Raining dugongs and turtles, all day. Now we know why Vanuatu is so lush green. We awoke at the sight of our first landing. Champagne beach! But as soon as we brought our first zodiac ashore, we were met with Champagne prices for snorkeling and swimming. Fortunately, just 300 meters away, Lonnoc Bay awaited us, offering us probably the same beauty. 

What an amazing sight it was, with land beneath our feet, giant fig trees towering above us, shallow azure blue waters stretching out before us with beautiful EUROPA in the near distance, surrounded by a mist of grey skies and lush green forest. It was as if we had stepped into a painting.

As the rain poured down, some of us embraced the weather and decided they would get wet in the water anyway to explore the coral and fish. Others ventured into the village further up the mountain, while the rest of us lingered hoping for the small restaurant to open up so we could enjoy our first Vanuatu beer ashore.

The burning question of the day became: To lunch ashore or not to lunch ashore?  As it was a Sunday, it was still uncertain whether someone would show up to open the restaurant. After a while, the village chief appeared, checking on our happy bunch of people and soon enough, the restaurant opened its doors.  

Meanwhile the rest of us decided not await on the outcome of the restaurant opening and headed back to the ship. Soaking wet by the rain, despite 25 degrees warmth, most of us longed for a hot chocolate, movie and popcorn! And so we did, watching Around Cape Horn – a film that put our ‘very raining morning’ into perspective.