Vanuatu Part 1

Another blog post saying I’ve been lazy.  Well this time not so true! 

But time has flown by literally.  We retired on 31^st May.  After 2 weeks I had a call from an old friend. “Do you fancy a job in Vanuatu? “. That’s New Hebrides to you older readers….!

“Sure” was the reply. “Where, When and for how long ?”.  The “Where" was simple, the “When” was ASAP and the “How long” was up to you. !!

Retirement had not really been so exciting sitting around strumming the guitar, motor bike trip and playing with bits and pieces etc and of course a few beers and good food on the Bar B Q. That was in first two weeks.  So perhaps to early to judge. But always one for a trip.

So what to loose? Pack up the house and jump on a plane.  The project is to build some small wharfs for inter-island shipping. These are spread over the islands so really a lot of fun travelling around. Each island is different.  All fully decked out for tourists and so good hotels etc etc.  And I get paid !!!  Real simple and fun engineering. And Vanuatu.  Not a bad stop at all.  I’ve been to plenty of worse place believe you me…..

People are lovely.  Everyone happy and seem to find it so easy to break into a big smile. Foods good, beers good, climate perfect. What to loose in deed.

View from our Condo

Going round the island the main road. No cars. 

Golf Club for Owen....

Port Vila Market

................Shopping...........

Quick web facts

Vanuatu is a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands that stretch 1,300 kilometers. The islands offer scuba diving at coral reefs, underwater caverns and wrecks such as the WWII-era troopship SS President Coolidge. Hiking trails ascend active volcanoes such as Mt. Yasur. Other popular activities include rainforest ecotours, kayaking and deep-sea fishing, plus relaxing at resorts and spas.

• Capital:Port Vila
• Currency:Vanuatu vatu
• Population:252,763 (2013)

So there you have it.  Surprisingly few sandy beached in Efate due in part to the volcanic activity.  We got woken up one night with the apartment shaking.  Only a couple of bumps but a very very strange feeling….

I’m told the some of the other islands have fantastic diving, in fact some of the best in the world, and am looking forward to a trip in a couple of weeks time. Might take in a dive. Relax and instead of working tell myself this is paid retirement !!  There is one beach called “Champagne beach” due to the bubbling from air esca[ing from the ground.  A must see next weekend

Short History of Vanuatu... Very interesting

More starting tomorrow....