The Western Pacific - Pacific Crossing Notes: A Sailor's Guide to the Coconut Milk Run - page 380

lessons learned. Continuing our intended course west to New Caledonia and Australia
meant more south than west in our headings. The farther north we headed in Vanuatu, the
less favorable the course to New Caledonia would be, given prevailing southeasterlies.
For example, checking out of the islands at the capital of Port Vila would put Namani on a
heading of 192°; going as far north as Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo would
make it 182°. So we swallowed the bitter pill of compromise and ended our Vanuatu ad-
ventures at the midway point of the island nation. The next passage to New Caledonia was
only 330 miles - but by now, we knew enough not to expect either quick or easy.
Dancers during a ceremony on Tanna