Yandua Village (the church is in the centre photo)…
Yandua is a sanctuary for the crested green iguana
The Kava Roots we bought in Savu Savu to take to the islands for Sevu Sevu.
The tiny anchorage…
… and the VERY narrow passage into it!
Sawa-i-Lau in the Yasawas – known for its limestone caves.
Blue Lagoon – where the film was made – frequented by mini cruise ships!
Guests being welcomed at the remote Octopus Bay Resort…
Poco Andante and the German yacht Truant 2 were the only yachts at Octopus Bay.
Castaway Resort – yet another luxurious holiday hangout.
But there are some undeveloped islands with beautiful white sandy beaches!
Morrison Lucky White Heather took Keith and co to the Pirates Day outing at the start of Regatta Week at Musket Cove Resort…
Pirates Day on Beachcomber Island.
John Long Shot tries the limbo and Greg WMD is next in line…
Pirates galore!
Keith manages a last minute entry in the Hobie Cat competition with James Hall (a previous winner) on holiday from Sydney!
Despite a slow start, they win their heats and make it to the Semi Finals.
In fact James and Keith did very well considering their weight disadvantage!
The fun day at Sand Cay was great – the sandy islet only appears at low tide!
… and included a Hairy Chest competition (but you can see that some guys needed to cheat). Keith is on the far right.
… and a Wet T-Shirt competition (including a male entrant cheating again!). Christine is near the right end.
The finalists – much to the delight of the male audience!
Keith with the crews of Long Shot and WMD
‘Pour the Beer’ competition – Keith’s technique proved a winner!
And the wet waiter competition!
A Fijian warrior serving kava – and the next clue in the Treasure Hunt.
Keith ‘Princess Codfish’ enters the Island Princess fancy dress competition – we thought his mermaid costume should have won!
James joined in the fun as well
And, Patrick (also with the Hall family group) looked great in his partner’s bikini – wow!
Some of the other entrants…
Danielle Hall crews for us when we enter Poco Andante in the Round Malolo Race – it was great fun!
Danielle’s partner Patrick and John Long Shot take turns helming.
The Hall family (from left) James, Liz, Betty, Robyn and Bill at the prize giving dinner…
… and Olivia Hall looking delightful for the evening!
We enjoy a stay at the luxurious Lomani Resort – donated by Patrick who won this prize in the Golf Tournament. Huge thanks, Patrick!
A booby catches a lift aboard Poco while we were en route to Vanuatu – it stayed all night.
Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu.
… and one of several wonderful reliefs by local contemporary artist Aloi Piloki.
The fantastic market in Port Vila…
… and the local speciality, Lap lap – but not one of Keith’s favourite flavours.
A demonstration of sand drawing at the Port Vila museum – and its meaning explained in story and music.
Some of the fabulous masks and tam tam drums from the islands of Vanuatu.
Our stay in Port Vila coincided with a Trade Fare and we were able to watch the various activities and enjoy the dancing groups from different islands.
Malekula Island dancers.
Dancers from Espiritu Santo.
Snake dancers from the Banks Islands.
Dancers from Efate Island.
Futuna Island dancers – much more Polynesian than the Melanesian Vanuatuans.
Dancers from Pentecost Island.
‘Traditional Dress’ competition – described as ‘Mother Hubbard’ dresses in the guide books – very intricate.
At Ai Creek on Efate Island – local men going fishing at dusk.
Lamen Bay on Epi Island.
A huge mahi mahi we caught en route – we gave half away to the locals.
Approaching the Maskelyne Islands at the south end of Malekula – lots of coral, narrow passes and strong currents!
Friendly locals come to visit…
A wealthy family with a sailing canoe!
Children in the Avokh village.
Kinsey, an unmarried male about 30 years old, prepared this spread to go with the kava drink.
Port Sandwich, Malekula – a wonderfully protected anchorage up a river.
We took the dinghy for an excursion up one stream but ran out of water before reaching any village!
Ezekial proudly shows us the church his family built – with David & Suzanne Cheshire.
More generosity from the people of Vanuatu – a small mountain of fresh fruit!
This huge Banyan tree hosts the local ‘nakamal’ (kava pub).
The local butchers shop!
They did have electricity at one time – pre-Independence when the Island capital was moved from here to Norsup.
Copra drying shed – copra is the main cash crop in Vanuatu – and all villages have their own drying sheds.
A cheerful welcome to Vao Island…
Colourful tam tam drums outside the local church.
Vao Island is known for its tidy fence walls made from volcanic rocks.
The canoe park!
Poco Andante in the beautiful anchorage at Vao Island.
A demonstration of weaving at the Aore Island Resort, Luganville. The little square is a ball used as a children’s toy.
The local kindergarten at Wali Bay, Pentecost Island.
One lad catches some stick insects for dinner (notice the mobile phone in the other hand!)
The boys paddled out to give us some coconuts as thanks for some gifts we had given them.
Mt Yasur, the active volcano on Tanna Island, showered Poco Andante with volcanic dust when the wind was in the wrong direction.
We climb towards the crater of Mt Yasur…
… and get a close up demonstration of its activity…
… and get a close up demonstration of its activity…
Keith gets a chance to indulge in life on the edge!
The candelabra pines for which New Caledonia is famous.
The French have stripped the country with its nickel mining operations, however the wealth doesn’t benefit the Kanaks.
The capital, Noumea, could be any city on the Cote d’Azur!
But the Baie des Citrons offers a delightful anchorage.
