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Published: October 23rd 2006
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Arrival In Port Vila
Awesome sunset and another plane nerd photo! Fine but partly cloudy - 28c
Where the bloody hell are ya??
I’m staying at a very very swish dorm room at a resort by myself. There are 6 empty beds in two areas and my stuff is strewn everyone. Private verandah, exotic pool, cheap bar and very very friendly people. The ‘Wild Pig Hotel’ would be paradise even if the room was full!!
For the first time on my trip I got a big dose of home sickness (or is that love sick ness?!) when I was dining in the restaurant. Surrounded by Aussies on romantic getaways I dined alone in the corner and read a book. I remember looking at people like me when I had dinner with Marg, all the time thinking ‘what went wrong in their life’. Well.. nothing’s wrong with me but my girlfriend is 1000’s of km away. It’s moments like these where you ponder over the delicious menu and wish you could ask ‘what do you want to drink babe?’. No reply forthcoming.
I’m not sure whether it was that first night that prompted me to end up having a massive Saturday night or the fact that I was in search of
Wild Pig
Very swish lounge area people who weren’t here for a romantic getaway (didn’t find any solo travelers). Either way I decided that I’d go In search of pub showing the rugby league test between Australia and New Zealand. It wasn’t hard. Nearly even local in Port Vila was wearing either a Wallabies or Kangaroo jersey, and they were rugby league mad. I actually believe they are more patriotic than Australians and you could hear their chants “go Aussie” all over town. In the majority of Australia the game wasn’t shown live, but not here in Vanuatu where you can get almost anything you want (and that includes fake Nike shirts).
My crazy night got off to an unusual start thanks to the Pacific Star cruise ship that had to unexpectedly dock in Vila due to an accident. I was about to leave the sports bar to escape the crowd, that was until a friendly Aussie couple from Brisbane got me talking about my trip. It amazes even me thinking about what I’m doing but it amazed this couple even more. They were completely and utterly fascinated. Corona after expensive Corona they kept shouting, insisting that I shouldn’t worry about returning the favour because
Wild Pig Pool
Awesome pool area with no one around “I was on the trip of a lifetime and shouldn’t worry about money”. I went to order a beer after we’d said our farewells and the bar man commented “you should order another Corona because that couple left money on the bar for you”. They said I was a pleasure to drink with. But what the hell!!! I felt like I’d pimped myself out or something. Thank you sincerely for the beers Alice & Ron if you ever read this.
Later that evening I met an off duty policeman who I bought a shell of kava (for the massive sum of 50c). In return he was eternally grateful and offered “you and your Aussie girlfriend can stay at my hotel for free”. Than back at the hotel bar I played pool against some locals. Australia lost the pool game unfortunately, but not before being forced to drink a beer or two as thanks for playing.
You getting the theme of things here?? Vanuatu is crazily friendly. There are no touts and to locals, honor is the most important thing in their lives. No murder for over 6 years and the major story in the paper was about the
Port Vila Harbour
Nice and peaceful.. until someone made heaps of noise on a jet ski hehehe soccer team. They are nicest and most genuine people I’ve come across. So where the bloody hell are ya?
New Caledonia was about doing nothing but Vanuatu has been about ‘getting amongst it’. I’ve been walking everywhere and exploring, partly to keep my mind off the happy lovey couples everywhere (you make me sick!). I decided to splurge on my ‘oh so stingy budget’ as a few people commented on my last blog entry. Went jet skiing for 1hr in Vila harbour, no one around and the water so clear it looked like I was jet skiing on sand. Absolutely wicked!!! The weather was stunning and flying along at 80 km/h across the ocean is an awesome feeling.
Note to Marg: Can I please get one for xmas?
I’m still yet to jump off the waterfall just out of Vila or go snorkeling but hopefully I’ll get around to it in island time today. If you ever get the chance, check out Vanuatu - it comes highly recommended and is well off the beaten track!!
I’ve gotta drag out my money pouch, security mesh and locks in preparation for Fiji which I’ve heard lots of horror stories about.
Jet Ski
My jet ski.. I thrashed it!! I have to go direct to Suva, the ‘shithole of the South Pacific’ (guide books name - not mine!) and wait for my US Visa to get approved. Touts, beggars, pick pockets and no scenery. At least I won’t get my passport stolen because the US Government will have it (or is that the same thing?!).
I feel very ungrateful about writing the above about Vanuatu now. Even though I miss Marg I’m sure I’ll look back at the big, empty, comfortable and clean rooms with envy when I’m slammed between a bunch of pommy backpackers in Fiji.
So bye for now from a very relaxed Matt in Vanuatu (where incidentally they are playing Paris Hilton’s album at the bar - never thought she’d take off here!). Here’s hoping my next entry isn’t too bitter and twisted. If you see Marg give her a hug from me. Damn!!! See what all this romance around me is doing!!!!
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Marg
non-member comment
wish i was there
Your blog makes it sound like I should pack my bags and head over there! Jetski's, sunbaking, swimming, drinks.. bloody hell!! Next time you're out for dinner by yourself, order me the usual.. A nice glass of Unwooded Chardonnay like I always do!! Love you to death babe.. 7 weeks and counting!!