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WINTER 2015
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MAGICAL MEMORIES
● Part of the beautiful coral reef off Hapi Tok Beach. ■ Good news from Vanuatu is that with Hapi Tok Beach that she visits and which across it in the future can let them know the coming of our winter, one of the best Pam’s mountainous seas had partly where its wandering… full-day adventures out of tropical little washed-away. After the turtles its onwards again Port Vila is once again up and running But once again visitors to Port Vila can aboard Coongoola, this time to Hapi Tok after the devastation to the tourism indus- now revel in this magical day’s outing that Beach on Moso’s uninhabited rain-shadow try of Cyclone Pam in March. begins with mini-bus pick-ups from Vila side – a haven exclusive to Coongoola’s We’re talking about an outing aboard hotels, and a picturesque 40-minute drive guests for a few hours of swimming the the historic 23m (75ft) ketch Coongoola out to Coongoola’s anchorage in Havannah electric-blue waters, snorkelling over rainfor a day’s sun, sand, swimming, Harbour, famous for its role in 1942’s bow-coloured coral reefs, maybe dozing snorkelling and barbecuing at one of the Battle of the Coral Sea. in sun or shade, and partaking of an excutest little havens this island paradise has Relax aboard with morning tea of pansive barbecue and accompanying to offer – and with maybe a local Tusker French buns and tea or Vanuatu coffee on table-load of tropical salads… with beer beer or three tossed in to avert dehydra- the way across to tiny Moso Island where and soft-drinks available via an honestytion Coongoola’s owner, Owen Drew has run a box. Coongoola was out of action for a voluntary turtle conservation rookery for And as lunch ends thousands of nowmonth after the stout little vessel suffered the past eleven years, breeding, tagging tame fish splash, right on cue, into the some minor damage as she hid behind an and releasing into the ocean over 1,100 waters off the beach for guests to wade island in Vila Harbour during the fury of highly-endangered Hawksbills in that time. amongst and finger-feed with the left250kph winds (one gust 320kph/198mph,) In return for a donation, passengers can overs… and while Mother Nature replenished the name a turtle – and have their own email Finally when it’s time to head homewhite sands of the delightfully-named address added to its tag so anyone coming wards Coongoola’s sails go up (depending on the winds,) fresh fruit platters are offered aboard – and playful dolphins often leap around the yacht’s bow as she heads back to Havannah Harbour. Owen Drew says Coongoola was one of the few yachts in Port Vila to survive Cyclone Pam, over 50-plus other vessels foundering in the huge seas and record Details of 2015 winds – including his shared-ownership 13m day-outing trimaran, Sea Spray. packages on Page 3 “Coongoola was built by old-school shipwrights who made things to last,” www. darwinsbarrabase.com.au Drew says. Even so, Cyclone Pam’s winds were so The National Observer is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Vic. for the publisher, Local Media Pty strong one 16mm steel bolt on a mast fitLtd, ABN 67 096 680 063, of the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095. Responsibility for election and ting simply snapped, and a 32mm referendum comment is accepted by Ash Long. Copyright © 2015, Local Media Pty Ltd (ACN) 096 680 063).
(1.25inch) “unbreakable” polyester rope attached to one of several anchors tore apart n reality Cyclone Pam proved just another chapter in Coongoola’s colourful life that began when she was built in 1948 for a Toowoomba businessman to make a business trip to South Africa. Later, with a professional crew, he, his wife and two children spent 15 months on a world cruise, and in the 1960s under new owners Coongoola became the radio “mother ship” for the Sydney-Hobart yacht fleet. The British Government later bought her for use in the-then British Solomon Islands, eventually abandoning her in the 1970s without a thought to her captivating history. She was rescued in dilapidated condition by dive and charter fishing operator, Drew – even her twin masts having been cut off to give more deck space for cargo. Owen Drew painstakingly removed an extraordinary 27 coats of paint that had simply been slapped one on top of the other, got hold of new masts, replaced rotting timbers and put her into his dive and fishing fleet. He also used her in a 4,800km survey of the islands, before sailing off to Vanuatu for a new life there. Coongoola’s day out is presently on special at AU$120pp (current exchange rates,) including transfers, turtle rookery visit, snorkelling equipment, morning and afternoon teas, and barbecue lunch; drinks are additional.