Vila Chaumieres Port Vila

... This lifestyle still prevails here on the islands, arranged marriages, grass skirts, males buying wives for a certain number of pigs... But they no longer practice cannibalism, or so they tell the tourists - :-D<br><br>I hope that you enjoy the slideshow of images from my day. There is a button on the slideshow window to enlarge the window to full screen, try clicking that button for a better viewing size.<br><br>-T<br>

... fish identification. It was so awesome! Too bad it was cloudy and kind of cold, but it was completely worth it. It's so cool to see the differences between the Atlantic and Pacific fish, and then of course there are the species that are only found in the Pacific! And I got to test out my underwater camera! Most of the pictures came out terrible, but I managed to get a few good shots. I think I may have left my camera cable at home though, so pictures may ...

... wrapped in large leaves and cooked underground for a few hours. There was pumpkin, sweet potato, banana, beef, chicken, fish and tapioca, all cooked to perfection. We were entertained by traditional dancers and singers and drank the local tipple, Kava, while the food was cooking. Kava was a bit of an experience in itself, it tasted like warm muddy water......mmmmmm.....It's made from the crushed roots of the Kava plant and is supposed to be ...

... sacred as a chief was killed there - no one is allowed into the crater but so many people disobey this the whole area will soon be closed to all visitors! bummer! Checked out a few local pubs and watched France bet beated at Rugby with Cat. Also caught up with Elizabeth one of our friends from the Inca trail and had a scummy meal out that she bought for us as a wedding pressie - as Antony said we've had so many ...

... down into the crater below it was an amazing feeling. You could see the different changes in rock colour as it disappeared deep down below the surface &amp; then just an orange fiery glow. Every few seconds the deep sucking &amp; spitting noise would let you know it was still there, not that you needed a reminder of where you were. Gently it would throw out molten lava &amp; then all would go quite. Suddenly with a Giant Sonic Boom, BANG! All the hair on ...

... saying: "No to women's violence" which didn't surprise me as it would have had a few years ago. I have come to realize that violence against women is quite common in many developing parts of the world. I hope to have the chance to talk privately with some ladies while in Vanuatu. I found out today that most people don't have the possibility to go to school for very long at all because it's too expensive for them. Many don't even get to finish Primary School.

... if anyone finds that offensive - that's the kind of language one sees commonly here). I was thankful we were in Vanuatu in the cooler season when there are very few mosquitoes in evidence! Filariasis happens more often in the hotter, wetter season, when there are more mosquitoes around. Tatiana's bracket was re-attached in about 15 minutes and I was charged the equivalent of 20 US dollars. We talked a bit more about Vanuatu and things we might see and visit, and then Tatiana and I ...

... not do the Stern of the ship! Seriously long decompression on the way back though. Like 50 odd minutes between 12 and 3 metres. At least there is a corral garden to look at and noughts and crosses to play with the diveguides. Although, they play for ice-cream and if you lose it can get a bit expensive! My friend Munni from the UK was with me for 2 weeks and in that time completed her Advanced course in diving which she really enjoyed and it really boosted her confidence ...

Tuesday, November 18th, Port Vila to Tanna, Vanuatu We had to get up fairly early - 7am or so, and get ready and leave our dorm after a night of the high pitched whine of mosquitoes and zero air circulation. Glad to leave. Took the boat off the island and Esly was waiting for us - he took us in town and while I paid for the week for the three of us in US Dollars (almost the last of the Segway cash!), Steve was off at the medical supply store acting like a kid in a candy store ...

... we have seen, followed by an abundance of great food. We were then invited to drink kava and enjoy the sounds of the local string band! September 20th we had an awesome sail, no motor used?finally?.to Ambrym where we anchored off the Hot Water Beach. We were ferried ashore where we dipped our feet where the tepid stream met the ocean, very soothing! Seems strange to be soaking in hot waters when the sunshine is so hot that one cannot even bare to walk on the black sand without ...