Vanuatu Trip 2008 - Part 2

This is part two of a three part feature on a recent trip to Santo , Vanuatu by six anglers from Got One Port Stephens.

Day FOUR

An early rise and we sat at breakfast looking at the mist over Santo Island wondering what the day would bring.  I shoulda been an author after a sentence like that.  Seriously, the low cloud over the main island did look pretty damn spekky .  JT was all fired up and we headed out to the FAD (his favourite spot).  We were trolling skirts out on the outriggers and divers on the middle four.  First pass of the FAD and BANG, we were on to a nice little Wahoo.  JT had a grin from ear to ear and the Saltiga Expedition gear didn’t raise a sweat while bringing it in. 

Next pass past the FAD and we hooked on to a small Yellowfin.  Michael Walsh was on strike and played the fish well. The gang was pretty exited that the first two passes had both produced fish and we were glad that we had decided to head out early, but obviously someone had upset the fish gods, because the next few hours did not turn a reel.  We had a group discussion and decided to head over to Arake Island .  Lots of fish sounding up but we were not able to get a take until Haynesy scored a nice little doggy. Once again it was taken on the Saltiga Expedition gear and came to the boat relatively easily. 

We bashed home thru the wind slop that afternoon and as we had been invited to go over to Geoff and Lee’s for a feed, we donned out semi formal attire and headed over for a great night.

Geoff came and picked us up in the truck and although there was a light rain, most of us toughened up and got a bit wet.  Three of our group had a little cry though and had to cuddle under their Apricot Brolly.  HTFU guys

What a great place Geoff and Lee have built and their hospitality was second to none.  We had a great night on their balcony and headed back to the resort in the truck quite late at night, full as googs and slightly off balance.

Day Five

The days were flying past at this stage.  Already past the half way.  We had a break from fishing today and just as well because 3 of us had eaten a little too much raw fish the day before.  Funny Tummies were the order of the day.  We caught the ferry over to Santo at 0730 and were met by Michelle and his mate William with the mini bus.  We set off up the east coast through the plantations and farms with Michelle providing a running commentary for us.  The plantations etc are owned by French, Japanese and Chinese companies. 

The road made the NSW council roadcrew look like consummate professionals. It was pouring torrential rain most of the way up there such that the mini bus was slipping and sliding around and many of us thought we may not be making it back to the resort in one piece.  We stopped at the Copra factory to have a look at how the locals dry the coconut meat.  A VERY smoky affair and it is pretty obvious that OH&S has not yet reached the workers of Vanuatu .

We hit the pub for a quick beer and re-supply and then back to the island for “Island Night”  JT and myself bailed on the entertainment due to our doses of Bali Belly but the others carried on in to the night and really enjoyed the cultural experience.  Music, Carva tasting, traditional dancing and the couple in Bungalow 21 even kept the boys awake celebrating her birthday.