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Port Vila

We finally made it to Port Vila this morning after a 1150-nautical-mile journey. Averaging just over six knots was impressive, considering the incredibly calm conditions. Clear skies and a flat sea made for a smooth and relaxing passage, except for the last 24 hours.

After days at sea, it’s always a shock to the system to dive back into the hustle and bustle of port life. We'll be diving straight into maintenance mode now we're in Port Vila. Essential tasks include changing the engine oil and tackling the temperamental water maker. We're hoping to nurse it back to health. With a bit of luck, we’ll have the boat shipshape in no time. We're also excited to welcome Rhona aboard. She's already in port, ready to join the crew and help us get ready for the next leg of the journey.

It was interesting to cross paths with a sailing rally from Island Cruising NZ yesterday. Three yachts were heading west, right across our track.

It’s a shame we didn’t get to do more sailing on this trip. This was the calmest passage out of New Zealand I’ve ever experienced. Usually, we encounter at least one front, but this time, we didn’t even get a sprinkle.

As the first rays of dawn break through, I’m starting to question if we ended up in the wrong Vanuatu. It’s not exactly tropical paradise so far!


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