Freedom and Adventure: Return to Vanuatu
by Andrew & Clare Payne 3 Jul 2022 06:32 UTC
Freedom and Adventure: Return to Vanuatu © Andrew & Clare Payne
At last, after two and a half years of Covid restrictions, we returned to Vanuatu and our beloved Eye Candy on 30th May by way of a Business Visa. We had three days of quarantine which we did at Iririki Resort. It is on an island directly across from the township of Port Vila. We are currently anchored off the Resort in the same spot we anchored two and a half years ago.
A Grand Arrival
Upon arriving we were transported to Iririki Resort by mini bus along with 5 other new arrivals. We had a police escort with lights flashing and siren blearing, locals scattering off the road and traffic pulling over to make way. We felt like we were being hauled off to jail. Thankfully at Iririki Resort we had a large air conditioned cabin with a balcony. Three days with internet access was quite doable even though the resort had been vacant for two years and is in need of urgent repairs, plus the food was pretty grim. I don't think their chef has started back yet.
Eye Candy's Resting Place
Below is a photo of where the boatyard is located in Port Vila. As you can see, Eye Candy has been well protected from cyclones during our time away with a huge hill north east of her and thick trees south west. The yard is located at the end of the bay in shallow calm water.
Eye Candy was is very good condition. No mould or bad smells inside the boat which was a great relief. The photo below was our first sight of the boat.
There was lots to do outside and it took twenty two days of hard work before we were ready to launch. As you can see below, she was looking pretty good when she launched.
We had the boatyard boys sand the bottom, paint it and polish the sides of the boat. The boatyard guys were very nice. Enok with me was our favourite, hard working and very cheerful. He picks fruit in Australia each year and is due to return to Australia in October to pick cabbages. He likes Kununurra WA but thought the local Aborigines could have joined his crew picking fruit instead of hanging around the town.
The Good News
Fortunately all the electronics started up without a hitch, much to our delight.
We ended up having to buy new batteries. Two were OK but the other two were not. Enok gladly took the two good batteries home to connect to his sola panels. We took the opportunity to replace the lead acid batteries with AGMs. The Water Maker started up immediately but the output was about half. A number of O rings had disintegrated and Andrew pulled it apart four times before finding them all.
Unwanted Guest
Whilst on the hard we had a rat on board. It tried eating its way through the ply wood lining of the cupboard containing fresh bread. The following night we removed the ply wood panel, emptied the cupboard and laid a trap.. For $2.50 we purchased the said trap, an A4 size folder that opens out flat. The surface is coated with really sticky glue. There is a small bowl of food on the board to lure the rat. We caught the intruder who was thoroughly stuck on the board and squealing at us. Andrew took it outside and whacked it behind the ear with a steel bar to put it out of it's misery. The most effective rat trap we have ever seen
Back to Normal
Today 1st July, Vanuatu is open to tourists and already two yachts have arrived. One from New Zealand and the other from Fiji. There is no quarantine required now and yesterday we gained a Cruising Permit to tour the islands to the north for the next two months.
On Monday we have a Marine Surveyor coming to do a Survey on the boat. A requirement needed to get insurance after the boat has been idle for so long. Up till now we have never had a Survey so it is a good thing. I'm sure we will need it for future insurance cover.
One of today's new arrivals has come over and introduced themselves. We will have drinks together and a chat once they are settled. We miss Col and Denise and our 11am daily coffee and catch up. We sent them the photo below from Vanuatu saying "OK, it's 11am coffee time, where are you?,
So What's Next
So next week we will take off for more Freedom and Adventure. We will revisit the islands. When last here Andrew installed electric lights in a guys hut. The main bedroom was a metre below ground level as a safe place if a cyclone came. Well they have had the cyclone and we are interested to see how this family fared.
We are looking forward to sailing and enjoying life. We will keep you posted, so until next time, take care and stay safe.
This article has been provided courtesy of the Freedom and Adventure.