Vanuatu Day 7 - A surprise visitor

Aside from the weather clearing up, Sunday was shaping up as a repeat of the previous few days. To my surprise, however, whilst we were eating lunch I heard a familiar voice behind me...Jackie Shearwood, a friend who I had worked with some years ago!

Jackie joined us for lunch and we enjoyed an unexpected catch up. Zharana and I spent some time in the pool before deciding that we should go for one last kayak on the lagoon. This time we felt a little more confident and paddled all thw way down to the bridge, however the water was running fast underneath the bridge and we were not confident of making it under and back, so we turned around and enjoyed the view of the multitude of starfish and a random purple jellyfish, before paddling back.

Latet we met up with Jackie to enjoy some happy hour drinks before heading into town for dinner. We settled on pizza at The Brewery...just as well we had arranged for the bus to pick us up at 9:30 because when we left the restaurant about 9:15 the town was pretty much packed up for the night!

Vanuata Day 5 & 6 - Rest and relaxation

With the weather slightly overcast and occasional showers we treated ourselves to relaxation time in the pool and by the lagoon.

We did amuse ourselves by following up on Calvin's suggestion to flip starfish over to see how they get themselves right side up again. Not only were the techniques different between the different types of starfish, some of them have a style all there own!

Ok time to catch up

It seems that the travel updates are a little behind...

Vanuatu Day 4 - Jungle Zipline

It was with some trepidation that we embarked upon our zipline adventure today. Whilst I was sure it would be fun, Zharana took a lit of convincing and nerves like that are somewhat contagious. An interesting drive to Mele through some beautiful lush scenery. Once at the zipline we were fitted out with our harnesses, helmets and gloves. A short walk through the jungle brings you to a large tower which is literally the jumping off point for the tour! At this stage once you are connected to the cable there is no going back. So we clipped on and we were off through the course of 6 ziplines and 2 suspension bridges. Amazing views of thw jungle as you fly past!

After a quick stop in town for lunch it was home again for a well deserved swum in the pool to cool down and relax:-)

Vanuatu Day 3 - Staying close to home

Today we decided to just hang around the pool and lagoon. Zharana was keen for a swim  in the pool before we tried snorkelling in the lagoon...the pool swim was short lived once she discovered that a crab had got there before her....so onto the lagoon. We had a short snorkel but it was hard work fighting against the tidal current, so it was back to the now crab free pool for a swim.

After lunch and another swim in the pool, we decided to take one of the kayaks out on the lagoon. Once again it was hard work against the current but we managed a circuit around the  lagoon area in front of the resort (not that Zharana was much help in the paddling department!). Nice to see the local villagers around the lagoon.

With the sun and heat taking its toll, it was a quick break inside under the fan before relaxing on the loungers on the beach. Zharana decided to make some video star music videos on her ipod. Whilst we were down there the manager invited us to go for a cruise around the lagoon on the resort's new boat (a trial run before the actual tours start next week). A lovely way to end our "Lagoon Day".

Vanuatu Day 2 - Markets and Braids

After breakfast and a quick swim in the pool, we braved to public transport system to head in to town. This involves flagging down a minibus at the side of the road and telling them where you want to go. After a lunch of Aussie Burger and Fish and Chips at Island Time cafe, we headed to the arts and crafts market so that Zharana could get her hair braided. A lot of options as most market stalls offer braiding. We choose one near the centre of the market that was well covered and somewhat cool (Zharana was not coping well with the heat and high humidity). A lovely young lady named Bonny did the braiding and Zharana was very happy with the result.

Mission accomplished we had a wander around and down the fruit and veggie market, where there was beautiful tropical flowers and a wide variety of strange looking fruits and vegetables for sale. An icecream at the waters edge and a quick stop at the supermarket to stock up on food supplies, and we were good to flag down a bus to get home.

Spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing in and around the pool.

Vanuatu Day 1 - Planes, trains and automobiles

An early start to get the 7:30 bus to the train station to get the train to the airport...nice uneventful flight arriving in Port Vila just after 3pm. A steamy 28 degrees on arrival. After arriving at Tropicana Lagoon Resort Apartments we were greeted with fresh pineapple juice and shown around. Our room is on the ground floor a few steps away from the lagoon beach and around the corner from the pool. Spent the late afternoon swimming in the pool and lagoon. Dinner at the over the lagoon restaurant was very nice.