We have now been back in Vanuatu and remembering all the reasons why we enjoyed it so much during our time here in 2013.

There was plenty of things to keep us busy during our time in Port Vila including some kite boarding at Mele Bay.

 

 

 

 

Not a lot seems to have changed in Vanuatu however, they have done a great job of doing up the waterfront at Port Vila including a new craft market and also a new wharf has been built.

 

We did attempt to leave the wall at Yachting World Tuesday 4th September but after leaving he harbour the rain and thunder storms looked rather menacing so we headed back to the safety of the Yachting World mooring balls although we definitely ended up in the bum of town next to the Iririki wrecks.

 

 

 

On the 6th September we did eventually escape from Port Vila and headed around to Havannah Harbour where we enjoyed lunch at the well known Wahoo Bar. 

This was also Bruce’s farewell meal as he is departed on Saturday the 8th back to cold old Melbourne.

 

 

 

Our next stop was at Salua Bay on Emae Island where we stopped for the night. 

Not long after dropping anchor the chiefs son swam out to the boat for a bit of a chat and also the offer of some crayfish which we couldn’t resist.  As dark fell we thought that it was never going to happen but at 9pm there was a knock on the back of the boat with three very cold Ni-Vans with three nice cray’s in hand

 

On the 10th we headed up to an old favourite, Lamen Bay, which is looking great with plenty of building going on and a lot more utes on the road than we remember. 

There are also plenty of turtles in the bay but the famous dugong was no where to be found.  Of an evening we did have a wonderful view of the Ambrym volcanoes.

 

 

 

 

After a couple of evenings at Lamen Bay we continued our journey north to Port Sandwich which is at the south end of Malekula which is the second largest island in Vanuatu.

We met up with Rock who runs the Rainbow store with his wife Noella and amazingly still remembered us from our previous visit. 

We enjoyed a couple of walks including a stroll into the town on Lamap to get a baguette for lunch but not too much swimming as it is still reported that there is a resident shark in the bay.

 

 

 

 

 

We are now anchored at Port Stanley off the island of Uri.  We think that means island of many turtles as every where you look there is a turtle which is fantastic to see.

We have only arrived a short time ago but have had several dug outs drop in for a chat including Morris who wanted his phone charged and also brought us some lovely fruit.  We are hoping to go in and have a look around their village tomorrow. 

Our current position is 16:05.897S 167:27.688E and we are planning to continue to wander our way north to Luganville over the next two weeks where we will get ready for our trip back home to Bundaberg