Great read guys, and thanks for the feedback, always welcome.
The chief has welcomed us working with them and has offered the waters around Maskelynes etc exclusively to us. In return they'd like to engage the village if possible, this means they will provide the transfer from the charter plane to the boat, a short trip worth a few dollars per trip. In addition they'd like the opportunity to sell groups local mudrabs, lobster, oysters, etc etc.
Confusion on the last trip was they asked Dan if he'd like any oysters? he said "6 dozen" (silly Dan for thinking a Ni Vanuatu island who doesn't speak English is familar with buying oysters Sydney Fish Market style.. They came back late that day with 6 x BIG BAGS, each with many many many dozen. To save embarrasment Anthony & Eric bought the whole lot, still for next to nothing... lesson learnt...
Invitation to attend a similar village banquet is available to all trips, ie they will kill & roast a pig on a spit, gather seafood, do a custom ceremony etc - all for a nominal amount. This would be quite a cultural experience & occassion to partake in.
To answer the question about hooks marking fish, here is a GT I got the week after further south from the lodge - bruising appeared quickly.
Cheers David
