At a berth at Port Bundaberg Marina. Arrived 2300 Tuesday night, cleared by Customs Wednesday morning. Circumnavigation completed. All well onboard OOTB.

wind might go on the nose but very light

Closing on Bundaberg and current eta is tomorrow evening. However that means a very sport windy and wet arrival so they may think of slowing a bit to enable that weather to pass. Hard to do this when conditions are so good at the moment so stay tuned for an update tomorrow morning!

Anchored about the same spot Bill anchored when he first arrived in Vanuatu in 1976. Anchored off the water front almost outside the Rossi Hotel Bill used to run when he lived here. The Yacht Club Bill started operated out of the Rossi but it has moved now. There is now a road along the water front which Bill said was a grassed garden area. He says the council must have resumed the land. The remains of the jetty are still to be seen off the hotel.

bi passed erromango and sailed through the moonlit night

Whales off to port, can see the expelled air and tail slapping. First whale sighting this season. As left Port Resolution saw a whale to starboard, lots of tail slaps. Good views of volcano from sea.

Left Tann, port resolution,, for a day trip to Erromango. Tomorrow on to P Vila.

Can hear the surf on the outer reef, but it is very calm inside. We are hoping for fine weather tomorrow to enable us to go for a snorkle bear Mystery Island before the cruise ship arrives on a Thursday with 3000 plus folks onboard. Wow I hope they don't all go ashore. Mystery Island is very small.

97.7nm to Anetyum so will put the pedal down to arrive this evening.

left for Vanuatu. 450 t go to Aneityum

At Musket Cove where we watched first match of Bledisloe Cup rugby on a ginormous screen with a large bunch of good natured Kiwis and Aussies. Bill the only Wallabies supporter who had a Wallabies shirt on. Preparing to leave for Vanuatu. Tony Tactical Directions and Two Up Together here at Musket also.

Very calm in anchorage. Anchored behind sheltered land max height 53 m. Small reef either side of us will be good for a snorkle tomorrow. Today we went for a walk around the island. We almost went all the way around but at the windward side it was very windy. We walked to the very narrow channel between Nanuya-Sewa island and Turtle Island Nanuya-Levu. There were mangroves either side of that narrow channel. It was low tide so was easy to walk around. We were actually going to the tea house in a small village where apparently you can buy lovely donuts. We didn't make it after walking for an hour. We turned back. Instead we had a pie, cassava chips and coleslaw. Ben just caught the first fish. Ben is on again. Rob must be sitting on the wrong side of Out Of The Bag. This second fish is bigger.

The guys saw more than ten Manta rays. Ben and Lucie went in the water for a closer look. They reported that the Mantas had lots of small fish around their mouths. They also had remora hanging on them. They were all very excited when they were back onboard, huge grins. It is not often you get to see them. Lucie said they were very cool. Once we had up anchored and were motoring past on OOTB looking back at the gap, you could see their huge wings coming out of the water.

Ben, Lucie and Claire off Manta Ray watching. Bill, Rob and Gene waiting for report.

Anchored adjacent to Tokatokanu Passage where the Manta Rays feed at high tide. Sadly high tide is at six p.m. So we may not see them because it will be dark by then. Probably have to try again tomorrow morning. Ben is going in the dingy, as forward scout to see if there is any sign of them. Usually if Mantas are there the guys at Manta Resort on tip of Nanuya Balavu know the mantas are there they signal to the yachties. No movement with any yachties, Resort folk busy with a small fleet of Howie cats, conclusion no mantas presently.

Ben and Raphael from Brazil who now lives in Aus, surfing the left hand break at Namotu Island. Anatta a 216 foot yacht anchored nearby. Eight women in bikinis onboard says Lucie, that's why guys, you are distracted by it.

At Musket Cove, about to go out to Namotu Island so Ben surf.

