With no wind forecast it was an opportune time to make some miles south towards Port Vila without wind on the nose. Six miles along the shore from Ranon village there's a hot spring that flows into the sea. We dropped the hook in the black sand beach and took the dinghy ashore to explore. As we stepped off the dinghy we immediately noticed the heat in the sand. It was low water so the stream wasn't visible from the steep beach but as we walked towards it there was a hot stream snaking through the sand and into the sea.
All we can conclude is that flies love humidity. The air was still and humid and full of flies, horrible black flies landing on your arms and legs. Adopting what is known as the Australian wave we followed the stream for a shot distance behind the beach gingerly stepping in the hot water when we needed to cross to the other side. By the time we returned to the beach I got used to the temperature , as hot as a hot bath, and lay down in the water. It felt good – much better than the flies.
Some more exploring of a cave along the beach and then we high tailed back to Jackster and started our passage to Epi island. Passing down the west coast of Ambryn the charts showed deep water all the way so it was alarming to see the depth coming up to 40m and seeing the water turbulence. Not good for our nerves but excellent for catching fish. Something big took the hook. Literally. Took it and swam off and then we caught a bonito tuna. (Two days later we learned the seabed has risen, or been pushed up, by the volcano in the last to years and that's why it's not on any charts. It's reported to be less than keel deep in places.)
We motored into Revelieu bay in late afternoon. Tomorrow we'll go ashore with out tuna and see if they want it.
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