Port Resolution, Tanna Island, Vanuatu

We cleared out of Fiji at Vuda Marina after the standard half day wait for Customs at around noon. There was a very friendly and talkative Immigration officer and a quiet and somewhat grumpy Customs officer. We motored to the Malolo Pass to exit Fiji's outer reef. This pass is right next to the famous Cloudbreak surf spot.

The passage was about 450 miles total. It took just under three days, with the first one being a comfortable full main and genoa sail doing 7-8 kts. For those of you more land oriented, this is like doing 60-65 mph on the freeway and feeling that you are making good time. Next day was bumpy seas and higher winds. We took a reef in the main sail and rolled up the large genoa, and pulled out the staysail. That kept us going for another 24 hours till the winds got light again. Then we did a slow sail till about 9 miles offshore Tanna and turned on the engine just after sunrise. Tanna Island's claim to fame is its very active volcano. From offshore you could not see any red glow at night, but as soon as the sun came up you could clearly see the steam venting and creating a cloud over the volcano.

We are waiting on Customs now. Hopefully we will get cleared in this morning and perhaps do the trip to the volcano crater tonight.

Paul



----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com