22 May 2018

Searching for Boat parts in Paradise

So the rudder bearing. OMG what a mother to get out, but we did. Who needs specialised tools when you have Morrison ingenuity on board. I won't go in to all the details, but it did involve all the key components that make this life so glamorous - head down ass up, hot, dropping things (thankfully not all the way to the bilge because we taped a catcher cloth in place), swearing and finally after 2 hours the part came off the rudder. With all that in mind the thought of putting it back on is daunting.

The next step is finding a replacement part. The shuttle from Mama's took us over to town at 1100. We got a taxi to Tonga Cool where Allo (sp?) said he couldn't help but the bearing should just spin over and pop out. Go to Spare parts Zone and get a new one. SPZ sent us to another place to have the bearing removed from the housing - sadly they weren't exactly on top of the program and cracked the housing. Back to SPZ. The head guy there helped us (thank god) and knew what we needed - he has the bearing, but not the housing/plate it goes in. He called a guy - it will be here Friday (would have been tomorrow if we had made the 0900 shuttle). Dennis is not confident that it is going to happen - I will call tomorrow. Next stop Digicel for sim cards for our phones after almost 2 hours we sent our helpful taxi driver on his way for a whopping 15 dollars US - a deal at twice the price. FOOD! we were all hot and starving - spicey chicken and pork? curry for lunch - lots of food for 3 people plus drinks - $12.50 US. From there almost an hour back at Digicel setting up the phones so we can top up on line. Can't complain - 2 GB for $10 US. 200pm now - and on our way to immigration to extend our visas. Customs guy yesterday either an ass or doesn't understand english too well - I mean it was his handwriting that only gave us 30 day visas.... Oh well. We were given forms to fill out at immigration handed them in and the guy says - oh we don't process these after 2pm. Come back tomorrow morning and bring passport fotos to go with the paperwork. Sigh...... Next the market - nice veggies and some fruit. picked up some lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and green beans, apples and oranges. Went to the "US" mini mart across the street and did some costco shopping - Man costco is everywhere!!! I am very happy to have picked up some pasta and kirkland canned chicken (its the small things right?). We were done, stick a fork in us done. Taxied back to the dock and waited for the 4pm shuttle - which arrived right on time, turfed off the cruise ship tourists, loaded us on and headed back.

AHHHHH. a beer, a swim, a shower..... Life is good. Need to check with Earl what time the shuttle is going in the morning so we can tie up the immigration loose ends. Then the plan is to blow up the paddle board, put the kayak in the water and chill. We will be here until Monday at least as the part doesn't come until friday and we can't check out on the weekends. Next stop Ha'appai group.

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