While we were all anchored at the sand spit, another boat came to Fulaga, from Germany (I think), and they anchored over near the pass. This is only significant because word got around that they had already been to Solomons and beyond (Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, etc.) and since that’s where Lumbaz and Nautilus were planning to go, they were quite interested in meeting the new boat. One evening, Nautilus stopped by on their way over to the new boat, and since it’s quite far away, Tim offered them our dinghy to take since it has a bigger outboard and they can make the trip much faster. After politely refusing once or twice and then Tim less politely insisting once or twice, they agreed to take our dinghy. A decision they soon regretted.
They ran out of gas on the way! Luckily they were very close to the other boat when it happened, and not halfway there in the middle of the lagoon. So, they were able to get it to the other boat on fumes, but then there was challenge of getting back! Luckily, the people were very nice and gave them some gas to get back, but it was definitely a lesson that you have to be careful what you borrow!
We laughed about it together, but I honestly cringe at the thought that we actually loaned someone an out of gas dinghy!
Gresham Family Exodus 