Port Vila

December 23rd
Day 5
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Cruise stats:
Swell: 1m in open water, none in the harbour
Weather: Pouring rain, 28C
Bottles of duty-free booze purchased: 5

After my disappointment with Noumea, I wasn't sure what to expect out of Port Vila. The experience, however, was completely different.

Vila isn't pretending to be anything its not. It clearly doesn't have the money New Caledonia has, but no-one seems too fussed by that, and it lacks the wealth disparity so obvious in Noumea. Its openness to foreign investment produced some unexpected things, like a windfarm, and a dedication to environmental protection rarely seen in developing countries. The waters of the bay are so clean and clear that from the shore we could not only see the bottom, but school after school of fish. Not bad for a commercial harbour.

Got some bargain duty-free alcohol, the pick of which was black label OP Absolut for $22/L. Also picked up most of my gifts and souvenirs, including two very adorable little dresses for a friend who is expecting twin girls any day now. I found it surprising how many stores took Australian dollars.

Skies opened up on our way back to the ship, got drenched in under a minute. I didn't care, but my camera was foggy for a while afterwards.

The Triton Club need to buy their holiday house here instead of northern Bali. Vanuatu is definitely a place we could spend more time.