Bagaman Island

Sunday, 6 October. Bagaman Island.

Returned here to pick up some wood carvings we ordered when we were here previously.

Left Bwagaoia 0930 this morning in company with Avante. First task was to break out of the rafted up group with Yantara and get her onto her own anchor. Her spare parts will not arrive until Monday.

We were glad to leave "dodge" and not be rafted up to other vessels.

Continuous rain squalls today. Not pleasant weather. Destination tomorrow will depend upon weather.

All well on board.

Special Cake for the Dim Dims on Saturday Night

Tuna caught on our way to Bagaman

Crazy times in Bwagaoia Harbour

Saturday 5th October.  Bwagaoia Harbour. Exciting times.

After a pleasant night with dinner ashore at the Guest House and listening to Ken Gourlay give a talk on his circumnavigation, this morning was full of excitement.

Around 0700 Ron watched the townspeople running away from  the market area, We ended up watching an armed hold up of one of the market stores and the taking of hostages. Around 4-5 "villains" armed with shotguns and rifles fired shots and kidnapped the store owner, his wife and children.

They left by long boat and motored past the rally boats on their way out of Bwagaoia Harbour. We were keeping our heads down as they went past. With relief we realised that they had no interest in the rally yachts. The hostages were recovered later in the day, but not the "villains". Needless to say we were all thinking that we need to get out of "dodge".

As things settled down, the planned welcome of the rally yachts by the locals went ahead.

At midday we were met by dancers whom we followed up the street to the Guest House. This was followed further performances and the judging of  the "Misima Girl". Over thirty entrants.

 

We then participated in an auction to raise funds for the health clinic at Nimoa Island and then a lovely early dinner at the guest house. Also cleared customs so we are now okay to leave at our leisure. Back on our yachts before dark.

On Friday night, Ken Gourlay gave a talk on his single handed and unassisted  circumnavigation of the globe. Ken is on the rally yacht Allusive from Tasmania. By co-incidence I went to school with the owner/skipper in Launceston in the mid 60's. Small world.

Ken circumnavigated in 2006-7 and was the oldest Australian and first Tasmanian to do so. Great story. Also raised a lot of money for charity.

On our way to dinner we passed close to a 3m crocodile. Fun place.

Plan to head out Sunday.

Crocodile on the way to dinner

Miss Misima Girl entrant

More welcome performances.

Rewards of Pem Pewa ceremony

Welcome dancing at Bwagaoia

Bwagaoia Harbour, Misima Island

Friday 4th October. Bwagaoia Harbour, Misima Island.

Remaining rally yachts arrived this morning.

Easy Day in Bwagaoia with more shopping and refuelling.

Also sighted a crocodile in the anchorage which put everyone on alert.

Heavy rain showers in the late afternoon.

Bwagaioa Markets

Refueling at the Bwagaioa Jetty

Yachts rafted up to Salacia in Bwagaoia

Bwagaoia Harbour, Misima Island

Wednesday 3rd October.  

Bwagaoia Harbour, Misima Island  10 41.28S, 152 50.77E

Left Ebora this morning and sailed to Bwagaoia Harbour which is at the other end of Misima Island. Passed numerous Sailau's and fishing canoes adjacent to the steep cliffs in very deep water. This port is the main (only!) town on Misima. It has several stores, a bakery and bank.

We have come here to clear customs and purchase fuel which has been ordered from Australia. When the Misima Mine was operating this place was booming. Since the mine closure in 2008 (I think!) it is struggling as a commercial centre. 

It is a small harbour so for all of the rally boats to be accommodated, we need to raft up, 4 boats at a time. We also cannot anchor in the flight path for the airstrip which is adjacent.

Just before arriving at Bwagaoia we met with Yantara (rally yacht) who had lost their engine. We took her alongside so that she could anchor with us.

We were hoping to replenish our wine and beer supply but very disappointed. No white wine and the red is very ordinary. Beer looks okay (South Pacific Export Lager). Received a gold medal in 2008!!!!!!!!

We are here for three days until customs and fuel procedures are completed.

Departing Ebora

Schoolchild at Ebora showing us his handwriting

Ebora at Misima Island

Wednesday 2nd October. Kamatal and Ebora 10 37.68S, 152 32.44E

We went ashore this morning and visited the Kamatal Yacht Club.

Jimmy the patron, feeds his extended family of 17 people by entertaining visiting yachts.

We were invited to stay for dinner this evening but we wanted to push on to Ebora.

We left Kamatal around 0900 and had a great 2 sail reach in 15-20knt SE'ly to Ebora, 20 nm away. Fishing attempted but failed again.

Ebora is 0.5 nm SE of the Western end of Misima Island. Misima with peaks 1000m was invisible due to cloud and haze until we were only couple of miles way.

It is a gorgeous little bay with steep heavily forested hills protected from the SE'lys. There is only room for a max three (poss 4) boats. What a contrast of anchorages compared to Kamatal.

We anchored in 25m and then took a stern line ashore and tied it to a Occury nut tree.

We were certainly the highlight for the village of over 500 people. Lots of children and women. The men were away planting the vegetables.

They only get a few yachts every year.

We visited the school (149 students and two teachers!!!) and donated writing materials. 

Lessons given to different grades in 1.5 hr sessions. Boys on the beach this afternoon had been to school this morning

A very special and unspoilt place.

Boys on the beach at Ebora carrying water

Dian on the beach at Ebora

Inside Kamatal Yacht Club

School at Ebora

Tying stern line to tree at Ebora

Kamatal Island.

Kamatal Island. 10 56.85S, 152 42.35E

Sailed from Hoba bay to Kamatal this morning in company with Avante. Overcast with squalls to 20 knots. We arrived 30 mins before 30 knot squalls with rain.

This is a very different anchorage again as it is very flat lying. They haven't had rain during 2013 so we were good luck omen to the residents.

Jimmy from Kamatal Yacht club  came on board to accept some fishing gear as a gift and to ask us to sign his visitors book. He and and his family are the only residents on the island. Invited us ashore for a BBQ tomorrow but we are planning to head for Ebora Anchorage on Misima Island. Visitors book shows all of the yachts that had visited since 2008. Quite something.

Lazy afternoon due to consistent rain squalls. All well on board.

Kamatal Anchorage

Hoba Bay, Panaumala Island

Monday  30th September

Hoba Bay, Panaumala Island. 11 08.97 S, 152 46.962E. Wind 15-20 knots E-SE

We travelled the 2nm from Blue Lagoon  to Hoba bay but didnt catch a fish.

Anchored in 25m of water with strong gusts from the SE with slight showers of rain.

Went ashore in the afternoon. Experienced school children singing and display of local handicrafts and their manufacture. Visited the local elementary school.

Gifts from the dim dim yachties included, school uniforms and teaching aids, clothes and first aid medication donated by Rotary from Mackay. This was in addition to purchasing local carvings and Bagies.

We also participated in a Pem Pewa. This is a give-receive exchange between two lines of different culture. We had 65 dim dims and the corresponding number of locals (mainly ladies) bearing baskets of gifts.

Most telling insight is when the elder of the village stated that the "pacific yachts" do more for their village than the PNG govt. Fresh lobster delivered for dinner around 1700. Thirty kina (A$15)  for four large lobster. Great dinner cooked on the BBQ.

Handicraft Demonstration Hoba Bay

Pem Pewa at Hoba Bay

Ron with his new Bagi

Ross learning to make fire