In September 2016 Peter and Kerry visited Vanuatu for the first time.
Vanuatu is a group of 83 islands in the South Pacific. It is located north east of New Caledonia and west of Fiji, with the capital Port Vila being a little more than 1900 km from Brisbane.
The main island is Efate, where Port Vila is located. There are a lot of resorts and other tourist accommodation on Efate and Port Vila is a regular stop for cruise ships from Australia and elsewhere in the Pacific.
Port Vila from across Mele Bay. Cruise ship in port.
Most international flights arrive at Bauerfield International Airport, Port Vila, although it is possible to fly Air Vanuatu direct between Brisbane and Luganville on Espiritu Santo, the country’s largest island. From Port Vila Air Vanuatu flies to many of the other islands, using a variety of aircraft.
Air Vanuatu ATR72-500
Air Vanuatu Britten-Norman Islander
Port Vila is located on Vila Bay, a sheltered deep water anchorage. It has a large container terminal as well as the cruise ship terminal and is a stop for many yachts cruising the South Pacific.
Vila Bay, with the cruise ship terminal in the far distance and Iririki Island on the right.
Port Vila has a large outdoor market near the waterfront. It is open from about 7am Monday until midday on Saturday, with fruit, vegetables, clothes, souvenirs, flowers, firewood and food. Many women have their old Singer sewing machines in their stalls so they can make clothes to order.
Fruit and vegetables for sale at the Port Vila market.
More produce for sale.
Stalls selling clothes at the market.
Some of the colourful tropical flowers for sale.
Although Port Vila is fairly compact it suffers from severe traffic congestion. Driving is quite a challenge with the ubiquitous local buses (mostlyToyota Taragos and like vehicles) pulling into and out from the kerbs without warning. Most of these buses bear the scars of numerous bingles.
Congestion on Lini Highway in central Port Vila.
However, they are a cheap and easy form of transport for tourists and locals. You just need to stand on the side of the road and wave and you will be picked up and taken to wherever you want to go.
One of the local buses. Note the ‘B’ on the number plate.
There are many places to eat and drink in and around Port Vila, with the waterfront being popular with tourists. Two places were had lunch at were the Waterfront Bar & Grill and the War Horse Saloon. It is rather incongruous having a venue based on a watering hole from the American Old West in the middle of Port Vila.
Waterfront Bar & Grill
War Horse Saloon.