Ile des Pins

Per our depth sounder it is only 4 feet through the pass onto here. The anchorage is listed in red as only accessible to boats with less than 4.5' draft!

It is the pinnacle of beauty here!

Courage 

Rough Trip -

It was a rough trip but I finally made it! And only a day late! All was well until my ipad was stolen in Fiji. My iPad was my brain, it had all my flight itineraries, booking conformations, and immigration papers. Not to mention, it was my main source if communication. Next, my flight to Vanuatu was late, meaning that I missed my connection to New Caledonia. By then it was midnight and the airport was closed so I was put up in a very nice resort for the remainder of the night. I was able to catch the next flight the following day. To the people that helped me through the whole ordeal, via food vouchers, Internet and printer acces, friendly reassurances, and random acts of kindness, I thank you all. To the man wearing crocs, print pant leggings, and a turtleneck, please rethink your way of life for the good of man kind.

Cassidy

Found Cassidy -

Finally found Cassidy! She lost her iPad in a taxi in Fiji and is crushed, then the flight from Fiji was delayed so she missed her connection in Port Vila. Spent the night in Port Vila and finally caught a final leg to New Caledonia this evening!!! Other than looking very tired, she's survived the journey and a night's sleep ought to fix her right up! Great to have her home, now to get ourselves out of here exploring the greater New Caledonia. 

We took the rental car out all day exploring since we were between runs to the airport and it's less jungle and more high dessert than we expected. Green high dessert, but not as tropical as we drop into the lower latitudes. Really enjoying all the variety and changes.

Big Tuna

Updates to New Caledonia -

After a glorious four months in Vanuatu, we took the tiny leap to New Caledonia. They are French here, in fact very French. They even speak in this funny language, and spell words with letters you don't even pronounce!

It was a good crossing, with wind in the low 20's to the mid 30's. We now have our main at a permanent triple reef, and run the Jenny at 100%. By sailing like this we do go a little slower, but there is no need to reef, even in the squalls. And the best part is the mainsail does not jump off its track! (We are going to need to get that fixed one of these days).

We did catch a big yellow fin tuna, and the children played for hours bouncing/jumping when the waves would lift the bows out of the water, then crash landing as the boat falls from under them. This was followed by squeals of laughter, and discussions about who did the highest jump, and the craziest falls. And for the really big waves there would be re-enactments of how they flew through the air.

The motorcycle got launched quickly, and after a couple of hours of buzzing around town, had a pretty good feel for the land.
This is a beautiful country, and the whales are here, so we will probably be heading out for a month or so once we find Cassidy!

Courage

New Caledonia

We made it to New Caledonia. Upwind, but we moved along nicely and arrived this morning. All checked in and tied up to an end tie at the visitor's dock. 2 sets of kid boats down the dock, so we've been playing all day. Just still getting used to the fact that it appears that everyone here gets up in the morning, gets dressed, and combs their hair. Whole new standard than we've become accustomed to.

Birthday Celebration

Two princesses to celebrate 

Innocence's upcoming birthday.

Malekula

A local girl decided to do my hair while I was sitting working on John Eddy's toe.  I got many braids!  We saw a traditional dance and took pictures with them.  These were our first nambas to see.   

-Shannon

Epi Water Tanks

Water tank delivery in Brisbane on the island of Epi

Shopping and Errands

This is Innocence at the fruit/veggie market getting ready to go out to the islands and Vitality going to do errands with Courage on the motorcycle.

Shannon 

Good Times on Epi Island -

So on Aug. 10th we had a wonderful time visiting with the various people. Then in the evening Nina our good friend made us a wonderful 6 course meal! It was a terrific feast!

Walking through the Gardens of Epi Island

Fun Times on Epi