Photo Gallery - October2003
Pictures can be clicked to see a large
version of the image.
Martin
from "Wind Runner" and Jordan aboard "Green Nomad"
having drinks before dinner.
A
restored WWII jeep on Aore Island near Luganville, Espirito Santo (Vanuatu).
Photo courtesy of "Green Nomad".
The
bridge crossing the river which leads to the "Blue Hole" on Santo near
Petersen Bay.
Kate
and Jonah on the ride up the river to the blue hole.
Jonah
hanging from a vine over the river. He would grab the vine as we drove past and
hang there as we turned the dinghy around then he would drop into the boat as we
passed under, if he could hold on long enough.
This
time he couldn't hold on long enough and dropped into the river.
Approaching
the swimming hole at the end of the river.
Jonah
diving into the water at the blue hole. This crystal clear, freshwater swimming
hole was a paradise of fresh, clean water. We visited the hole 3 times
while we were anchored nearby at Petresen Bay.
A
good shot of the blue hole. The water was so clear you could easily see 150ft
horizontally (the width of the hole) and when you dropped into it with a mask
and snorkel it was like you were floating in air without water it was so clear.
One
of Jonah floating in the blue hole with mask, snorkel and a "noodle"
float.
Kate
and Jonah in the cockpit at Petersen Bay.
Approaching
the Banks Group in Northern Vanuatu at sunrise.
In
this photo you can see the island of Vanua Lava on the left and Motalava in the
background.
The
view of the village of Sola from the anchorage (on Vanua Lava). Although it
looks calm here, later in the day a nasty swell began to creep in making this by
far the most rolly anchorage we have ever been in.
The
supply ship anchored at Sola while we were there.
The
"bakery" at Sola. Actually the home and workplace of the baker and his
family who happens to be the cousin of the Customs officer (the official who
clears vessels in and out of the country from Sola which is a Port of Entry for
Vanuatu).
The
baker and his oven. Some breads can be seen on the table to the left. We bought
5 loaves here and frooze three of them for the passage to Kiribati.
The
bank at Sola was just a cement box with a counter outside (seen at right with
plywood cover in place). A public phone was outside (on wall at left) and the
captain sat here waiting for a call from the states.
Some
girls at Sola who posed for this photo. This picture, and the one above, was
taken by Jonah.
The
island of Mota Lava taken while underway after leaving Sola for Waterfall Bay
(on the other side of Vanua Lava).
Sailing
downwind in 25k with only the genoa and making 8k on the way to Waterfall Bay.
This
delicious little fish, a Rainbow Runner, was clearly not the smartest fish in
the sea. How he thought he could eat this huge green squid lure I don't know,
but he sure was delicious butterflied and cooked on the grill.
Jonah
mugs for the camera.
Though
hard to see in this photo (check the large version by clicking it) a huge
waterfall explodes from the middle of this cliff. We passed this incredible
waterfall about 3 miles from our destination, Waterfall Bay which has its own
double waterfall (see below).
Jonah
and his friend Shane from "Kekaimalu". We first met them in Port Vila
a couple of months before and saw them at several places along the way North.
Shane,
Paul and Kate (yes, same name) from "Kekaimalu" aboard Queen Jane for
farewell drinks before we parted (for good). Kekaimalu headed NW for the Solomon
Islands and then planned to head back South to Australia (their home) for the
cyclone season.
Moorea,
Carol and Craig's little girl looking very cute for the camera aboard the Queen
Jane one evening. "Valere" (Craig and Carol's boat) was headed West to
Australia for cyclone season and then plan to head North and West to SE Asia
next season. We may run into them at Darwin or in Indonesia next year.
Kate
and Jonah search the bottom for a pair of shorts which fell overboard at
Waterfall Bay. The water here was incredibly clear and after they spotted the
shorts the captain had to don the scuba gear to retrieve them from 35ft of
water.
The
double waterfalls at Waterfall Bay. Photo courtesy of Louis on "Green
Nomad". This spot was an incredible swimming hole with deep, clean and cold
water just perfect for relaxing in the heat of the day.
Another
shot of the waterfalls with Chief Kereley seen at center-left. Chief Kereley had
been recently elected chief as the line of hereditary chiefs had apparently died
out in this area.
A
beautiful sunset seen from the cockpit of the Queen Jane while underway from
Vanuatu to Tarawa in Kiribati (pronounced Kiribas). The 960 nautical mile
passage took us just over 7 days.
