Jan Reflects after a Week in Vanuatu

From Jan after first week.

We are settling into our new lifestyle. Whilst Kate says her home is now the entire universe, I say it is where my feet are right now.

In short our flight went through smooth air and rough, drunken, loud and obnoxious fellow passengers. No wheelchair arrived at the aircraft so Air NZ will be receiving an email on both counts. Yes, I know that these people can be a bit of a bother on flights but considering they made their way up from behind and made free use of the seats in the more expensive part which included spaced seating and were not asked to return, I think I have a just cause to be grumpy old Jan!

However, all that aside we are settling down. Our motel is right on the main road so we have to keep the fumes out but we do not intend to be sitting here all day! We just need to walk outside and a "B" for bus will stop. These are vans that can range from shiny and well tended to the complete opposite. With only one exception, the drivers have all been very friendly and obliging. It is a standard fare if you go a metre or a mile.....  approximately $NZ1.25. They almost triple that for cruise ship passengers.

Now for those of you who have been on cruise ships please do not take offence. But; we avoid town on the 3 or 4 days a week in which the ships arrive.

So far, we have, in order, visited the Public Library, The National Museum, watched a cruise ship, supermarket shopping, around island tour and bought supplies in the markets beautiful ginger, garlic, chillies and those green veges that some people eat .

We are surprised at the cost of food here. The beef is fabulous and about $NZ11 per kg. Local veg are much cheaper than Wanaka, but then what wouldn't be? Not a ginger nut is to be found though but Marmite (NZ) is available. This is a very good thing as they confiscated my big jar at the border!

The around island tour yesterday exhausted us but gave us a good overview of Efate Island. We visited a couple of villages that are trying very hard to make a go of it. They consider tourism as the new "waterfall of prosperity". Where have I heard that one before?

We have much more to learn and understand but my senses of social needs and ex-pat mentality are becoming somewhat alert.

Cheers for now

Jan