Blue Lagoon

Sunday, 29th September.

Blue Lagoon 11 08.137S, 152 45.806E. Wind E-SE 15-20 knots

We travelled from Bagaman Island to Blue Lagoon all of 5 nautical miles .

It was a great location for a shore based party that went all afternoon. Rum punch by the 20l.

BBQ, swimming, lagoon cricket, Bocce etc. and of course a tug of war between the multi hulls and the mono hulls. The monos won of course, because multihulls are built for women and children (according to Ron)!

Good time had by all.

BBQ ashore at Blue Lagoon

Sunset at Blue Lagoon

Ashore at Bagaman Island

Saturday 28th September. 

Bagaman Island. Wind ESE 15-20 knots. Slight increase in wind strength today but no issue as we spent most of the day ashore. 

We experienced a warm welcome at the Bagaman Island Elementary School followed by separate dance and singing  performances by the children, men and women. The programme was well organised with an agenda and "Master of Ceremonies" and obviously enjoyed by the locals who were encouraging the performers.

We were then treated to another Mumu (lunch feast) followed by a fine display of wood carvings which were available for purchase or trade. Just about everyone purchased something as the quality was exceptionally good. 

We all arrived at the same time as a flotilla of dinghies. 20 dinghies arriving at once was a good spectacle for the locals. 

This visit was a good reminder of how much the local villages look forward to the visits by cruising  yachts as a source of goods and financial assistance. They have a subsistence lifestyle with very few "material goods". You will note from the  School sign in the photos that they are trying to save their "dying culture". 

The rally boats donated lots of clothes, medical supplies and school aids as well as donating cash to assist with the construction of another school room. 

Staying  at Bagaman Island overnight.

Juniors Perform for DIm Dims at Bagaman

Parade of Lunch at Bagaman

Salacia Team after Welcome at Bagaman

Sign at Bagaman School

Women Dancing at Bagaman

Arrival at Bagaman Island

Friday 27th. Wind E-SE 12-15knts. Bagaman Island 11 07.75S, 152 41.99E

It was Ross Jones' Birthday!

We left Punawan Island 0600 to sail to Bagaman Island, 42nm to the east.

We crossed Jomard Strait for the second, time seeing numerous large ships.f It was a very pleasant trip arriving at Bagaman Island at 1230. We were then joined by the other rally yachts during the afternoon.

Spent a quiet afternoon making water and baking bread. 

We celebrated Ross's birthday with Roast Lamb and red wine for dinner. Before hand we visited Avante to celebrate with a glass of champagne. The fleet sang "Happy birthday"  over the VHF to Ross and Catherine (also birthday) off Southern Belle.

Local welcome celebrations ashore tomorrow!

Anchorage at Bagaman Island

Exploring Punawan Island

Thursday 26th September.

Our first full day at Punawan Island.. Blue skies wind E-SE 10-12 knots.

We went ashore this morning to be warmly welcomed and given a guided tour of the island.

Walked to the eastern shore via a water well in the middle of the Island. The water is brackish and only used for washing and cooking. The locals rely on coconut water for sustenance. We also watched the locals preparing the Copra for transport to Alotau. They are all from Brooker Island (35 nm East) and will be returning there over the next weeks.

This afternoon about 13  Sailaus arrived enroute from Legend island (to the west) on the way to Brooker Island. They will overnight here at Punawan. 

The Louisiades is one of the few places in the world where the outboard motor and long boat have not yet taken over. Nearly all trade and transport is via the Sailaus.

Also this afternoon, we traded for some crayfish and coral trout. As an example, for two crayfish we traded, one tee shirt, 2 fishing reels with line and hooks, four AA batteries and a plastic bottle (for bailing out the Sailau).

Life is still tough in Paradise.

Chopping up Copra for Market

Climbing to collecting PNG PK!(chewing gum)

Salacia off the beach at Punawan

Punawan Island

Thursday 25th September 

Punawan Island, Bramble Haven  11 11.43S, 152 01.58E.

We left Nivani Island 0800 this morning and had a delightful sail to Punawan Island approximately 32nm to the SW. Wind 12-15 knots ESE, two sail reaching at 8-8.5 knots. 

We crossed the main shipping channel again (Jomard Channel) and sighted 5 large cargo vessels on the way across. This channel is very busy as it is the main one for shipping between Asia and Australia.

We are the only boat at this anchorage which is fantastic. All the rally boats have gone  in different directions for a few days and will reconvene at Bagaman Island on Friday/Saturday.

As soon as we entered the anchorage we were guided by a local on the beach on where to drop the anchor. He was soon out to meet us in his dugout canoe to meet and greet and take our crayfish order. We are hoping he delivers in time for dinner!

There are three families from Brooker Island living here temporarily to harvest the copra before returning back to Brooker. 

Anchored at Punawan Island

Ron on the spreaders, guiding us into the anchorage

Fun Race in Deboyne Lagoon

Tuesday 24th September.

Still at Nivani Island. Wind 15-20 E-SE.

It has been another busy day with the locals.

In the morning the "dim dims" were taken sailing on the locally built Sailaus. A great experience.

We reciprocated by taking the locals sailing on our boats in the afternoon in a fun race in Deboyne Lagoon. We took 350-400 locals out on the 20 rally yachts and gave them popcorn and cordial etc. Every one had a great time. Salacia took 16 extra "crew" who were really excited when we put up our spinnaker and overtook the fleet.

The day finished with feast/Mumu and prize giving ashore.

Salacia Crew ashore for the feast

Salacia's new crew on the rail

Nivani Island

Monday 23rd September. 

Wind 15-20 SE.  Nivani Island 10 47S, 152 23E 

Nivani was once a coconut plantation but now abandoned. Understood to be freehold and is for sale!!

New breeze in overnight so a lot cooler. Busy day today at Nivani Island.

Started with a welcome ceremony followed by swimming races, canoe races, lunch and a Sailau Fleet race.

Nearly 50-60 locals came over from Panapompom for a fun day with the Dim dim's. Over forty Sailau's came for neighbouring islands for the big race around the lagoon. HEX the largest Sailau at 12m won the "division 1".

All for the amusement of the Dim dims. 

Ron preparing for the canoe race

Sailau race

Welcome Dugon Dance Nivani