Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu

The capital city of Vanuatu, Port Vila is the country’s largest city. Located on the south coast of the island of Efate, the area occupied by Port Vila has been inhabited for thousands of years. The first Europeans, from Spain, arrived in 1606 and in the 19th century French settlers established the municipality of Franceville. Franceville declared independence in 1889 and became the first self-governing nation to practice universal suffrage without distinction of sex or race. The population at the time was about 500 natives and less than 50 whites, so it was ironic that only the latter were permitted to hold office. France and the United Kingdom claimed parts of the country and in 1906 agreed to jointly managing the archipelago. An independence movement was established in the 1970s, and the Republic of Vanuatu was created in 1980. During World War II, Port Vila was an American and Australian airbase. Although Vanuatu has a parliamentary democracy headed by a President, there are also highly-placed people at village level including village Chiefs. Traditional culture remains strong here. Pigs, particularly those with rounded tusks, are considered a symbol of wealth throughout Vanuatu. In fact, a tusk is part of the national flag. Young men still undergo ceremonies to initiate them into manhood, including circumcision. Village clubhouses are popular places for men to meet and drink kava. Male and female-only sections are still common in most villages. Fish, taro, yams, papaya, pineapples, mangoes, plantains and coconuts are plentiful and scarcity of food is rarely ever an issue. Most food is cooked using hot stones, boiling or steaming. Fried food is not common at all. Vanuatuns boast about their healthy environment as there are almost no poisonous insects or reptiles on land or in the water around the island.

After leaving Luganville the ship passes between the islands of Ambrym and Epi on the port side and Malakula on the starboard side. The island of Ambryn has 2 airports which is quite unusual for an island that is only 25 square miles. The airports are located on the east and west side of the island. Ambrym is well known for its volcanic activities with 2 active volcanic cones in a 39 square mile caldera. This caldera contains several craters between the barren ash plains. On approaching Port Vila we will be entering the “Mele Bay”, where we will embark the local Pilot who will guide us through Port Vila Bay and Pontoon Bay before docking alongside the main wharf.