Going to Garden

The folk of the crowded villages in the Maskelynes maintain gardens on "mainland" Malakula island. This day over 10 dugouts of women cruised by Carina on their way to collect food for the upcoming Vanuatu Independence Day.

Going Home

During a period of brisk winds at Aewi Island, we suddenly saw dugouts being propelled the easy way - by sail!

Cruiser Volunteerism

When a hired technical instructor was not able to make a seminar for local men at Peskarues in the Maskelyne Islands, Brian of SV Skylight was recruited as a stand in. Brian did a great job of helping these highly motivated village men to troubleshoot repairs to both generators and outboard engines.

Solar Power Understanding

Much of the lighting in the islands is fueled by solar and seminar participants were eager to learn the basics of their systems and how to manage them.

"Graduates"

Lynn and David of the yacht Rireanna organized the seminars. Lynn is in the back row on the left and David is second from the right, also in the back row.

Moral Support

Philip went along each day with the group in the local transport boat and helped where he could (and learned a bit himself).

Ten Stick Island

As you approach SW Bay on the island of Malakula, Ten Stick Island is a landmark, though a deceptive one...the reef sticks out a well over a kilometer beyond it.

Typical Vanuatu Home

This home happens to be near the Tisri Lagoon at SW Bay and is raised to keep the floor dry during periods of high water.

Outdoor Galley

Having homes made from flammable natural materials, all cooking is done on wood fires that are set well away from homes. It cannot be comfortable when it's pouring rain.

Pigs Like Crab too!

These porkers are rooting for mud crabs in the brackish lagoon at Lembinwen.

Hala

Esrom is a local chief whose family started a "yacht club" with yachties in 2008. Esrom brought this gift to Carina and he and Philip exchanged gifts and became "hala" or brothers in Esrom's nakamal or clan.

Paramount Chief Freddie

This handsome, soft spoken, religious man is named Freddie and he is a "paramount" chief in the bay and lives in Lembinwen village. He and his wife Moti greeted us warmly, gave us ripe bananas and Freddie took us on a tour of the village where they "export" copra, cocoa and kava.

Moti and Yvette

Shy, lovely, 2 1/2 year old Yvette is Moti and Freddie's granddaughter. She was frightened to touch us but brightened up and took a "lolly" cautiously from Philip.

Dove?

This gorgeous bird was captured when it was a just a baby. We don't remember the local name for it, but its call is the same as we have heard in quiet anchorages around Vanuatu.

Malaria Program

This dispensary is supported by Rotary International and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Malaria is a serious problem in the village, but luckily treatment is available and this will help to eventually eradicate the disease.

Oyster Island

We anchored at Petersen Bay on the east coast of Santo in Vanuatu. The island, called Oyster Island because oysters grown wild on the roots of mangroves here, has a healthy, though tiny forest of ancient trees.

WWII Ruins

In the waters and on land at Santo and also on Oyster Island there are ruins of WWII infrastructure.

Matavulu Blue Hole

What's a blue hole? It's basically a huge hole in the ground that allows a whole river to come gushing up from below ground. The water is soft and clear, and yes, very blue. Those who snorkeled this blue hole told us that there was no visible bottom.

Matavulu Blue Hole

When they named these natural springs blue holes, they weren't kidding.