Hamilton Island Race Week Day 1 and 2

Salacia is once again sailing the Whitsundays and racing at Hamilton Island Race Week.

Day One was a little frustrating after we tore our number one racing headsail. In saying this we had a good sail and finished 8th on corrected time.

Day Two

The second day of racing started with very light breezes. The start was moved to the other side of Dent Island after calls of  'whales at the north of Dent Island!' It was a day of tactics with many boats not finishing the drifting race and a shortened course. Salacia did well to keep moving and finished first over the line and on handicap! 

Home

Salacia is happily home safe and sound.  A wonderful welcome home from Yana!!!!

More pictures to come in the next few days.

Farewell Chesterfield Reef

Sunday 16 August 2015

Awoke to the glorious, sparkling waters and sand surrounding us and the noise from the largest colony of birds inhabiting the main reef.  The largest number of species of birds were predominately booby birds of different varieties namely masked booby, brown booby, red footed booby -  which we are led to believe are very rare - certainly not on Chesterfield!  Ross was educating all about the varieties and species so we came away a great deal more knowledgable about pacific birds - they were truly spectacular and not at all concerned about us being on their habitat even though they appear to be prolific breeders.   They nest on sand, tree or grass and there were chicks and eggs everywhere and obviously a great deal of mortality due in part to the chicks relying on their parents to provide food in this vast reef in the middle of the Pacific.

 

After meeting the crews from Patriot and Kerumba on shore for a great walk, swim and snorkel among the amazing coral reef we invited them all aboard Salacia for “sundowners” from 1600.  An entertaining few hours was enjoyed by all 14 who wisely thought they had best return to their respective yachts for dinner some 3 hours later while all could still manage a trip in a dinghy!

As we assisted the crews to their dinghy we were so spoiled with the stunning view of a breeching whale!  Unbelievable.  A very happy whale breeching and flipping around, happy also to be in the safe waters of this magnificent Reef…another incredible memory!

Following a delightful gourmet meal by Di we bunkered down for another restful nights sleep awaiting a new journey tomorrow as we set sail for home, sad but true, all good things must come to an end, however we will enjoy the journey back to home shores and family.

Monday 17 August 2015

Following breakfast we up anchored and motored across to the other side of the Reef to the western entrance at Ile Longue, approximately one and a half hours, so that will give you a little insight into the size of this reef!  Following behind was Patriot and Kerumba.  We anchored for lunch and then we all set off to the beach for a great walk, swim and some were spear fishing and caught a delicious coral trout which I am sure they will enjoy for their dinner this evening!  The bird colony on this section of the reef was not as intense as the other, however the predominant species was the frigate bird, a very large species with a huge wing span and the males have this enormous red gullet that they blow out like a large balloon…impressive!  We all enjoyed the large hermit crabs, sea snakes in spectacular yellow and black and again glorious coral sand beach with magnificent water for swimming…aghhhh a tough day in the middle of the Pacific!

 

Sadly it was up anchor again…with a lump in our throats and I am sure a tear in a few eyes as we farewelled one of natures most incredible testaments, hopefully we all may return one day, if not, what fortunate few we have been to experience these few days, words and pictures truly do not capture what our minds and memories will hold forever….thank you Skipper Stephen for the planning to arrive at this destination and to all who helped bring Salacia to these waters…we are all forever indebted and extremely honoured to have these memories.

 

We left the western entrance of Chesterfield, Ile Longue approx 1700 to begin our journey home, 510nm to Cape Moreton.

 

Tuesday 18 August

At 0400 the wind dropped down to under 4 knots, sails flapped and we were almost becalmed…all on deck….motors started, course set and back to bed for the crew with one remaining on watch for an uneventful night!

The sunrise was bright, albeit a few fluffy clouds dotted the horizon but we all knew a sparkly pacific day awaited us so out go the fishing lines….hoping for a fresh Mahi Mahi before we arrive home so will keep you posted on that!

Intermittent gusts and little wind so we will be motoring on and off throughout the day and following our 0800 sched with Patriot and Kerumba they have similar conditions with Patriot about 19 nm behind us and Kerumba around 90 nm behind, they did leave 10 hours after Salacia and Patriot so we are sure they will catch up…the race is on to the customs clearance by Friday at RiverGate in Brisbane river!  Will keep you posted!

