"This is the beach where they filmed Survivor Australia series", our tour guide beamed, showing us the white sand beach. Port Vila is a beautiful city and one can go around the island by hiring a tourist taxi. It is always safe to have a taxi arranged by the hotel. One can find the remnants of the past exploits, migration, and wars in their cuisine, language, and culture. It is a mixture of Polynesian, Portugese, French, British influence and the native Melanesian traits. The interior villages retain the original tradition and the ethnic pride.
Our tour guide cum driver is a local Melanesian with a wealth of knowledge about the island. Vanuatu comprise of 83 islands and most of them are not easily accesible due to the volcanos and steep mountains. Port Vila is the capital with a nice small harbor, tourism related business and government offices.
The taxi veered around the busy city center towards the coastal road. I wanted to meet the locals to know more about their lifestyle. He stopped at a traditional village where the houses do not have electricity. The street lights are powered by solar lights installed by a Japanese firm. I chatted with the locals and the taxi driver was the translator.
The villagers lead a very contented life with what they get from the pacific Ocean and the fertile land. The land gives them coconuts, bananas, taro and other vegetables and fruits. A simple non-matrialistic life much tuned with the moods of nature. I felt that they know how to adore nature and know the art of living in harmony with the nature. Why would anyone want to change them!
The locals adore the Americans. Their legend goes back to World War II when the famous cargo planes arrived and the cult of nationalism. When I said that I come from the USA they were very happy and offered me tender coconut water which is my favorite drink. They also suggested that I must try Kava Kava a local drink made out of Kava root which has a relaxing effect aka intoxication. Instead of the strong Kava drink I preferred the mild Kava tea which tasted like tea made out of galanga roots.
The following day we went to the Lelepa Island on a Sail Boat for snorkeling and island tour. On the way back, a large bloom of jelly fish with beautiful umbrella like shape were floating on the ocean. I have never seen such a large group in yellow, white, orange colors. We also spotted some dolphins.
The boat cruised back to Port Vila in the evening. The hotel chef was happy to know that I am originally from India. He said his ancestors were from India who migrated to Fiji sometime in the late 1800's. Guess what.... for me, he made a great vegetarian dinner with coconut, taro, pine apple and green banana curry.
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