Perusing Port Vila: Time to Ponder and Play
VANUATU
I love local buses! The squishyness of strangers seated shoulder-to-shoulder as serpentine streets sway us, is a ‘definite do’ while exploring any new place - at least once. Not to mention, what a natural and organic entry it is to meet folks as bodies inadvertently brush (and sometimes bash!) against one another. I was pleasantly surprised at how well kept this minivan was. In fact for those hairpin turns, we each had hand bars to help keep our cores upright. Unbeknownst to me, upcoming bus rides would showcase more rustic vehicles … Exhibit A:
For now, I sat in front of a cutie. Initially shy, she soon puckered up figuratively and literally. After all, she rocked a tribute t-shirt coincidentally featuring ‘kiss’, a flowery blue skirt and plume wine lipstick!
I realized that it had been nearly a week before I really set out to sightsee. Spoiler alert - for those putting Fiji, French Polynesia or any of the very many nearby countries on your list, island hopping is more work than it sounds like! The logistics of this trip have been dizzying, not to mention that many of the airlines servicing the South Pacific have infrequent flights, potentially preposterous pricing and routes, as well as questionable customer service support. Case in point: following a two hour ordeal at their head office, I was told I ‘should get’ a refund in six weeks - hearing the reimbursement was $32 for the full fare flight from Vanuatu to Fiji, I cut my losses and moved on.
For starters, I went in search of the Parliament, Independence square and the Waterfront.
Then, I sought out some shots for spots that aren’t listed on ‘things to see’, but were eye catching just the same.
At the main market, the local ladies greeted me sweetly and then, let it be. A bit of a juxtaposition from other cultures and continents I noted. While I’m usually game for a good shopping show down, I was grateful to be given the space to freely wander (and walk away) at will.
I noticed that weaving is a skill that most seem to possess here. While some stick to simple and traditional, others add in flair and hues. After the crafts and souvenirs, I strolled pass the veggies, fruits, flowers and food stalls. Then I saw the popcorn. For anyone that hasn’t had the kind that’s made in pots (preferably on open flames), seek out this (very addictive) subspecialty of street side popcorn - usually found in developing/island countries (or my mom’s kitchen!) Tis a surefire way to soften belly rumblings (and likely ruin any meals plans too).
Munching away, I meandered through the markets.
Often, when we shop at the blockbuster-esque grocery stores, we miss the opportunity to not only see the folks behind the scenes, but also to scrutinize our food choices and the subsequent impact on the planet (people, animals, land, climate, geopolitics - all of it), or even share our gratitude with those that give our bellies and bodies the fuel we need.
As I continued on aimless in Vanuatu, my feet sometimes stopped before my mind caught on. In those moments, I captured interesting scenes ranging from local men leisurely at play to little kids playfully splashing and swooping into the waters of Mele’s Bay.
Where is my play, especially midday? I wondered about this autopilot go-go-go life and, if in the end, we’ll die with zero, what are some of the ways I could rejig how I use my life energy. As I perused Port Vila, I pondered a paradigm in which people would make it a point to pause, connect with peeps - and to play. Primed with a new year ahead, isn’t this a perfect time to revisit our priorities?
Amidst my ponderings, there seemed to be some sort of festival on today with a performer, local vendors and folks milling around, including a group of men meeting under a tree.
I still dig those kinds of meetings - where we can draw on nature’s protection and beauty to augment the convos and conundrums of the crew. Wouldn’t it be something if our workplaces encouraged us to schedule (some) meetings under a tree?
In nature or inside, if you’re planning to prance around be prepared, Vanuatu remains largely cash only. Forget tap and other advances, I’ve been surprised (and spent much time) in acquiring local currency that is demanded by almost all businesses, even the large establishments who claim they cater to expats.
But who thinks of logistics when it’s time for chocolate? At Gaston's, I received a tour of the single-source cacao manufactured on nearby islands. Each bag is anticipated to produce 6k chocolate bars! While most the tastings were delightful, their kava infiltrated bar (equivalent to 5 cups of kava) was as nose scrunching, if not more, than kava straight up.
Set around a harbour and pretty lagoons, perusing Port Vila shows signs of its French influences and while the main island of Efate is where the landing strip is, the word on the street is that the outer islands might have more magic in store. Regardless, I’m here, ready for whatever Vanuatu is offering up on this shore …
May that which we peruse - people, places and particular perks - offer us plentiful opportunities to percolate and play!
I still don’t know how you do this traveling all alone? Nice article, short videos ! I guess you had to be careful not to take too long a video in case locals didn’t approve ?