Heading to Chesterfield

Thursday 13 August 2015

Under clear skies we sadly set sail from one of the most untouched, unspoiled, magnificent atolls anyone could ever wish to sight.  All aboard Salacia are amazed that in the middle of the Pacific, at least 3 days from any mainland, sits a safe harbour for anchorage of yachties needing to rest…what a vision it was and will remain a lifetime memory for all who were fortunate to experience such beauty.  The swimming in the turquoise waters among glorious corals and turtles was hard to leave behind.  The skies soon turned to a blanket of stars and the wind picked up to ensure a good sail to Chesterfield Reef.

Friday 14 August 2015

A rather strong wind and turbulent ocean provided a challenge for crew needing to sleep between shifts on deck…nonetheless all rallied to the task and had a brisk final day and night sail into Chesterfield with two reefs in mainsail and all other sails down to try and slow down Salacia to ensure a safe, daylight entry into the Chesterfield Reef. We did not want to hit any coral bombies in the middle of the Pacific…no slips here to fix a keel!!

Saturday 15 August 2015

A tired crew sailed into Chesterfield and yet again not at all disappointed!  What a sight to see…sandy coral ocean beds that presented the most turquoise waters ever to be seen!  Whilst trolling off the stern and coming over the reef shelf into Chesterfield there was much happening with sails to come down in 20 plus knot winds and now a magnificent metre length Wahoo fish at the end of the trolling line…mmmm decision…sails or fish???  Fish won out only to arrive on the back board and jumped off!!! One less fish meal for crew!  However, a tasty blue finned tuna caught yesterday awaits the table of Salacia tonight!

 

Kerumba was anchored safely in Chesterfield and Salacia soon followed, a mile off her stern and several hours later in came Patriot….well this was too much for Kerumba..they thought Salacia and Patriot were in “party anchor” so upped their anchorage and moved closer!  Looks like a couple of big days ahead, celebrating the arrival into one of the most stunning anchorages in the world.  Kerumba tells us there were whales playing off the coral shelf late yesterday so we will keep a lookout!

 

Washing done, hung out and back in, a fleeting visit from Tam and Neil off Kerumba, a few hints handed over to skipper of Patriot, Tony, on how to repair his auto pilot and almost ready for cocktail hour..again!?!?!?!

Another memorable day at the ocean office…more tomorrow.

Aore Island with family

Wednesday 12th August
1130 Anchored at Ile de Houn in D’entrecasteux Reefs NW of New Caledonia. These magnificent reefs are part of a French managed conservation reserve. As such there are lots of rules, and we had to obtain permission from French authorities to visit here - more than worth the effort!
Left Aore Island 0045 on Tuesday  morning after spending a delightful week with Naomi, David, Lucy and Stella.
Highlights of the week at Aore, include the family friendly nature of Aore Resort, the colourful fish in exquisitely clear water, and taking Lucy to the local junior school by a 5km walk! All the children on Aore walk to school, hence the numbers at the junior school at 47 pupils, however the school is amazing, many thanks to all who contributed financially, either off shore non residents or locals in the structure of this important addition to Aore.

 

We also had a return visit to Rotua Island Resort for lunch which was thoroughly enjoyed by all, how could one not enjoy BBQ prawns with sand tickling your toes…see the earlier photo!!

Access from Luganville to Aore Island is via an open punt. Can be wet in windy conditions.

Every member of Salacia and surrounding yachts and visitors commented on the incredible hospitality and the truly  genuine interest from all the locals, referred to as "Ni-Vans, their honesty, integrity and willingness and wish to please all foreigners is outstanding…they would have to be one of the friendliest and open race of humans that we all felt we could learn an enormous amount from!  May they never change - we all take away some very special memories and happy times! 

During our time at Aore we were also in company with other yachts we knew including, Patriot, Alvis, Kerumba, Allusive, Wind of Change, Sea Whiskers and Haven 3. Patriot, Alvis and Kerumba are heading to Chesterfield Reef and we will see them there at the weekend. 

Our last night at Aore Resort was Island night which included Kava tasting, buffet and local dancing and singing.  We restrained ourselves to only a few drinks with dinner as we were in for 3-4 hours of sleep before setting sail just after midnight to our exciting new destination….Ile de Houn which would be approximately 30 plus hours of straight, alcohol free, sailing!

