For the past week a huge convergence zone has spread out over almost the entire Tasman Sea and the perimeter has created unusual conditions in Vanuatu, crimping our cruising plans. Instead of trade winds we have had days on end of blustery northeasterlies interspersed with a couple of days of steady drenching downpours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve been tucked away in quiet anchorages for refuge, but when we venture out we quickly start paying the penalty for sailing in 25-35 knots of wind. However my plane leaves tomorrow back to the states, so we had to retrace our track and head back to Port Vila regardless. We sailed from the Maskelynes back to Havannah Harbor, spending a couple of nights in the company of other yachts sheltering there including the spectacular super yacht EXUMA.

Yesterday was a challenging ride home to our berth again. Port Vila was under siege from strong westerlies and the harbor was packed full of boats that had come in for protection. Even so, the water was churned up and violent. Waves were plowing straight into the breakwater that fronts the two markets and an open park, then rebounding back again. We got AVATAR safely tied up to shore, a testament to Rod’s excellent boat handling skills. Once settled in, I spent the rest of the afternoon photographing the impressive surf. There was a big crowd of spectators taking in the action, and the children had a great time flirting with a dousing.

We are stern tied to shore and have a gangplank for boarding the boat – with about a three foot gap between plank and boat stern. I took an unfortunate misstep last night and plunged straight into the water and whacked my ribcage on the corner of the gangplank. It definitely feels like I managed to crack a rib or two, so I guess it’s just as well this particular adventure has come to its end – although I’m not looking forwards to the three connection, 30 hour trip home!