30 September 2015
It is the most southern island in
Vanuatu, and only about 480 nautical miles from Fiji, but it is not a point of
entry into Vanuatu. To visit, one has to have made special application with the
authorities in Port Villa, (which is readily given!), and then check in with
the local policeman, and pay your initial entry fees to him! (10 000 Vatu, +/-
R1250)
It is however, well worth making the
effort, as it was quite one of the nicest anchorages, and islands we have
visited for a long, long time!
The trip down, although short, was
very different from that suggested by weather guru Bob! As he always points
out, “weather is a function of systems combined with chaos!” We had a bit more
chaos than system! We also had, for one
day, the glassiest and calmest windless day we have ever experienced! The rest
was a mixed bag!
Once inside the anchorage, and behind
the reef and Mystery Island, it all opens up into a really special place!
There is a school, a police station,
a bank, and a basic trading co-op store. The bank and the police station were
donated by foreign aid, which is clearly the main source of GDP.
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| The ruins of John Geddes church, wiped out by a tsunami in the 1800's |
The local language is Bislama, which
is a form of ‘pidgin English”, very reminiscent of Aussie Aboriginal English,
and only has a vocabulary of around 2500 words……… the most common of which seems to be “blong”, which
has a very wide range of applications! The signs and notices were delightful
and quaint. The Lonely Planet’s Guide gives a few examples!!
I just have to share a few!
A conference
Toktok togeta
I don’t understand Mi no save
What is your name Wanem nem blong yu?
Contraceptive meresin blong blokem
pikkaninni
Diarrhea sitsit wota
Condom rubba blong f-k
f-k !!!
broken bagarap
A key attraction in Aneityum, is the
Mystery Island (Inyeug island), which is reputed to be inhabited by spirits,
and as such, is uninhabited . It is, however, the main tourist attraction ,
with cruise liners delivering thousands of tourists every Tuesday and Thursday.
Yachties like ourselves, are lucky enough to have the entire island to
ourselves on every other day, and as such, deserves a blog of its own!
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| Mystery Island |
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