15.05. - 21.05.2006

Monday morning we collect our "passenger" from the beach. Kalotap is a pastor on the island Ambrym, and we've planned to go there, too. He came back to this island called Epi, where he's originally from, because of a family situation. He'd have to wait for another week for a boat that could take him back to Ambrym , so he asked us if we could give him a lift. Well, of course we'd be glad to, and the fruit and vegetables he wants to bring his family from his old home are'nt really a problem either. And those 3 bags of peanuts he apparently forgott to mention ... but we even find room for those - in the cockpit. Having been loaded like that we set sail for Ambrym.         On our way we stop at Lamen Bay. Supposedly there are dugongs to be found around here and one of those sea-cows loves to swim with humans. After dropping anchor there we do katch a glimpse of one dugong popping out of the water, but no sign of our friendly dugong. The village chief explains that the seagrass, the dugongs favorite food, has all been eaten and now they've moved out a bit. Oh well, then we'll just have to make do with the beautiful turtles paddling around the ship. We arrive at Ambrym late in the afternoon and only brin Kalotap ashore. But we make arrange for his "freight" to be offloaded and transportet to shore early next morning. With lots of helping hands that's quickly done and then the village chief Ranon shows us around, pointing out the long masks this village is known for.         Of course pastor Kalotop had to introduce us to his family and invite us for lunch. So our tour of the village ends at his house where we're heartily welcomed by his family. Unfortunately the weather is against us and we have to move the meal, that was planned to be held outside, into the kitchen. Antoine has already taken a seat ... he seems to be hungry. It doesn't look like the weather would improve any time soon. And the acitve volcano we originally wanted to visit is covered in clouds. Apart from that it's puring down rain. So we leave Ambrym and sail to the island of Pentecost close by. A very special event is supposed to take place here on Saturday. When we arrive it is still raining mightily, butwe do have the right clothing for a short walk.        Luckily it stopped raining on Saturday and the "Landdiving" took place. Only here on Pentecost, between April and June, do three villages get together and errect a strange looking, 30m high tower from which boy aged 6 - 26 throw themselves, secured only by two lianas tied around their ankles. Only between April and June do those lianas have the strength (mostly) to break a persons fall just before they smash into the ground. In comparison our modern day bungee-jumping seems to be something for babys.   Everybody survived the "diving". For Suday our new destination will be the island Maewo further north. We enter the Asanvari Bay which was - as we find out later - a very lucky coincidence. But more about these this beautiful place in the next logbook. Until then ... take care! Tom, Nela & Antoine