We are the only yacht here at Houn and with easterly winds it is a delightful anchorage. Something out of a picture book. We went ashore where lots of Masked and Brown Boobies were nesting. We did not stay long as we did not wish to disturb them. Short swim off the beach in beautiful clear water and returned to Salacia.

We will head off to Chesterfield Reef on Thursday evening.

Aore Island

Saturday 1st august.

In the afternoon we went for a dinghy ride up "Murder Creek” through giant Mangrove trees!

Another good night in a secure and calm anchorage.

Sunday 2nd August.
0600 departed Port Sandwhich for Ratua Private Island (resort) on south side of Aore Island.
Winds up to 40 knots from the South East. Poled out Jib with two reefs in the mainsail.
We covered the 65 miles in just over 6 hrs. Max speed of 17.6 knots. Another great sail.
1230. Picked up a mooring at Ratua after losing our boathook over the side. Some friendly New Zealanders  on “Notorious” went swimming to retrieve it, but to no avail.
Ross subsequently made a new boat hook.
Ratua is a delightful resort on its own island. We went ashore for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance.

Monday 3rd August.
0930 left Ratua and motored around to the other side of aore Island where we anchored outside the Aore Resort.

Awei Island

THURSDAY 30 JULY 2015

Safely anchored in Awei Island for a restful afternoon after a lumpy sail but master Ross decided it was a day too long to have a blonde hold the current record of this short trip for speed at 12.6 knots! He now holds the record at 14.2 knots … the challenge is on!  The skipper thought the experienced yachtsman was many degrees off course to achieve that speed!  Let us see what the weather throws at us over the next few days!

It was wonderful to see a father and three young sons paddle out to Salacia at anchorage in a home-made dugout/outrigger,  to say hello perhaps, but more to find out if we knew how to repair a very old video play station screen?!?!?  Wrong demographics on board for that task!  Father seemed happy we couldn’t repair it however the sons appeared disappointed but were easily cheered up with new caps for their heads and off they paddled to shore after informing all on board that they had always lived on this island and there were a total of 17 people between three families, all related, that lived here….sounds like bliss to us!   

 

FRIDAY 31 JULY 2015

Stella Sparling’s first birthday!  All on board were thinking of Stella and looking forward to celebrating with her soon…

We enjoyed a wet sail from Awei to the beautiful, safe harbour of Port Sandwich.  Tried trawling for yellow fin tuna or wahi wahi, but to no avail, the winds probably too strong for even the deep water fish, one person on board thinks that another person on board does not want to catch a big fish because of the work involved to bleed it out…however everyone is now looking forward to maybe catching a big, deep sea fish some day soon!!  

All aboard Salacia are fascinated with some of the names of the islands, they tend to go from Indonesian, French, to  even Germanic sounding names so a little more research needed here.  A rest afternoon was called upon by the skipper after a quick run around the port in the tender with rain squalls surrounding us so back on board for a great couple of hours catching up on some reading and rest for all - life is tough here!

No fish so roast pork with red wine sauce and roast potatoes etc were the order of the evening with a great nightcap of a single malt under the stars and a full moon before a wonderful nights sleep in a very quiet anchorage.

SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2015

Awoke to another great day and five other yachts in the safe harbour.  Following breakfast we headed to shore for the walk into the local village of Lamap.  What wonderful, friendly villagers we met, all walking to the local “garden” with their machetes and young children for a day of harvesting the coconuts.  They hand cut and gather the coconut and take them home in the evening for roasting so they can harvest copra, which is the flesh part of the coconut.  We could only interpret,vaguely, that they sell the copra off shore, which is how they obtain their frugal funds to provide fuel, this is the main source of their income that provides fuel for their motor dinghies that enable them to reach outer islands and surrounding bays for the catchment of fish for food.

The local children and families appear happy and very accommodating of foreign visitors to their provincial shores and lifestyle.  There was an abundance of pigs, piglets and chickens that would add to their basic diet.  We all found it interesting listening to the dialect of the locals being very strong pidgin english rather than a French influence heard throughout Noumea and elsewhere.  We all have great admiration for the self sufficient sustainability and joy for every day basic life they appear to relish in!