Maewo

Leaving Loltong, we cruised north across a narrow channel and dropped the hook in Asanvari, a cove on the southwestern tip of Maewo. Known as the ‘Island of Water’ and a cruiser favorite, we were excited to get to Maewo as it marked the most northerly island we are planning to visit in Vanuatu.

We shared the anchorage with Ambler, a home-made ferro-cement schooner with beautifully varnished wooden spars. We spent some time with Tom and Jan, the couple onboard. They left the west coast of the US and went cruising for a few years in the 1980s. They planned to stop in Guam and provision on the way home and ended up staying and working for 15 or so years. From there, they took their time circumnavigating and are now passing through Vanuatu on their way back to Guam. They’re an interesting duo to hang out with, and Ambler is very picturesque—the magic ingredient for anchorage neighbors!

We spent four or five days in Asanvari, hiking to caves, swimming in waterfalls, and diving the most interesting reef we’ve found in Vanuatu. More details on those adventures to come!