and spotted some lovely greeny brown parrot like birds which I have yet to identify. We raced back down the hill after a climb of about 4kms, the aairstrip was still another 5 kms away, I was absolutely drenched and boiling hot, so we went and jumped in the pool we swam in yesterday. It was blissful as the water was really cool.
We got back to Rala at about 3pm and said our goodbyes as we have decided to leave this evening, There is absolutely no wind for two days, so we are going to have to motor the whole way. We are heading to Port Vila the capital of Vanuatu, we need to do a bit of provisioning as we have our mutual friend Jane Greening joining us for a couple of days on Sunday. She and Mike are visiting from Australia and staying at a resort on the edge of town – such a coincidence. Jane was responsible for introducing Rowan and I in Johannesburg, where she and I had worked together, and she had shared a house with Rowan….40 years ago! We have seen them a few times since, but we will have plenty to catch up on.
I’m on the first shift, the wind has barely got above 7 knots and nobody is about. We are slowly motoring, as we want to arrive in daylight.
The village saw mill in operation
The big trunk being cut up
PolePole and Rala in the bay below us
The only paved road
It is a holiday today in Vanuatu, they were having a huge fishing session with nets that we have not seen on any of the other days
Leaving Rala behind in the evening light
We have enjoyed our comfy stay in Dillon’s Bay
Twilight with a sliver of a new moon
We are off out to sea again
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