Yesterday I took a couple of friends, Heidi and Sasha, from England, for a short sail outside Port Vila.
It reminded me of the rapairs I need to have done.
Otherwise, a beautiful sail.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
EARTHQUAKE UPDATE AND HIDEAWAY ISLAND
The earthquake was 7.5 not 7.2
A Tsunami WAS generated and hit Port Vila, where Torrid is moored, but it was very, very small. Thank goodness.
Today I visited Hideaway Island. Their claim to fame is that they have the World's only underwater post office. I sent 3 postcards.
The diving was about 1/10 as good as Fiji. The "beach" at Hideaway was VERY rough coral rubble with no sand. Not high on my choices of places to revisit.
I hope to take some new friends sailing tomorrow.
Apparently I'll need to visit an internet cafe to upload some new photos. Will do ASAP.
A Tsunami WAS generated and hit Port Vila, where Torrid is moored, but it was very, very small. Thank goodness.
Today I visited Hideaway Island. Their claim to fame is that they have the World's only underwater post office. I sent 3 postcards.
The diving was about 1/10 as good as Fiji. The "beach" at Hideaway was VERY rough coral rubble with no sand. Not high on my choices of places to revisit.
I hope to take some new friends sailing tomorrow.
Apparently I'll need to visit an internet cafe to upload some new photos. Will do ASAP.
EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday afternoon I experienced a VERRRRRRRRRRRRY scary earthquake in Vanuatu.
It was reported as a 7.2 and the epicenter was a mere 25 miles away from Port Vila.
It was a real rock and roll show, believe me!
No major damage was done and NO TSUNAMI was generated. There would've been NO time to respond anyway.
All is well here and Torrid is fine.
Vanuatu is a major hot spot on the Pacific Rim of Fire.
WOW- WHAT A RIDE!
It was reported as a 7.2 and the epicenter was a mere 25 miles away from Port Vila.
It was a real rock and roll show, believe me!
No major damage was done and NO TSUNAMI was generated. There would've been NO time to respond anyway.
All is well here and Torrid is fine.
Vanuatu is a major hot spot on the Pacific Rim of Fire.
WOW- WHAT A RIDE!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
SAFE ARRIVAL IN VANUATU
I safely arrived at Port Vila, Vanuatu 48 hours ago.
The crossing was VERY ROUGH and this is the first I've been able to use the internet with a fully functioning brain! I was dead-dog tired but I've gotten some good rest and have started to move around again.
Torrid was battered by a 3 day storm and I managed to destroy my jib! I'll need to buy a new one.
The old jib was truly worn out, so after I left Savusavu I pulled into Makogai Island and gave the sail to the village. They could use the remaining good canvas to cover their roofs or use it as a sitting mat for their Kava drinking ceremonies.
A young Fijian helped me put up my old jib that I had used on my trip from Hawaii to Fiji. You may recall that that jib had been damaged before arriving in Fiji and repaired in Savusavu.
I hit a 3 day storm and my jib wound up completely shredded. All that remains is a piece about the size of a large slice of pizza! I used mu main sail for the rest of the trip.
My automatic pilot "Otto" did a very good job.
Port Vila is beautiful and has many more facilities than Fiji. The food has been just absolutely wonderful. The prices are a little higher than Fiji, but from what I've seen, so far, WELL worth it!
Torrid is battered but not broken. I'm starting the "easy" repairs and will work my way up to the more difficult ones as time and my stamina allow.
If you've EVER dreamed of sailing around the World, we have to talk. If you've dreamed of doing it solo, we REALLY HAVE TO TALK.
The crossing was VERY ROUGH and this is the first I've been able to use the internet with a fully functioning brain! I was dead-dog tired but I've gotten some good rest and have started to move around again.
Torrid was battered by a 3 day storm and I managed to destroy my jib! I'll need to buy a new one.
