Two Days of Sailing, Heading Home

After Vanuatu we had two full days of sailing to get home. I made the most of them by doing as little as possible :) I read, ate, fell asleep on the balcony, read some more and watched the sun set.

We went to the Italian restaurant on the second last night.

There's Mum, waving from her balcony one deck up.

In the end, the week went way too fast! It was lovely to have shared it with Mum and the kids; it's something we'll all always remember, to have had that time together. We arrived back in Brisbane early Sunday 3rd July, Drew went back to the coast, we dropped Meg in Twba and Mum in Dalby, picked up Coco from Mate's place and came home. It was good to see all the animals and to be home again but next time we cruise we think we'll go for 10-12 days! Everybody's highlight (except for me) was the day spent at Mare; mine was being back at Hideaway.

Going Back

We left Mare in the late afternoon and sailed to Port Vila, Vanuatu, docking around 8.30am on Thursday 30th. Gibbo and Drew went off to organise a taxi bus for the day while Mum, Meg and I had a quick look at the markets that set up just near where the ship docks. It's a much more organised affair than in previous years.

We hired a driver, Joseph, and set off. We drove through town and then out to a small village where we took a 5 minute tour. Then we drove, not far, to the jetty where a small boat took us across to Hideaway Island. I'd been really looking forward to this visit. We were last here 14 years ago, then year I turned 40, during a holiday at Le Lagon resort; the kids were 14 and 9! It was where I first snorkelled; I can still remember the wonder of life under the sea and how I sat in chest deep water and practiced breathing with a snorkel. Then when I started swimming around I couldn't stop giggling like a little girl; it was magical! So Hideaway Island has always held a special place in my memory and I've sometimes thought about coming back to spend a week here (we've been back to Vanuatu on cruises on two occasions but haven't made the journey to the island).

It has barely changed; in fact, everything was exactly as I remembered it! I was so pleased. It's such a gem of a place. The fish were plentiful and beautiful; the last fish I saw before I got out of the water was my favourite - a pink/blue/green/aqua one! A good omen.

I'm coming back some day, come what may.

Mare

Today was spent at the island of Mare. We had to catch a tender from ship to shore.

79 years old and only been out of Queensland once! She's done so well!

I love snorkelling; putting on my flippers!

Granny in the middle with Meg on the left and Drew on the right.

Free Your Self...

Fish and Chips and Chicken Kebabs on the beach for lunch.

Catching the tender back to the ship.