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"You are almost late!" Air Fiji check in counter guy
Checking in at 7.30am for my 7.45am flight to Nadi and only being "almost late" - I love Pacific time!
If any of you miss being able to visit the cockpit during plane trips these days, I highly recommend flying with Air Fiji on one of their EMB-110 planes. If you are seated in the 1st or 2nd rows, you can watch the pilots adjust all the important switches and levers as well as have a look out the front window if you lean into the aisle a bit (like I did). I quite like flying on these small planes and the retro fitout just adds to the character.
Unfortunately, I dont seem to have as much luck with Air Pacific's range of ATR planes. For the second time this year, I was delayed in Nadi for over 12 hours. On the upside, I do get to try out Nadi's selection of mid-range hotels and compare food and catch up on the latest Bollywood soap operas. ;-)
I finally arrived in Port Vila around 1am along with some high level politicians in town
Vaturu Dam/Heaven's Edge from the air
A photo of the place where I spent the Easter long weekend for the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting. The MSG is basically a trade agreement between Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG and the Solomon Islands but also discusses political and security issues in the region. The important guests were whisked off to their own VIP entrance complete with tapa mats and traditional dancers. The rest of us headed to the normal entrance with the now very familiar string band welcome. Snaps to them for welcoming us with smiles and lively music at 1am in the morning.
Most of my week in Vanuatu was spent working on a right to information (RTI) campaign but I did see more of Port Vila thanks to the mini-buses that will drop you anywhere for 100VT (about $1.10). Your destination and the destinations of the other people already in the bus determines the route the driver will take - so you can be the first to be dropped off or the last. Its a great way to see the town and some sights where I just couldnt get the camera out in time. Like the truck filled to the top with bananas and the dog peering into the window of the veterinarian's office - v cute.
While in Vila, I met up with some other volunteers living in Vanuatu and also caught the end of the MSG opening ceremony.
I am one of the rare few who like grocery shopping. So the lure of a supermarket overseas is too much to resist and Monday afternoon I headed to Au Bon Marche, the biggest supermarket in town. Now everyone says to try out new foods when you are travelling and I am all for this. I have tried Vanuatu kava (way stronger than Fiji kava), the local fish dishes, Tusker Beer, steak (Vanuatu is known for its beef) and the banana chips for sale in the market. I havent gotten up the courage to try flying fox yet - maybe next time, maybe not. This time, however, I took advantage of the random range of imported foods from Malaysia and Indonesia. Having not travelled extensively in SE Asia many of the foods are new to me and while browsing the soft drink aisle, I was intrigued by the Birds Nest flavoured soft drink. A review of the ingredients only revealed the ingredients to be: Birds Nest Flavouring, Water and Sugar. I had to try it.
I took one sip and that was enough for me! I cant describe the flavour but at least it was only flavouring and not actual birds nests - I think. Can anyone help me out here? I feel bad now thinking of little birds flying around without nests.
The other food that caught my attention were the different flavoured Tim Tams on offer with the note on the packaging -
Not For Sale in Australia and New Zealand. Tim Tams are an Australian institution! The Tim Tam Slam has been the subject of many a debate in Column 8 in the Sydney Morning Herald, Dick Smith jumped on the bandwagon with Tem Tims and I am sure more than one UK immigration officer has commented on the vast quantities of Tim Tams entering the country each year in the bags on Aussie backpackers. Australians are brave enough to try new flavours - I believe the double coat Tim Tams and caramel Tim Tams have done quite well but lets forget the ill-fated Dark Chocolate & Chili range. So why are Aussies & Kiwis deprived of Choco Chocolate, Choco Mint and Choco Vanilla Tim Tams? I sense a taste
bud conspiracy here.....
I can't wait to get back to Vanuatu again. I am slowly working out my favourite places to go including watching the sunset from the waterfront, the free boat ride to Iririkki Island, the apple & coconut muffins from Jill's Cafe and the pizzas at Nambawan Cafe on the waterfront. Plus the shop that sells funky sandals decorated with shells, beads and sequins. Fingers crossed I get back there again soon!
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Floss
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Bird's nests
Hey Trace, my understanding when in China was that some of those bird's nest drinks are actually made from bird's nests, with the primary ingredient being the bird's spit. Apparently that's what the floating bits are. Disgusting, huh?