Vanuatu and Fiji

Our day ashore in Port Vila was like going back in time. We had first visited over 40 years ago and not a lot seems to have changed. The fact that several recent cyclones have devastated the island in recent years has not helped. The way of life is simple and the locals friendly, despite the almost daily invasion of cruise ships. The tourism sector is obviously of great significance to the local economy.

From the moment that we went ashore, there were people selling either their goods or their services everywhere that you looked. The wharf was covered in market stalls and when we went outside there were more drivers of both vans and boats than there were people spilling off the ship. We opted for a local van into the commercial centre.

The food market with its local fruits and vegetables, along with the handicraft stores, was a highlight. We really wanted to buy a few of the gigantic avocados that ranged from less than 50 cents to a little over a dollar. We consoled ourselves with the thought that the price might fall by the time we arrive home!

                                         Great fresh fruit and vegetables. We eat lots of meat on the ship!

                   

                                     They have these large avocados. Some were even larger!

The backdrop to the shops is the pretty harbour with water that can only be that colour in the tropics. All very unspoilt but still with damage from the cyclones present.

We did make a few purchases and helped the economy a little!

We are now in Lautoka in Fiji but have no photos. The best days are the islands with great swimming. At least this is acceptable wifi! Will have no more wifi before our return on 28th!

Will go back to previous blog and add a few more photos

New Caledonia

We sailed from Sydney Cove a little later than advised with the beautiful sights of the Opera House and the bridge.

We had a good chance to relax as the next two days were sea days and we did relatively little but we did meet some very nice people.  We managed to fit in lots of meals, drinks, a cooking demonstration and plenty of reading and sleeping.

Our first stop was in Noumea but being Sunday, lots of things were closed, including all the shops.  We caught the HOHO bus out to Anse Vata beach which is family friendly with rolling lawns to the edge of the sand, ripples rather than waves and plenty of shade provided by the coconut trees.

From here we walked around the headland to Lemon Beach where we met up with some of our dinner companions so joined them for lunch.  Lemon Beach is also a great place for swimming but a little harder on the feet.

On the beach at Anse Vata. Thanks Alex for the great bag. We can take all our things ashore in it.

At our first attempt to swim, the lifeguard directed us to move further down.  We had not been in the water very long when he loomed up on his jet ski and directed us to get out of the water.  We think he told us the water was polluted.  The water looked fine but there had been heavy rains a few days previously.

                                         Rest your head to look at this one! Rob at Lemon beach.

Our next stop was at Easo on the island of Lifou.  We took our snorkelling gear ashore on the tender as the ship was moored out in the bay.  It was a 5 minute walk across the island to Jinek Bay.  This is a marine park and “coral garden”.  The coral was very good with lots of colour and there were 2 underwater trails to follow.  The fish were plentiful and came in every colour of the rainbow.

                                               Great swimming spot! Coral and tropical fish.

After a few hours, we retraced our steps over the hill back to the main beach.  There was no sand – just crushed coral so it was very hard on the feet.  It was a long way out to reach water deep enough to swim and it was half way out to where the ship was anchored before you could see coral and fish.  We had made the right choice to snorkel at Jinek Bay.

                                                     Gail with our ship out in the bay

We are posting from Port Vila, having arrived this morning but we still have to explore this part of Vanuatu. Have enjoyed a local Tusker beer but going backwards with the photos so may try at next port to add extras