Gau Photo Log

July 9-17, 2015

After Suva we made an overnight passage to the island of Gau where we enjoyed a beautiful sevusevu in the village of Sawaieke. The weather was pretty crappy our first couple of days so we hiked in the mud and rain with only minimal complaining. The kids enjoyed a beach campout and then when the weather cleared, we spent a couple days near the pass for snorkeling.

Logbook – July 9, 2015 (Suva to Gau)

Passage Log Highlights

2058 Engines on
2113 Depart

Logbook – July 10, 2015 (Suva to Gau)

Passage Log Highlights

0318 Main (1 reef) + genoa
0746 Engines on
0915 Engines off Gau Herald Bay

Daily Notes

Caminante caught 3 dorado just outside, gave 1 to us. Fed all 9 of us for 2 meals
Walk in the rain to the village (Sawaieke). Very nice people and nice sevusevu & kava party. The children were very curious.

The island of Gau is close to Moorea (French Polynesia) in its volcanic island life cycle

We spent most of the time at Gau anchored near the village of Sawaieke

During our sevusevu the kids were piled several layers high in this doorway to see what was going on. Mostly, they were all smiles, but once I brought out the camera they got a little more serious.

The Exodus crew enjoying the kava ceremony.

The boys had my camera for a while, so I have about 20 photos of this cute little guy. (Benjamin from s/v Fluenta with big brother Jonathan)

Staring contest between Alex and Jonathon

Milling about in the village after drinking some Kava

Saying good-bye to the kids of the village (photo by Bellinis)

Logbook – July 11, 2015 (Gau)

Daily Notes

T/B/Marcus – spearfish, Tim gives trevally to locals
Kids play on beach
Beers + mojitos w/ Nautilus on Exodus

Email to Family and Friends dated July 11, 2015

Subject: Exodus – Gau

We had a quick overnight passage from Suva to the island of Gau night before last. Our friends from home (“The Bellinis,” a family of five) joined us in Suva, and for some reason after the passage and then yesterday after walking an hour in the rain to the village to do sevusevu, and then after having to carry dingies over the coral and rocks because the tide had receded so much, they still seem like they’re having fun. They are getting the real deal with their cruising experience, that’s for sure. The weather has been crappy, but hopefully since they are with us for about 2 weeks they will get to see some sunshine. As usual, the people of the village were very nice, and after the sevusevu they served up the kava immediately. When we told them we wouldn’t be able to stay long because we wanted to walk back before dark we thought that would mean there would be no kava drinking, but no it just meant they hustled to get it ready and then were very understanding when we left after just one bowl. We are here with two other kid boats (Caminante and Fluenta) and there is a nice long beach here, so I’m sure there will be some on shore activities!
Love and miss you all,
-D.

Logbook – July 12, 2015 (Gau)

Daily Notes

Watermaker stopped due to high salinity. Started generator, worked OK
Generator needed oil
Natalia sleepover on Nautilus
T/M paddle board

Alll the girls had a sleepover on Nautilus.

Logbook – July 13, 2015 (Gau)

Daily Notes

Hike in the mud and rain. Good dirty fun!
T/M spearfishing at dusk – jobfish!
Kids to Fluenta for movie, moms to Exodus for wine

Ready for a hike, but had to stop and see the pigs first

Logbook – July 14, 2015 (Gau)

Daily Notes

Kid beach campout
Fish potluck on caminante

Email to Family and Friends dated July 14, 2015

Subject: Exodus – Muddy hike and more camping

We are still having a great time in Gau, except that the weather has been pretty crappy. Yesterday, we went for a hike in the rain and mud, but most people still had a great time, and some of the kids took advantage of the conditions to get really good and dirty. Today, we’ve been lucky enough to have some sunshine and our friends who are visiting were finally able to do some snorkeling. The kids from all the boats are currently on shore setting up basecamp version 2.0, and they are making plans for a big campout tonight, no grownups allowed. I am starting to get a bit sad, because this kid boat flotilla will soon be breaking up, and I enjoy the company of all the other moms and dads just about as much as the kids all enjoy being together, but we will continue to enjoy it while it lasts.
Love and miss you all,
-D.

Logbook – July 15, 2015 (Gau)

Passage Log Highlights