.: The big city of Port Villa, Vanautu

We spent just one night at gorgeous Dillon Bay, because we had a good weather window to make it to our next destination of Port Villa.

Sunset at Dillon

Our crossing to Port Villa was uneventful (thankfully). We left at midnight and pulled in around 3:00 p.m. the next afternoon.

The only thing that happened, was caused by the really rough seas. I was “off-watch” and sleeping in the cock-pit when a huge wave hit the back of the boat and dumped me right on the floor. I’ve been sporting an impressive bruise on my hip and elbow!

Coming around the bend

First stop in town…the local market

The best part of our time this past week in Port Villa is that we literally ran in to good cruising friends of ours that we haven’t seen since two seasons ago. Ara and Marios from Bubas. (Don &and Martha you’ll remember them from when we went out for dinner on Mana Island in Fiji). It was great to see them, and we have spent most of the week together.

Our first night we had dinner and drinks at the Waterfront Bar, which is where the dinghy dock is, so a quick hop back to the boat afterwards. What a great reunion. The following evening we were invited to Bubas for the most amazing meal ever! (Ara owns a very successful restaurant in Australia).

Enroute we had to tow a local whose engine gave out on him

Another beautiful backdrop for us

Dinner onboard Bubas with Ara and Marios

Peter decided that for our “reciprocal” dinner we would buy them dinner rather than make it. What a chicken! I’m sure they would have loved Peter’s cooking, especially since he has developed a real interest in cooking and creating meals in the last few years. (But you know how intimidating it is to cook for gourmet chefs....think Guy and Lisa George)

Our second dinner at the Waterfront Bar and Restaurant

Ara and Di

We also went twice with them to a decadent bakery/coffee shop
(just so you don’t think we only go to bars!

Our final night was spent at Justin’s boatyard for a Barbeque, with new friends Justin, Claire, their kids, Earl (who is crewing on Bubas to New Caledonia) and also Marios and Ara. Of course, I forgot the camera. It was a nice farewell to Port Villa.

Waving our goodbyes to Bubas left this morning as were are going to different landfalls in New Caledonia. We will meet up with them again along the way.

Cruise ships come to Port Villa about 3 times a week, which is a great boost to the economy. Market row – set up for the cruise passengers

P & O – from Sydney

All of us spent part of our last few days getting ready to leave Vanuatu – the regular stocking up, refueling, getting all our safety equipment on the deck, loading up the dinghy, Di making the meals for the crossing, and checking out at customs and immigration. The final item, we just checked off our list….

The lowering of the Vanuatu flag

We will be leaving at 3:00 a.m. this morning and hope to only have two nights out at sea. I will try to do a blog posting if I am not too seasick and if we are able to connect. I'm looking forward to a great experience for this - my final crossing.

I saw this and thought of my sister Dorothy, who is understandably a Wizard of Oz nutcase. I'm going to be using this as my mantra for the crossing.