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Port Vila, Vanuatu
- Older in Vanuatu - South Pacific 2007: Jon and Nina - Newer in Vanuatu - South Pacific 2007: Party on the Beach
A kayak is supposed to be an entry into an expansive world of ocean and sky, but, for the better part of a week, Nina and I have spent most of our time with our heads stuffed through the cockpit hole, or worse yet, the gear holes of kayak segments, in all sorts of contorted positions, tightening, loosening, fabricating, and adjusting bolts, plates, washers, and so on.
We put the boats together and then promptly took them apart in California. Now we put them together again here in Port Vila. Then we covered, smeared, glued, taped, fiberglassed, prayed, and cajoled.
Our most romantic conversations go something like this:
"Upper port long bolt."
"Got it."
"Tighten."
"OK."
Tomorrow we put them in the water. It's a beautiful place around here. Friendly people. Palm trees. Fat tourists drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. We're ready to go to sea and start camping out. Out of the city. If the boats float tomorrow, without leaking -- too much -- we'll be in touch later by satellite phone to my daughter Noey, who will post the posting. If the satellite phone works, which we haven't tried yet.
We're going to sea.
Thanks to Patagonia and Lendal paddles for helping us out with clothing and paddles, respectively.
Dated: 08/24/2007
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