Day 2 in Vanuatu

We awoke mid morning, amazed at how quiet everything was and how dark our unit was. The wooden shutters cut every bit of light out and as we discovered, We were only 1 unit or apartment of 10. I loved the emphasis put on some things in our place.  The owners were French, and as such good quality ground coffee was an essential addition to our kitchen.  Soap, however, was not.

The kids bedroom was enormous and sported a  large TV and DVD player - which proved to be a real asset over the next few days.  Our kitchen was on the landing. We sat on the side of a hill overlooking the bay. Directly below us was a small swimming pool and a jetty stretching out into the water. The private beach was small, but secluded and the hammock was never busy.. Bliss.

We gathered our wits and walked into the town centre. It was all down hill -  about twenty mins. We had plans to take canoes next time - but I’ll let you know how that venture went when we get there!

Very glad we came the extra day before - as Christmas Eve was a public holiday and shops and Markets were not open now for another 5 days. We mooched round Port looking at fresh food markets and delighting in different sounds and smells. 

As it was close to lunch we decided to check out one of the recommended cafes from the Lonely Planet. Jills Cafe was a bubble of peace in the madness of tourists and daily bustle of locals. It was an interesting mix of an American/mexican diner infused with the local islander flavours. Very cool, comfy and attentive service ( a big thing in Vanuatu.. believe me). We found that it had excellent prices for its food. Salad plate was 450 v ($4.50) and substantial enough for lunch. We all agreed it had the best icecream ever - especailly as two scoops was 200 v.  I opted for a brilliant home made flour torteas made into chips for a bean nachos yum. 

After lunch,  Lilly and I  headed over to the clothes market on the port and got our hair braided. It might be a bit touristy - but I did it so we didn't need to worry about washing and styling stringy hot hair for the humidity and heat and for the numerous times we climbed in and out of salt water. 3500 v for both of us. Not super cheap but I think worth it for saving of hassle. 

Morgan was not well and was very lethargic with a fever and sore tummy. He hadn’t been particularly well the day before - so I suspected he was coming down with a cold, rather than food poisoning or some tropical thing. The kids were awesome yesterday with all travel probs and we did arrive close to 2 am in the morning. So they can be excused for grumpiness  and tiredness to day.

We went back to the Markets and bought a bunch of fruit and salad veges.  I couldn't get over the strings of crabs they had for sale.  not that they were being sold - but wondering how on earth they strung them so close to each other - still alive.  I took plenty of photos of the market place.

We conceded that we needed to get a taxi ‘home’ and then spent time in pool and on the small beach. 

 Age took one of the kayaks out and saw lots of fish and coral on his travels. I lay in the hammock and read a trashy book. I am so exhausted I just cant be arsed to look at tours or plan anything apart from a cocktail hammock and book.

Although I thought I might feel differently the next day, both Age and I were completely burnt out and desperately just needed to sleep and do great mounds of nothing.

It is a very different holiday start than what I am normally like.  I’d done some resreach, but nothing to the extent of arranging tours or planning how to see all the sights by bus and public transport.  I just felt uninspired and hollow.

Dinner was awesome - the best bananas we’d ever eaten - ever. on  whim I bought a large tray of a sort of tropical  raspberry - which Lilly scoffed most of,  I have grown to like the red pawpaw and of course we had a huge string of coconuts - so had fresh coconut to munch on. Age made fantastic green smoothie from fresh lettuce from market( got a dozen baby ones on a string) pineapple and banana. 

Over dinner, Lilly announced she wants to move here.

Morgan and Age went down at the jetty after dinner and fished by torchlight. Apparently, the best bait is pawpaw. They got a few nibbles but nothing big enough to haul in.

Incredibly, I was in bed and asleep by 10. Unheard of.