To All, we hope this finds you all well and enjoying spring time on the other side of the equator. When last we left off we had just arrived in the island nation of Vanuatu and were looking around the capitol of Port Villa. Here's the start of some of our recent adventures. To begin with Vanuatu was granted independence from the rule of Britain and France in 1980, one guide book states there was cannibalism into the 1960's, also there is a high incidence of malaria. There are some very unique adventures to be had in this tropical paradise.
After our initial clearing in and visiting some of the sights of Port Vila, Kathy and Connie were off to visit the active volcano of Mt. Yasur on the island of Tanna. As I stayed aboard in port Vila, I will plagiarize some of Connie's mail back home of their trip and have Kathy edit my commentary. They booked a 24 hour trip, flight, jeep to primitve bungalow, village visit dance, a night excursion to the volcano. sounds nice. Well sometimes things are a bit misleading regarding 3rd world tours. The jeep was a broken down Japanese double cab pickup, at least they had seats, the road unsealed rutted with river crossings and no bridge. the bungalows were primitive, raised wooden platforms, thatched roofs, grass woven walls, a single light bulb and outside toilet. The beds did have nice mosquito netting. It seems the cooks specialty was omelets and cooked squash for lunch and dinner, breakfast was a fruit plate and toast with jam. The point of the trip was to see the volcano, Mt Yasur, rumored to have been erupting continuously since the time of Captains Cooks visit. The truck was ready for departure but suddenly there was an additional 1000 Vatu charge each ($10.00) or they could walk the 3 miles thru the moon scape lava fields to the rim and then back in the pitch dark. They paid and were eventually refunded. On the trip to the rim their ears were assaulted with the rumbling thunder of the explosions taking place deep in the earth. Kathy said it was like the sound of jet planes, crashing waves and thunder all rolled into one. Once there and after dark they witnessed the fire from the caldera and the lava rocks being shot high into the air. The photos look like a 4th of July fireworks display. Next the rain came and they were to be in the truck. Back at the Jungle Oasis bungalows the generator was out so it was candles for dinner. They were entertained by a local band, not very good they seemed only able to play one tempo, before retiring to listen to the sounds and feel the ground shaking of Mt Yasur as a bedtime lullaby. After raining all night they were ready for their departure. Back in the truck and down the muddy slippery road, Stop, its time to see the Dancers at a local village, a 10 minute show, dressed in custom clothes, a line around their waist and a Namba wrapped around their penis with the rest of the parts hanging in the breeze. Moving on down the road, we stopped once more the river has risen and now the driver is hesitant to make the crossing. After watching for several hours and seeing a drop in the river the girls volunteered to wade across if perhaps another truck could then pick them up, after all they did have a flight to catch. Finally the driver decided to give it a try. Well they made it and several hours later I met them at the waterfront bar where they were in great need of some libations after an unforgettable adventure.
Meanwhile back on the boat I had been successful in doing some shopping. The highlight was finding the supplies for my beer making that I have not been able to purchase since the Marshall Is. Home brew once again! I also managed some boat projects as they're never ending just like mowing your lawn. Got the boat fueled and did our check out so we were ready to head off the next day for further adventures.
Saturday 8 May we along with our friends aboard S/V Linda and S/V Scarlett O'Hara made the short sail around Devils Pt to Havana harbor. It was a calm peaceful anchorage. John & Renee of "Scarlett O'Hara" joined us for the cocktail hour to hear the telling of the girls volcano adventure then it was early to bed as we were to get underway to Epi Is. further north. We would be on a somewhat "fast track" as Connie was due to return home 21 May and there was lots to see before then.
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