Jerry,
Carole and daughter Erica came from NSW, Australia to northern Vanuatu for their first voyage aboard Soren Larsen.
"We signed up for 'Island Cruising' in northern Vanuatu, and got all that plus lots more.
In Palikulo Bay on our first night, there was so much bioluminesence in the sea that it seemed we were floating in the Milky Way.
At our next stop in Lacona Bay, we were not only treated to amazing water music, but coached by the women of the village to make our own (we failed; it's much more difficult than it looks!).
Great snorkelling at Pakea Island was followed by exciting sailing in a fresh wind, off the anchor, and across to Port Patteson to find shelter for the night.
Next morning, in calm conditions, most of us climbed the foremast (though some didn't make it over the futtocks), and a brave few ventured out onto the yards.
At Ureparapara we were warmly welcomed by a village that seemed untouched by time.
Villagers came to welcome us in their dug-out canoes, there was no sign of plastic or electricity in the village, and the church was the only building with sheet-metal and a few panes of glass.
We shared music, dance and football, and although the village won the football, the dancing was more equally matched, with voyage crew Piet putting on a spectacular evening fire display, and the village offering a traditional harvest dance.
There was more traditional dancing at Sosoro, our final stop, where there was also a thundering beachfront waterfall.
Then we set off for an overnight sail, which became a 60-hour epic into a rising gale that reached F7 with a 5m swell.
But we all rose to the challenge and many of us came to enjoy the thrill of the big seas.
We all had a great time, loved the adventures, and my wife now wants to do the Southern Ocean voyage to experience real blue-water sailing!
Thanks for a great holiday!"
Jerry V.
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