Vanuatu Dive holiday May 2017

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May 10, 2017
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Day 1
Wednesday, May 10, 2017
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Bokoua -17.70323, 168.26371817°42’12” S 168°15’49” E
Melbourne to Hideaway Island
May 10, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
On the 10th of May Jimmy and I flew out to Vanuatu on a diving holiday. We went with 8 others from the Warrnambool Dive and Firearms Shop organised by Brian Brumley and his wife, Leanne. Also going were Chris and Bernie Rantall, Michael Harris and his 14 year old son Jeremy, mates Adrian Harris (no relation to the others) and Ed Basic. Turned out to be a great bunch of people. Destined for 10 dives over the weeks, 3 of us doing our Advanced Openwater Scuba Dive certificate, Brian being our instructor.
We eventually got into Vanuatu Airport after midnight and getting to our rooms on Hideaway Island at around 2 am! Our bed was a very welcome sight.
The temperature was about 27-30 degrees with the water 26-27 degrees even at depth!!
The dive photos on this page was our first introductory dive, getting our gear and buoyancy right. It was a shallow swim off shore then a sudden drop off to more than 30 metres. We just went to 20 metres It was very pretty but still a bit murky from the 2 cyclones that had passed through over the last 3 weeks. The coral beds were a bit wrecked this close to shore as well.
This is a marine conservation area that has a partnership with the Macquarie University in AustraliaRead more
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Day 2
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 11:59 AM
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Mele Bay -17.711826, 168.26189817°42’43” S 168°15’43” E
Bonzer wreck dive @ 24 metres
May 11, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Ben's birthday today but he's back in Melbourne
Today is our first Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver certificate dive for those of us doing the course.
When we got into the water, my mask filled with water and I started to panic but got that sorted and descended. I'm getting the buoyancy control sorted now. Lots of corals growing and fish swimming about the rusty old wreck. There is plenty of room to swim through the cabin too.Read more
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Day 2
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 5:41 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Mele Bay -17.710239, 168.25087617°42’37” S 168°15’3” E
More wreck pics and a Polynesian banquet
May 11, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Tonight we are treated to a Polynesian banquet. There is dance and music. The banquet is traditional food complete with a Kava drink but some think it is watered down a bit. Tastes a bit muddy but ok to me. Was a fun nightRead more
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Day 2
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 7:45 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
The People
May 11, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
A good bunch of people. The other 2 ladies don't dive but are here on holiday with their hubbies. The Brumleys know old friends of ours, the Murrie's who used to live on Flinders but now live in Hamilton.
We're all getting on wellRead more
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Day 2
Thursday, May 11, 2017 at 7:52 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
The Place
May 11, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
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Day 3
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 10:59 AM
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697109, 168.26258517°41’50” S 168°15’45” E
The Abyss @ 30.6 m
May 12, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
This was classed as a deep dive and our second Advanced course dive. Any dive over 18 metres is classed as a deep dive and shouldn't be done unless you have the advanced ticket. You shouldn't go below 40 metres , 30 metres is the recommended maximum deep depth as further than that and you are more readily susceptible to nitrogen narcosis. The colours have pretty well leached out by that depth too, plus run out of air very quickly.
This dive, The Abyss, starts as as 6 metre reef with a steep drop off to 50 metres. We only go to 30 metres for 10 minutes maximum or air down to 100 bars, whichever happens first. As promised the colours get really dull down deep. It was a pretty dive with lots of different corals and sponges and fish. I get my bouyancy right and Brian is very happy with my dive. I feel confidentRead more
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Day 3
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 6:00 PM
🌙 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Témouri Hill -17.70351, 168.24327117°42’13” S 168°14’36” E
Aloara wreck or "Rising Sun" wreck 26m
May 12, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
Deliberately sunk wreck, resting on it's starboard side and slightly upside down. We weren't allowed to penetrate (go in) as we haven't done a specialty wreck dive course but can go around and over the ship. Apparently there's an airspace inside you can yell into but of course we didn't. There's also a toilet you can sit on (Jimmy). On the swim back to the boat there is a pretty shallow "Coral Garden" where there was pretty corals and lots of colourful fishRead more
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Day 3
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 6:00 PM
🌙 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Tép̄ukoa River -17.703739, 168.24907317°42’13” S 168°14’57” E
More Abyss pics in shallower water
May 12, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
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Day 3
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 7:05 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Vanuatu Mele Beach -17.691752, 168.26623817°41’30” S 168°15’58” E
Vanuatu Island Fire show
May 12, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Tonight we take the water taxi back to the mainland to Mele Beach to have pizza dinner and watch a very spectacular fire show. very well done by the locals
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Day 3
Friday, May 12, 2017 at 7:51 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
Dive crew
May 12, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
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Day 4
Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10:59 AM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Vanuatu Emten Lagoon -17.744001, 168.3489717°44’38” S 168°20’56” E
The Cathedral off Port Vila, Vanuatu
May 13, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
3rd Advanced cert dive -"boat dive"
Today we took water taxi again to mainland to get to Port Vila where we go on a boat charter with "Big Blue" dive. It is a bit of a boat ride to get out there with a big swell at the reef we get to. The reef is at the surface but then there is a drop off to 24 metres into "The Cathedral" or chasm you can swim in and out of.
