22 Oct 2016

Day Tour of Rabaul Township

The early risers this morning were treated to the beautiful sight of the sun illuminating the volcanoes surrounding Rabaul as the Spirit of Enderby made its way to our anchorage at Kokopo. 

Shortly after breakfast everyone headed ashore for our tour of Rabaul and Kokopo using mini vans. We ventured along the road and into Rabaul. Highlights included the visits to the volcano observatory with its commanding views across Rabaul Harbour and the volcanoes which they monitor, General Yamamoto's slightly claustrophobic underground bunker and the ash fields that now cover half of what was formerly Rabaul. By lunchtime all were back aboard and the Spirit of Enderby sailed to Pigeon Island where there was excellent snorkelling to be had including a drift along the edge off the reef with the current.

This evening there has been the first motion of the voyage with an ever so slight pitching caused by the winds which funnel the St Georges Strait.  The evening lecture given by onboard guide/lecturer Lisle Gwynn on the birds of Melanesia was well attended and a great way to finish up an eventful day.