Preparing for Honiara (Report #118 - 2012)
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June 28 - Teddy Fong: Indeed our ETA in Honiara has been pushed back a couple of days and we are racing now to make it in time for the Pacific Arts Festival opening ceremony. As I am writing this blog, we are travelling at an average 10 knots heading Northwest towards San Christobal, our first waypoint. We are 163nm from destination and are expected to make this island by tomorrow morning if winds continue to be good.

Yesterday we got caught in a doldrum. Peni's watch made 0nm, while we did a meagre 0.01nm, that's how bad it was. But of course we are accustomed to amusing ourselves even in the worst of winds. Iva again volunteered to shave my head, the girls went about their laundry, and the guys set out to cleaning the vaka. Skipper searched his massive photo albums for relevant photos to include in our PowerPoint presentation.

Wednesday afternoon, we managed to land one skipjack tuna after dropping two earlier ones. Ben and Peni (the "names") set out to making us the freshest and best kokoda I've had in a while. The "real" coconuts bought in Espiritu Santos were indeed put to good use. As if that was not enough, yesterday the "names" again made boiled tuna va miti. The dalo that went with this made for another heavenly meal. Okay enough of the chow.

Winds picked up at dusk and soon we were flying again. I overheard skipper and Joe Browne talking about a baby mix so headed off into my bunk to fill in my journal. The others stayed on deck to enjoy “George Patterson's champagne" as skipper put it. Kele, Peni, Jim and Tukana were the bravehearts that kept skipper and JB company.

Dinner was beef curry and dalo. Many had two or more servings. I had mine towards the end of our watch from 9pm-12am. If you are wondering why we are at the dalo a lot, it is because when we get to the Solomons whatever uncooked staples and veggies on board will be confiscated by the quarantine department. So Ben has the unenvious task of ensuring that no money goes to waste in so far as stores are concerned.

Rehearsals on deck are at 1600hrs every day. Yesterday the rehearsal showed huge improvement, with the song now known by heart. We just need to better synchronise our voices and this may better be done on land in a quiet surrounding rather than having waves pound our hulls while we sing. Even greater is Manasa will be on stage with us to allow those with hearing impairment an opportunity to hear our voices through sign language.

The Uto Ni Yalo bole and Pacific Voyagers haka are becoming better with each practice session. Although, Iva has this Maori eye and mouth look thingy going on during our haka practices that has everyone laughing. Aggie-tello is becoming a not so shy vonu now and finally we can hear her turtle voice cry out for help. Filo-angelo's opening remarks are touching, we hope the sound will be good enough so our message can be properly portrayed.

We are looking forward to the festival already. Winds please keep up so we can make the opening and bring to you all knowledge and experiences gained over the two years of Te Mana o Te Moana.

Look forward to your continued good wishes and prayers. Until tomorrow and hopefully San Christobal, here's your Uto ni Yalo crew signing off for the day.