The old jib was truly worn out, so after I left Savusavu I pulled into Makogai Island and gave the sail to the village. They could use the remaining good canvas to cover their roofs or use it as a sitting mat for their Kava drinking ceremonies.
A young Fijian helped me put up my old jib that I had used on my trip from Hawaii to Fiji. You may recall that that jib had been damaged before arriving in Fiji and repaired in Savusavu.
I hit a 3 day storm and my jib wound up completely shredded. All that remains is a piece about the size of a large slice of pizza! I used mu main sail for the rest of the trip.
My automatic pilot "Otto" did a very good job.
Port Vila is beautiful and has many more facilities than Fiji. The food has been just absolutely wonderful. The prices are a little higher than Fiji, but from what I've seen, so far, WELL worth it!
Torrid is battered but not broken. I'm starting the "easy" repairs and will work my way up to the more difficult ones as time and my stamina allow.
If you've EVER dreamed of sailing around the World, we have to talk. If you've dreamed of doing it solo, we REALLY HAVE TO TALK.
Monday, July 26, 2010
LOG OF TRIP TO VANUATU----SO FAR
I am leaving Fiji very soon and I'll try to download my log of the trip to Vanuatu --------so far.
No luck so far, gotta go.
Wish me luck.
Mal
No luck so far, gotta go.
Wish me luck.
Mal
Sunday, July 11, 2010
FIRST LANDING FAREWELL
My departure was delayed a day as I awoke to torrential rain and gale-force winds. Better safe than sorry.
Last evening I went around to say goodbye to all my wonderful Fijian friends I had come to know and admire over the months.
I went to First Landing and said goodbye to everyone.
After a while I got up to leave and was asked to remain for a little while longer.
Usually when a guest or guests prepare to leave a trio of singers comes by to sing the traditional Fijian song of farewell. In my case over 20 people from cooks to waiters to bartenders to security staff ALL joined into the song just for me! It was VERY difficult to fight back the tears. The wonderful people honored me in a way I had never seen before.
If you want to travel to an exotic location and meet some of the sweetest, kindest people on the Planet, you can go far wrong by coming to Fiji.
It has been a year of joy and self-discovery. I'll not be surprised if I return,
NI SA MOCE, FIJI!
Last evening I went around to say goodbye to all my wonderful Fijian friends I had come to know and admire over the months.
I went to First Landing and said goodbye to everyone.
After a while I got up to leave and was asked to remain for a little while longer.
Usually when a guest or guests prepare to leave a trio of singers comes by to sing the traditional Fijian song of farewell. In my case over 20 people from cooks to waiters to bartenders to security staff ALL joined into the song just for me! It was VERY difficult to fight back the tears. The wonderful people honored me in a way I had never seen before.
If you want to travel to an exotic location and meet some of the sweetest, kindest people on the Planet, you can go far wrong by coming to Fiji.
It has been a year of joy and self-discovery. I'll not be surprised if I return,
NI SA MOCE, FIJI!
Friday, July 9, 2010
LEAVING VUDA-----------FINALLY
Tomorrow, Sunday July 11, 2010 I will FINALLY leave Vuda Marina and sail North to nearby Lautoka. There on Monday I will obtain government clearance to depart the Lautoka area and make my way back to Savusavu.
I don't plan to stay long in Savusavu. I will obtain permission to depart the Country of Fiji for my trip to The Republic of Vanuatu. As I will be out of Internet range, I'll keep a log of the trip and hopefully get some good photographs.
I am a bit sad to leave Fiji. The people are truly the most wonderful I've met----so far.
New adventures, experiences and challenges await!
CARPE DIEM!
I don't plan to stay long in Savusavu. I will obtain permission to depart the Country of Fiji for my trip to The Republic of Vanuatu. As I will be out of Internet range, I'll keep a log of the trip and hopefully get some good photographs.
I am a bit sad to leave Fiji. The people are truly the most wonderful I've met----so far.
New adventures, experiences and challenges await!
CARPE DIEM!
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