Port Vila, Efata, Vanuatu
29 September 2012
We arrived in Port Vila with barely enough time to do all the necessary running around to check in, before the close of the day. and w.e.! James ran around flat tack! Once checked in, we picked up one of many mooring buoys in this extremely protected and spacious bay.
Best surprise for us was to hear Elaine from Virgo's Child. Both Virgo's Child and Island Fling were on the moorings. So nice to reunite again. Even Ganga dropped in for a few days.
The Waterfront Restaurant has a great little dingy dock, and is an easy walk into town and the fantastic market.
What strikes one first is the very distinct different culture of the locals. Their features and skin tone is far more indigenous of areas like Papua New Guinea. Their lovely happy disposition is overwhelming. People with just the basics in life, and so happy. The lovely ladies sitting on floor mats in front of their market stalls, arranging their produce, chatting and laughing away.
Sally took the reign and organized a bus to take us to the cascades, the first day, and than on a half day tour towards the Eastern Coast, with wonderful beaches near Eton, the Blue Lagoon, and a visit to a turtle sanctuary. The Mele Cascades like soft pillows, forming natural steps and bathing holes. Well worth a visit, even though it is a popular tourist spot.
We wish we could spend more time visiting the Northern group of islands, there seams to be a lot to see, but we must keep heading towards New Caledonia.
-A very common sight, beaming happy kids-