Last Days in Vanuatu

20 November 2010

After an idyllic time in Vanuatu we are leaving for Brisbane at lunchtime today.

How many people can you fit into a Panga

There are strong winds predicted and we have cancelled our plans to go to Huon and Chesterfield reefs rather than be weather bound for 10 days. It is disappointing not to go to the reefs with Don and Devin off “Liquid Courage”.

Don and Devin off "Liquid Courage"

Our gorgeous land in paradise

Ross and Ron have been wonderful and have been building fences and putting down moorings.

Ross with his splice on the mooring line

Stephen and Ross getting ready to drop the mooring

They completed the fence yesterday afternoon and it is now definitely bullock proof.  Once again the people that we have met have been fantastic. The hospitality on Aore Island has been second to none.

Geoff and Lee have taken us under their wing have been absolutely fantastic and Geoff has been working tirelessly to organise and facilitate. If it wasn’t for Geoff we would be still scratching our heads and wondering how to navigate our way through the system. Geoff, Lee and Don off “Liquid Courage” have been diving on our mooring and it is no mean feat to dive to 42+ metres and still be able to think straight. There is only 7 minutes working time on the bottom and oxygen narcosis is a real problem.

Lee and Geoff preparing to dive

Geoff has also been organising and ferrying commercial divers, surveyors and fence builders and doing a million other tasks on our behalf. Geoff is a definitely a mover and shaker!

Geoff  contemplating the latest problem

Putting the mooring down

Alan and Deb, Chris and Christine, Bridget and Ken, Roger and Mandy have all rolled out the red carpet for us and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. Everyone has donated plants to our new garden and Geoff is organising a hibiscus hedge. Here you just put the cuttings straight into the ground and they take off.

Last night's sunset on Aore Island