Once we disembarked from the ship, we had to run the gauntlet between a myriad of market stalls selling souvenirs and island clothing to catch a water taxi into Port Vila. The water taxi took us past Iririki Island to the wharf. Along the shoreline of Iririki Isl were numerous partly submerged yachts, boats and other water craft, which I assume, were damaged by tropical storms, some of which have been there a few years, others appear to be more recently damaged, their owners unable to refloat and repair these vessels. Having arrived at the wharf in Port Vila it was no easy feat to get out of our seats and off the boat onto the wooden pontoon. having successfully alighted from the boat without falling into the water or having our hands or legs squahed between boat and pontoon, we walked up to the main street to check out the numerous duty-free stores. We had been informed that Port Via has the cheapest duty free items on the planet, we bought our goodies to take back to Australia there without hestitation.
Patsy and I walked along the main street, checking out various shops and markets before catching a road taxi back to the ship which we considered a much safer form of transport!
Of all the islands of Vanuato we had visited during this cruise, we hve found clean, easy-going and charming communities. The people here are genuinely friendly. An international survey in 2006 found the citizens of Vanuato to be the happiest, healthiest and most conent on Earth.....well I reckon they have got the right part of the stick in that!
Between showers and market stalls
They even need to place directions on how to get out!
Cute little islander dollies
Brave water taxti passengers!
Damaged launches
Submerged yacht
The wooden pontoon & taxi
View from balcony on deck of Port Vila after the rain set-in
Water taxis returning to the wharf
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