CYAN in Vanuatu
in August and September '08
| After 2 weeks in the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila, Efate, we met up with Ray and Marilyn on "Horizon" for a short visit to catch up. Then CYAN took off to explore the more remote islands to the north. We visited Emae briefly where we exchanged much needed deisel fuel to locals for fruit. On we sailed to the Mescalyne Islands anchorage of Awei on the southern part of Malacula Island. On Chuck's birthday he caught a 60" mahimahi that we shared with 6 local families and 2 other cruising vessels. We sailed further north to Banam Bay where we anchored making a total of 7 vessels, all of us Americans.... very unusual thing to happen. This village presented a traditional dancing exhibition when several folks are visiting and we got to see some local color. You may notice that they are comfortable with few clothes. That is strange when we visitors had to be dressed in "modest coverage" to save their embarrassment! The "nambas" that the men wore on their fronts are just folded banana leaves. We might also mention that womens rights have a long way to go here since PIGS are valued more than women. Vanuatu has quite a primitive culture and it may be the most exotic one we have seen. | The folks there are welcoming and kind but slow to progress with the times. Even cannibalism was practiced until 1969 and the village stories are still filled with black magic and imaginative customs and superstitions. We sailed on to Port Stanley anchorage where we caught up with Bob and Hazel on "Seafari". Both boats sailed to Luganville, Espirito Santo Island. Vanuatu was called "New Hebrides" in the 1940's and it was here that James Michner was stationed in the US Navy when he wrote "Tales of the South Pacific" that became the Broadway musical "South Pacific". In World War II there were hundreds of ships anchored in Segund Channel preparing for battle. Chuck got the chance to make 2 dives on the Coolidge, a 600' transport ship that was sunk by a friendly mine just off the shore with only one life lost. It was one of his best dive experiences ever! We enjoyed some great local beef at the resort there across from Luganville, then left Seafari who continues north for the season. We cut our cruise to the islands short to take a weather window and sail 2 days back south to Port Vila and prepare to journey on to New Caledonia. |
Examples of the local language called Bislama:
Mifala go daeva blong muskat blong solwata.
I am going diving with a spear gun.
Long Tusker beah blong yume.
Many Tusker beers are for us!
 Moored in Port Vila |
 Market in Vila |
 Sky View at anchor |
 60" mahimahi |
 Village View |
 Highly valued pigs! |
 Traditional Dance |
 Headdress |
 Women's dance |
 Village Chief |
To go on to the Next Page:
New Caledonia
|
|
|
|
|