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Blue Pearl - Vanuatu



Vanuatu became an independent nation in 1980. Before that it was called the New Hebrides, maybe a better known name to older folks like me. Like most nations in the South Pacific it is an archipelago of numerous islands all separated by substantial distances.

We arrived here after a 3 day passage from Musket Cove our last stopping point in the nation of Fiji. Once again the crossing was what seems to be the norm in the South Pacific, the wind almost directly from behind and rolling seas. Not a nice combination. Many in the fleet, including Laurie who had just returned from 4 weeks at home, didn't cope well with the incessant rolling of the boat. And so we all were happy and relieved to make landfall in Vanuatu, in Tanna, one of the southerly islands.

Tanna is remarkable in that it is the most natural place-read most primitive-we have visited in the South Pacific. Natural and real. Real people busy with their lives in positive ways. We were treated like visiting royalty, shown around their village and visiting the primary school where the pupil choir entertained us with several beautifully performed songs.

The adults played their part by performing several local dances which were less graceful than what we had seen in French Polynesia but in some ways more real. The women essentially jump up and down to the rhythm of the music and the men stomp their feet on the ground. The little kids imitate their parents by jumping and stomping along.

We then exchanged gifts, we received locally grown fruits and vegetables beautifully presented in baskets made of leaves and separate small baskets woven to last. We presented with all sorts of items such as clothing, food, school supplies and other essentials that they find are hard to come by.

The day concluded with a buffet feast of all sorts of meat and vegetables. A few of us found pig's ears on our plates.

And I shouldn't forget to mention Yasur, an active volcano on the island. When we had approached the island the night before we had seen the red glow in the sky. During the day we were taken up to the top by the locals in their trucks and observed the frequent eruptions that continue day and night.

More about Vanuatu in a day or two..

Captain Ruud

Ruud Bosman


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