Saturday, August 09, 2008

Journal Entry - August 9, 2008 - New Caledonia Astern - Vanuatu Here we come!

Author: Scott

This morning we threw off the mooring lines after spending just over two months in New Caledonia, where we were originally only spending about a week on our way to Vanuatu.
Like so many times on this voyage, the unexpected has become the reality and with the experience has come a wide mixture of emotions. On one hand, we certainly were not expecting the damage and expense that came with our Coral Sea crossing and the amount of time and frustration that came with making the necessary repairs. On the other hand, we have met such an array of wonderful and kind people in New Caledonia. Thoughts of our new and special friends have been drifting through my mind all day. I have often said that the voyage determines the destinations and this has been so true for our time in New Caledonia. We will treasure the memories we have from spending time with Nathaniel and Malia, our visit to the Blind Association, our tour of the island with Michel and Viviane, and the warm and hospitable lunch with Michelle and Gerard and their family, just to mention a few of the fantastic memories.

There always seems to be a group of smiling well wishers on the dock when we depart, and today was no exception. Thanks to Brett and Sandy for their help and friendship and goodbye to all of those friends we left waving goodbye on the "Visitors Pontoon". Our first day away from the marina was spent in the rainy New Caledonia lagoon as we followed Listowel Lady south to Port Boise anchorage, a large and calm anchorage positioned at the entry to the Havana Pass, our exit from the barrier reef surrounding New Caledonia.

Tonight we had a delicious barbequed steak dinner. The boat gently swayed on anchor as we were each content with our thoughts of what the next leg of this incredible journey will bring.

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