Episode 31 Sailing from Vanuatu to The Solomon Islands

After clearing out of Vanuatu we take on the 220 mile passage to the Solomon Islands. We experience a sea, which makes it uncomfortable aboard, added to that, electric and engine failure. Arriving late in the afternoon at the island of Santa Cruz in the Solomon Islands, we make the decision to heave to, off the island until daybreak until we have a clear view of reefs and enter through Graciosa Bay and head for Shaw Point to await clearance into the country, which needs to be made at Lata, across the bay. The clearance into The Solomon Islands takes a frustrating 5 days. In the meantime we are entertained by the local people from the college at Shaw Point , plus the Rugby World Cup Final, a disappointing outcome but how many people go to these lengths to watch a major sporting event in such isolated places.Santa Cruz used to be called The Outer Eastern Province in the Solomon Islands because it was so remote