Port Vila has a good market with prices substantially cheaper than Noumea. We again are frequently buying bananas and papaya since the prices are readily affordable. Prices in the supermarkets are comparable to those in New Caledonia except for the beef which is the cheapest we have seen anywhere and of good quality. The local beer, Tusker, is substantially more expensive than New Caledonia's Manta (about 2 dollars a bottle versus 1.25)

The weather has been overcast and rainy on many days but no evidence of mosquitoes. Port Vila appears to us as a blend of Neiafu, Tonga and Savusavu in Fiji. Everybody is extremely friendly and have a smile for you if you talk with them. This is the first country we have run into that is officially bilingual in English and French. There are English and French schools as well as English and French products in the stores. Some people are trilingual (local language plus two official languages) or bilingual (local language plus one official language).

Port Vila has a good tourist trade in visiting cruise ships. The ships appear to arrive every other day and the city is bustling when they are shepherded on local water taxis from the main commercial dock to downtown Vila. There is talk in the newspapers of a possible nickel refinery on one of the northern islands and renovation of the international airport serving Port Vila.

Most of the Australian and New Zealand regular visiting yacht fleet have now left either for their final home destination or New Caledonia. We have spent three weeks in Port Vila and are getting ready to go to Bundaberg Australia on Sunday the 26th.