Here there are a lot more colourful corals and sponges, fan corals, pretty fish in big schools.
I have been getting a cold over the last couple of days and today it's getting more into my sinus' and ears. Right ear really hurt and squealed 3/4 way down. Didn't do the second dive on that trip. I stayed on the boat but tried a snorkel on the top - it was still pretty but got nibbled by wee jellyfish or somethingRead more
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Day 4
Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 2:18 PM
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Vanuatu Port Vila -17.737993, 168.32955617°44’17” S 168°19’46” E
Look around Port Vila
May 13, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
After the boat charter we have a look a round Port Vila and have lunch a t a lovely restaurant. A cruise ship is in so the market is open too.
Jimmy was tired a bit and vomiting today so he stayed at Hideaway Island today, didn't come out on the boatRead more
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Day 5
Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 11:59 PM
🌙 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697763, 168.26189817°41’52” S 168°15’43” E
Night dive, 26 degrees, 20 metres
May 14, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
I didn't do 2 dives today as my ears still hurt a bit but I did do the night night as it was part of our Advanced Course. I was buddied up with Adrian as he was having trouble with his ears too.
For the night dive we swam off shore doing the introductory dive we did the first day.
At around 12 metres my R) ear really hurt but it eventually equalised and I was able to get down further. I was surprised I got down to 20 metres in the end. Adrian and I stayed around 12 -20 metres because of our ears but still saw plenty of things in torch light. Adrian had a great strong light we used. I had a torch but it wasn't as bright. There was lots of fish activity and looked different at night and by torch light.
It was a little freaky at first going into dark water but I felt quite relaxed and kept track of my buddy pretty well. It was a good diveRead more
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Day 6
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 10:59 AM
🌬 28 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Lougno -17.710845, 168.27803517°42’39” S 168°16’41” E
West Side Story @ 20 metres
May 15, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
Reefs of staghorn corals, fields of different colours. Lots of pretty fish with crevices in between the reefs.
My ears still hurt a bit but then became OK. There was a slight current and it was quite nice flowing with it.Read more
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Day 6
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 12:43 PM
🌬 28 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
West Side story 2
May 15, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
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Day 6
Monday, May 15, 2017 at 6:54 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
More Day 6
May 15, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
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Day 7
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 7:14 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
We are now Advanced Open Water divers!!!
May 16, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Navigation Dive ugh!! Our 5th Advanced dive and compulsory component. I stuffed up a couple of times but eventually passed it. What a shocker! We did it around the underwater Post Office just off shore in about 4-5 m.
Later on had a snorkel which was lovely. It was warm and because it's shallow the colours were very pretty and true.Read more
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Day 7
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 7:27 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
Underwater Mail Box
May 16, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
This is a true commissioned working mail box. You can dive or snorkel down to post your postcard.
Divers come and empty it out every few days. A great tourist attraction
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Day 7
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 8:39 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Hideaway Island -17.697009, 168.26363317°41’49” S 168°15’49” E
Language
May 16, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Jimmy and I loved the pigeon english.
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Day 7
Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 11:59 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Vanuatu Mele Bay -17.711516, 168.25396817°42’41” S 168°15’14” E
Last day in the water - snorkel
May 16, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
You can't fly until at least 24 hours after your last dive so we just relax, go touristing or have a snorkel. Jim and I stay and snorkel and read as we've had enough of things. Most of the others go to the mainland and be a tourist.Read more
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Day 8
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 7:19 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Vanuatu Port Vila -17.735987, 168.32947317°44’10” S 168°19’46” E
Port Vila town and market
May 17, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Jimmy hasn't been to Port Vila for a look around as he was sick when the rest of us did it so we pack up early and go into Port Vila for a tourist look. Jimmy is so tall and blonde especially amongst the locals in the market, I can't miss him.
We spend a few sticky drizzly hours there then get a taxi out to the airport. As is the Vanuatu way, we drop relatives off to their home on the way. We have allowed plenty of time for this and are there a long time before the others come, with our baggage.Read more
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Day 8
Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 11:59 PM
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Vanuatu Port Vila - Bauerfield International Airport -17.699155, 168.31851117°41’57” S 168°19’7” E
Bauerfield International Airport
May 17, 2017 in Vanuatu ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Time to go home
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Trip end
May 17, 2017