Maewo Island, Vanuatu (Aug/Sep 2012)

Maewo

Fortunately we were able to anchor in Asanvari Bay, before a front hit.  Ansanvari Bay is only about 11 miles north of Loltong Bay – we found this bay to have good holding and good protection in tradewind conditions.  It was absolutely breathtaking with a lush landscape and a lovely waterfall – by far one of the nicest anchorages in Vanuatu.  The water in this bay is crystal clear with nice snorkeling.  There are also some nice treks offered by the village guides for a fee but because of the storm it was too muddy to go hiking.

 

We did get a tour of the village from the school children but unfortunately we did not get to meet the chief as he was sick in the hospital on Ambae Island. We were able to get some nice vegetables but not much else in the store.  However, to our delight, there was a baker who rowed by each morning in his dugout canoe selling fresh warm bread for 200 vatu!   Some Aussie cruisers built a yacht club several years back, but it hasn’t been maintained.  However, opposite the village, a lovely bar beside the waterfall with a view overlooking the beautiful cove is currently under construction by Alex from Port Vila.   Alex’s mother is from Maewo, thus he has inherited this choice piece of real estate from his mother.

For some reason, not too many yachtees are cruising Vanuatu this season so we were very happy to have three other boats in this anchorage – J-Marie (Graeme from Australia), Bubas (Marios and Ara from Australia), and Kaitorete (Mike, Annabel, Matthew and Megan from New Zealand).  This was quite a social group of yachtees who all agreed to stay one extra day to attend a pig roast and traditional kastom dance put on by the villagers.   As you can see from the pictures, that the costumes and dance were quite traditional and that we all enjoyed our pig on the spit with our table on the beach overlooking the bay.  Next day we all pulled up anchor and went off in our separate directions after a good time had by all!