From 9 to 18 March 2023
My first destination for 10 days is the Republic of Vanuatu.
I am very happy (and proud!) that I will cross the Pacific Ocean
during 7 weeks with 2 bags weighing less than 13 kg !
Made up of 83 islands, most of them of volcanic origin, discovered by Europeans in 1606, the archipelago experienced slow colonization until the end of the 19th century. Following a conflict of interests between France and the United Kingdom, they decided in 1904 to set up a joint administration the “New Hebrides condominium”. On July 30, 1980, the New Hebrides became independent and was named “Vanuatu”.
For more information => https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanuatu
Port Vila is the capital, located on the island of Efate
My arrival on Vanuatu was soon after tropical Cyclone Judy hit the archipelago of Vanuatu on 1 March 2023, followed by by Tropical Cyclone Kevin just two days later. The Category 4 cyclones affected about 66 percent of the total population, causing significant damage due to wind, heavy rains, flooding and storm surge.
After a "poor" hostel, this is where I stayed...
By car, with other tourists, we visited some parts of the island of Efate
Back in Port Vila, I will meet Clement and have dinner at his famous restaurant!
Another evening, another restaurant...
One of the highlights of Vanuatu is to fly to
Tanna island and witness the active volcano of Mt Yasur.
Mount Yasur is a volcano on Tanna Island, 361 m above sea level, on the coast near Sulphur Bay, northeast of the taller Mount Tukosmera, which was active in the Pleistocene.
It has a largely unvegetated pyroclastic cone with a nearly circular summit crater 400 m in diameter. It is a stratovolcano, caused by the eastward-moving Indo-Australian Plate being subducted under the westward-moving Pacific Plate.
It has been erupting nearly continuously for several hundred years, although it can usually be approached safely. Its eruptions, which often occur several times an hour, are classified as Strombolian or Vulcanian. A large lava plain creeps across the valley at the base.
The glow of the volcano was apparently what attracted Captain James Cook on the first European journey to the island in 1774.
Today, the mountain is a sacred area for the John Frum cargo cult. Members of the cult revere John Frum, a deified messenger who foretold the bringing of wealth to the island by American forces, and believe he resides in Mount Yasur with his countrymen. The village of Sulphur Bay, the center of the movement, claims the volcano as part of their territory.
As we are about to take-off, from the taxiway we can see what the cyclones did to one aircraft...
. Recto for one plane (a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander)
- Verso for another one ! .
. As well as some other smaller planes!
With other visitors, we shall ride in a pick-up (like this one) about 30 kilometers from the airport to the campsite...
The tree-house that I had booked had been destroyed by the recent cyclones...
... I have to settle for a cabin on the ground : not so exciting...
Somehow, the neighbour's tree-house wasn't destroyed...
At about 17h00, I start a long walk up the crater to reach the rim at sunset.
The next morning, I feel energetic and will walk 8 km (x 2!)
to visit a small fishing village
The cyclones fell many trees that have to be cut to clear the road...
On the appointed date when I reached the airport, all passengers got news that our aircraft has a technical problem, it will not come today.
- It SHOULD arrive the next day...
So... after my little cabin, I get to go to a nice beach hotel...
... The next day, the aircraft is not yet ready!
The following morning, Air Vanuatu sends a small "de Havilland Twin Otter" that will have to make 2 trips to get back all passengers that could not go on the larger "ATR 72" that was not yet fixed.
... Good fun to fly in a small aircraft !
The next day I fly from Port Vila to Nouméa, my next destination!
Click here to discover New Caledonia...