We survived Vanuatu!!
Flag of the Republic of Vanuatu
In Luganville it rained. All day.
A Luganville River in the Rain
Our excursions took us to a beach on the northern side of the island. Our time on the paved road was short, followed by 20 minutes on washboard, dirt roads. Mostly we went past coconut farms and cattle.
Coconuts and Cattle
On a sunny day Paradise Lagoon would have been paradise. At least it was a warm rain, mid-80s. I went swimming. Janice and John stayed on land and tried to stay dry. There was a small “shelter” under which they had some refreshments, a band, and a few items for sale.
Paradise Lagoon Entertainment
Then we went back down the dirt road and off road along a path to a Blue Hole, a fresh water lagoon.
Blue Hole
I walked down the slope that they had tried to stabilize with some concrete and down the wooden ramp into the water. Since it was considerably colder than the salt-water lagoon, I only went in up to my knees. A few people went all the way in. Several people slipped in the mud, however.
As the vans turned around to head back to the ship, they had to go up a slight rise that was rather muddy. Everyone out! The other drivers came over and with several guests pushed the van up the rise. It took about 20 minutes to get all four van up the rise and on their way. Then back down the dirt road into town. The ride might not have been so bad if the driver hadn’t been trying for a land speed record.
It continued to rain for the rest of the day. Needless to say, we didn’t take a lot of pictures.
That evening we were treated to an advanced gift: an umbrella with the Grand World Voyage logo. (Every formal night—of which there are 19 for the whole trip—we are given a small gift. For the first formal, day 4, it was a journal with the GWV logo. Another night is was an aubergine bag.) The umbrella came early, so I guess we won’t be getting anything for the next formal.
A Few of the Early Formal Night Gifts