I am writing this, sitting on the balcony of our fabulous penthouse apartment, stopping frequently to take photos of the glorious sunset over the Pacific - one of which I have posted here for you to share. I can’t imagine anywhere more lovely.
This morning, we were awake at about 6:30 (NZ 7:30) and eased into the day with a cuppa and a book on the balcony, a quick dip and then a leisurely brekkie. Then it was over the harbour to check out port Vila. The market was amazing – fresh produce known and unknown and colours and noise everywhere. The market is apparently open 24 hours – just in case you need a lettuce at 3am J
We wandered up and down the main street – astounded at the amount of traffic – and then before you know it, it was time for a drink again. We found a great spot under an umbrella at a harbourside café and had a wee gin / beer. As we were deciding what we would do next, we got chatting to a guy who had a boat moored beside us and it turned out that the boat had dropped glass walls in the bottom and he was getting ready to do a fish spotting and snorkeling trip. Seemed like a great idea so we headed back to the island to get our togs etc and he picked us up from there.
Unfortunately, the wind had been blowing a bit, so the water was a bit stirred up and the glass viewing was a little disappointing. When we got to the snorkeling bit though it was awesome. We were given baguette to feed the fish with – holding it in our hands while we were in the water. The fish rushed it! Sometimes confusing bits of body for bread which got a few squeals out of me and Toni – but didn’t seem to bother the fish.
After what seemed like too short a time, it was time to head back to – you guessed it – try out another bar. A quick one this time, then back here to freshen up and write this before heading back to dinner.
…Just returned from dinner in the Michener Restaurant – another lovely experience. What a setting – very much as you imagine a luxurious pre-war colonial restaurant, which is (I guess) what it would have been in James Micheners time here. We watched a display of native dancing, ate a delicious buffet, drank a bottle of wine – doesn’t it sound awful! Not!!!
Tomorrow we are up early, off on a day trip on a sailing ship to snorkel with turtles and lunch on a sandy white beach somewhere in paradise. We will let you know how it went when we update this in another couple of days.
We wandered up and down the main street – astounded at the amount of traffic – and then before you know it, it was time for a drink again. We found a great spot under an umbrella at a harbourside café and had a wee gin / beer. As we were deciding what we would do next, we got chatting to a guy who had a boat moored beside us and it turned out that the boat had dropped glass walls in the bottom and he was getting ready to do a fish spotting and snorkeling trip. Seemed like a great idea so we headed back to the island to get our togs etc and he picked us up from there.
Unfortunately, the wind had been blowing a bit, so the water was a bit stirred up and the glass viewing was a little disappointing. When we got to the snorkeling bit though it was awesome. We were given baguette to feed the fish with – holding it in our hands while we were in the water. The fish rushed it! Sometimes confusing bits of body for bread which got a few squeals out of me and Toni – but didn’t seem to bother the fish.
After what seemed like too short a time, it was time to head back to – you guessed it – try out another bar. A quick one this time, then back here to freshen up and write this before heading back to dinner.
…Just returned from dinner in the Michener Restaurant – another lovely experience. What a setting – very much as you imagine a luxurious pre-war colonial restaurant, which is (I guess) what it would have been in James Micheners time here. We watched a display of native dancing, ate a delicious buffet, drank a bottle of wine – doesn’t it sound awful! Not!!!
Tomorrow we are up early, off on a day trip on a sailing ship to snorkel with turtles and lunch on a sandy white beach somewhere in paradise. We will let you know how it went when we update this in another couple of days.
