Return to Port Vila

After spending three days on Tanna we returned to Port Villa to spend the remainder of our vacation there. It was a good mixture of rest at the hotel and participating in a number of tours, etc.

Visiting the Mele Cascades waterfalls just outside Port Villa.

Large stands of bamboo abound along the walk

 

 

Cooling my feet, and especially my knee which had been a bit crook, in the refreshing pools

 

At the Cascades waterfalls

 

 

Bamboo grows everywhere

The local fruit and veggie market - VERY interesting!

The waterfront of Port Vila (and Irririki Island in the harbour)

The waterfront at Port Vila

 

 

 

The esplanade at Port Vila

 

 

 

At the motel eating Mele tulek served in a steamed banana leaf that was made by the women of Mele village and sold in the markets around Port Villa 

 

Vanuatu's own Tusker Beer.

Lelepa Island

 

Boarding our launch to Lelepa Island

A nature walk on Lelepa Island learning about traditional medicines from plants used by the locals

Traditional outrigger

A large cavern originally used by cannibals and later by a nearby village to house people with communicable diseases

 

 

A waterspout in the distance. Here comes the rain, Were we going to get our afternoon snorkel in? Of course we did and it was simply awesome given the variety and amount of brightly colored fish. It was like swimming in an aquarium but we did get soaked by the rain subsequently

Walking in the village of our guide on Lelepa Island

 

 

The day after the Lelepa Island we, along with a very nice couple from England and South Africa, rented a drive to tour the southern end of Efate. Negotiating a proper rate with our driver was a challenge but we had s good day. Our first stop was the Secret Garden. While the tide was low we hopped in for a little snorkeling.

Frolicking in the Blue Lagoon which, surprisingly, was considerably cooler than the ocean presumably because it was largely spring freed

 

 

 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 

 

 

 

Turtle Beach - at least I think that was the name of it?

 

 

Thee guys were over 400 lbs each and over 80 years old. Sadly their enclosure was small and restrictive.

Preparing to snorkel at Turtle beach

Nancy and Setol

 

Just prior to a Melanesian feast in Mele village

At the Melanesian feast

Flowers at the market in Port Villa