Port Vila, Vanuatu

This cruise stop would be my third visit to the beautiful Island of Vanuata. The place has special meaning for hubby and I as it was our honeymoon destination.

A funny thing happened during our first time there. We booked a day trip to Tana to visit the Island's active volcano. The island is remote with a few villages and basic accommodation.

We travelled to Tana on a small plane, the pilot assuring us he would return for us later.

The day was amazing. We were provided with a small meal then taken by four wheel drive to the volcano. I've never seen anything like it - magnificent.

The following hour was spent visiting a local village. The men joined the chief in a Kava drinking ceremony (no women allowed). Kava is a narcotic root with anaesthetic properties. It tastes like dirt, often leaving the drinker with little feeling in the tongue and weakness in the legs. Hubby returned with a huge grin on his face...hehe.

We were dropped back at the airport (I use this term loosely as it resembled a small barn)to wait for our plane. An hour later... we were still waiting.

Luckily, there was a Kiwi bloke at the shack...I mean airport..., he took us under his wing and back to his hotel(I also use this term loosely - the barn springs to mind again). All we had with us were the clothes on our backs, half a packet of cigarettes and a credit card. Our Kiwi friend wined and dined us and gave us a room for the evening. The room didn't have power of any kind. I'm quite thankful actually because if the lights had been on, I would have seen the size of the bugs responsible for the strange clicking and scurrying noises during the night...ewwww. I didn't dare visit the loo. I hate to think what could have been living in there...double ewwwww.

Our pilot came for us the next day. It was nice to get back to running water, electricity and a cumfy bed but I did enjoy our little adventure. Be warned, don't ever go on a trip with me...things like this happen to me all the time.

Anyway, this time around, everything went like clock work. Hubby went diving in the morning, we enjoyed a yummy lunch followed by shopping in Vila. Most pleasant.

Love KB
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