43) Southwest Bay, Malakula Island, Vanuatu

September 2008: South Pacific

Southwest Bay, Malakula Island, Vanuatu (S 16.29.421 E 167.25.998) 

                            

                Due to timing and distance we did not have a very good chance of making the next anchorage before dark so we pulled in to this bay for the night.  There are too many ship wrecks out here and it is much better to be safe.  From a distance this place looked desolate but soon after dropping the hook the locals showed up.  It has been our experience that not very many locals come out to greet us in outriggers.  The people are always friendly and usually have something to offer in the way of fruit or vegetables.  Getting an up close look at the construction of the boat and paddles gives a good idea of the abilities and ambition of these islanders.  All that we have seen have been wearing westernized clothing and spoke passable English.  There are many cultures fading away and we have witnessed up close the blending of the old with the new.  Of note, we passed an empty outrigger many miles offshore between here and Luganville.  Not knowing what to do with it we left it to drift.