Arrived from Mana Island after snorkling this morning, partaking of a Fijian Indian Curry on the beach at Mana Island for lunch which was delicious. Beef curry, prawn curry, papadams, roti, Dahl, rice. Great spicy curry. Saw lots of small fish species while snorkling and Ben spotted a moray eel.

We had planned to go off to Namotu for Ben to surf but he said he'd done enough for the day but we'll go for an early start tomorrow and get out there.

Anchored at Mana Island. Have been for a snorkle out to the reef and then dinghies out to drop off. Lovely to be back in the water swimming again. We'll snorkle along the edge of the drop off tomorrow. Saw a ray and a few fish. Update to follow tomorrow. Sea clean, clear, lovely blue. Off the beach cats out enjoying smooth seas and light winds. Didn't take long this morning to wash the sooty ash off, such fine pieces were everywhere. Morning work out.

OOTB covered in a very fine ash like sand all over her. Pain in the arse says Bill sitting on lounge listening to GH. Anchored opposite Lautoka smelt like rubbish dump on fire during night, like burning plastic. Sitting outside Resort called Belo Vula where had pleasant night up to that point. Yesterday had northerly winds to 24 knots made Suweni Bay unpleasant so moved here. Dropped out at dusk switched back to light SE. Gotta go and assist Ben cleaning off ash.

We have had a lovely day with Ben and Lucie onboard beginning with a quick sail over from Musket Cove this morning over to Denarau followed by a ride into Nadi on the yellow $1 bus to visit the market after which we adjourned to the Hard Rock Cafe for happy hour. Piña Coladas only 2 for $16 plus tax ha ha in Fiji it can be up to 25% more. This time was only 15 however. Soon will go to Free Spirit for dinner but not until the chocolate cake has finished baking (for Ken's birthday yesterday).

Denarau

they are there! Well -within spitting distance. They are through the reef and 6 miles to Vuda.

Wow, that engine is working well! 200nm to go to Vuda. Gulf Harbour Radio hopes the visitors arriving by air know how to fix their radio. The signal is very muffled and hard to understand.

380nm to Vuda. I am absolutely assured that they will be there early friday - just in case the air travellers think that they will have no accommodation! However the early may not be quite correct as the winds will be light bewteen now and then. However they had a 205nm last 24 hours so their spirits are up for the friday morning time frame! we will see who gets to Vuda first.

making fast progress

on passage to vuda from Marsden Cove. relay from Villamee

Going back in the water today and hoping to head for Fiji Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.

Out Of The Bag is safely on a mooring and we are off in Fiji waiting to deliver K1W1-Beanz to Auckland for Sarah and Gavin. Lovely conditions in Fiji. Currently listening to GHR and weather for next few days.Trust we can have a good trip to Auckland.

Arrived Opua and cleared by Customs by 16:45 4/11/2016. Enjoying time catching up with friends and fellow cruisers. Especially enjoyed celebrating Trevor's birthday on 5th Nov and an early celebration of Bill's birthday 6th with lamb roast and Opua YC

50nm to Opua. Well done and happy landfall

250 to opua. Look out for the rooster tail!

365 to Opua. Looking good.

great cat conditions except for the sloppy swell

about the best signal from a cat we have heard

674 to Opua. i think they are counting!

reported that they have returned to Noumea due adverse winds

on their way to Opua. Complaining about wind direction and speed and Bill wants to go to Bundaberg instead. It might be colder here in NZ but we dont have crocodiles, snakes, poisonous jelly fish & spiders& octopi, ,...flies, excessive heat,....

yep. Confirmed by GHRadio. Thanks for relays Gene

Through Havannah Pass with good current to continue on to Noumea. Have put their position there as I dont have coords for Havannah

Gene was sounding cheerful and said all was well on board. And thankyou for the relays as your strong signal was very helpful to get detail from the light boats. They have 123nm to the Pass

heading to New Cal

2 very tired crew as they have autopilot problems. There is 800 to Opua so they may elect to keep heading to Havannah Pass New Cal as the auto pilot can handle that and the winds will be better to go that direction. And it is closer.