Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

What a Welcome!

 

 

We walk towards the entrance and are suddenly greeted by a group of warriors in traditional tribal costume, with their faces painted, waving spears and chanting in a rather impressive and frightening way, but we need not fear, it’s just their way of welcoming us to their village.

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Hail to the Chief!

 

After a pretty scary welcome we are ushered through to a clearing where we meet the Chief, who presides over the proceedings. One of the warriors becomes our guide, and he speaks good English. 

He welcomes us and tells us about the village and the past and present culture of Vanuatu.

He emphasises the importance of their ancestors and of maintaining traditions, and speaks with great passion about passing them onto future generations. 

 

It is a talk full of love and nature, showing the gentle ways of these friendly people, and the emphasis they put on protecting the environment.

 

 

He shows us a large conch shell and describes how it was used to communicate, long before the advent of the mobile phone.

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Our guide is fascinating, and so animated. He obviously loves what he is doing and feels passionate about spreading the word about protecting the environment and taking care of the world for future generations. 

 

 

 

 

He shows us a fishing net, made from twigs formed into a triangular shape which is then filled in with spiders’ webs, which are, apparently, strong enough to catch fish in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

You Cannot Eat Money......

 

We move from area to area through the forest and are invited to sit in a small clearing.

 

Our guide reminds us that the future of the world lies in our hands, and that we owe it to our children, and our children's children, to protect it and save it for future generations. 

 

It is a powerful message.

 

 

He shows us the sad detritus of a modern world, plastic, bottles, so much rubbish, polluting our seas and choking our fish.

 

What are we doing to our beautiful world?  Acid rain, deforestation, ozone layer depletion - these gentle people can maybe see something which we are too busy to see. They certainly feel very strongly, as the sign shows:

                                         ''You made it

                                   We all got affected''

 

 

 

 

 

His talk certainly gave us food for thought. Hearing it in this serene jungle setting, it certainly has an impact. 

[ellie1145]

3 hours ago, Roger88 said:

Australia is one of those places that I want to visit at least once in my life time and not just to visit but to cross it from shore to shore. Its an amazing country with an amazing nature, history and native people who bear secrets of this land and more. Also it used to be one of those most safe places in the world along with New Zealand for a very long time. 

 

I whole heartedly agree, Roger88. It is a vast and wonderfully diverse country and we do so hope that we will be able to visit it again one day, and see more of it.

 

There is, apparently, a wonderful train that goes right across Australia. What a journey that must be!

 

Sadly, at our ages, time is running out, but we live in hopes that one day the world will recover and get back to something approaching normal.

[ellie1145]

More Traditions - Preserving Food

 

 

Although Vanuatu is an area of bountiful harvests and fertile lands, where mangoes, coconuts, papaya, tamarind and nuts flourish, it is also often affected by climate change, and cyclones.

 

For example they suffer poor mango seasons as the result of heavy rains caused by La Niña, and sometimes the fluctuations of climate result in fruit trees producing early, or late, or not at all. Cyclone periods are frequent, and so the native people of Vanuatu have developed traditional ways to store food for just such an eventuality, when food is unavailable.

 

 

 

One such tradition is the preserving of unripe bananas, which, when dried and buried can be later mixed with coconut and recooked years later. This is regarded as a delicacy, and apparently has a sweet flavour, and the consistency of cheese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vanuatans are no strangers to cyclones and food shortages so it was interesting to hear how they survived.

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Basket Making etc

 

 

We move to another part of the forest, and peer inside a hut where an elderly lady is weaving baskets by hand. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Fire Walking

 

 

Finally, we come to a large clearing where we are directed to a covered area with seating where we can watch cultural dancing and see fire walking at first hand.

 

 

 

 

 

In front of us, covered by a canopy of branches and leaves is a fire pit which we can see smoking gently.

 

 

 

 

We are invited to come nearer and as we stand round the pit we can feel the heat radiating off the hot coals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, one of the warriors prepares his feet before walking swiftly and confidently across the very hot coals. It’s an extraordinary experience to get a glimpse of this fascinating culture and to see this phenomenon close at hand.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

The Warriors Dance for Us

 

 

We then return to our seats and the traditional dancing and music begins. Its enchanting to see the children imitating the grown ups and copying their moves with imitation spears.

 

 

 

 

Isn’t he just the cutest? 

 

Wish I could dance like these two children!  Love their grass skirts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

The Children

 

Sitting behind the fire pit are some of the village women, with their beautiful children.

 

 

 

They smile warmly at us and seem quite unperturbed when we photograph their children - with their permission of course.

 

 

They are adorable, and display the same happy faces of this welcoming people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is heart warming to see the serenity and happiness of these ladies, and to see their children peering shyly at us.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 20, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

We Say Goodbye to the Friendly  People of Pepeyo

 

All too soon it is time to say goodbye to the warm and friendly people of Pepeyo. Of course, it's not a real village, where people reside permanently, but it is designed to show how people lived, and to pass on ancient traditions to those who visit.

 

The last time we were here our guide  was at university studying to be a meteorologist, and his enthusiasm for his island and his culture was infectious. We leave with a little more understanding of how important caring for our world is.  

 

 

As we depart we walk through a small area selling souvenirs, but there is no pressure to buy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Well, all you Cruising Adventurers, I hope you enjoyed our time at Pepeyo and you didn’t get eaten by the mozzies. 🤣

 

Next, we’re off to see the turtles.... and to have some lunch.

 

See you soon (bedtime!).

 

 

[ellie1145]

Morning, Winifred, you're out and about early 😉

[ellie1145]

The Turtles

 

After our Pepeyo visit,  it’s back on the coach and off to our next port of call, the Turtle Farm, where we will have lunch.

 

Our second van leads the way.

 

We drive along a pretty good road before turning off down a road full of potholes.

 

It’s an interesting drive, though rather bumpy, and I enjoy seeing more of the beautiful countryside.

 

We arrive at the turtle farm and pay our entrance fee, before being directed to the BBQ area where there are tables and benches set out.

 

 

It’s pretty basic, small pieces of chicken, beef and fish with salad and sweet potato fries, but we had a good breakfast so we are not massively hungry.

 

 

It’s certainly not high end and we don’t eat much as are always pretty wary of eating onshore, but people seem to be enjoying the food. The salad is in big pre-packed bags so looks reasonably hygienic, but it’s certainly not McDonalds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 21, 2020 by ellie1145

[Roger88]

Where is it located exactly? I was trying to spot this place on google maps and apple maps but I couldnt find it. It seems to me that this place is only there during tourist season and there is nothing during the rest of the year. Looks very nice 

[ellie1145]

6 minutes ago, Roger88 said:

 

Where is it located exactly? I was trying to spot this place on google maps and apple maps but I couldnt find it. It seems to me that this place is only there during tourist season and there is nothing during the rest of the year. Looks very nice 

 

 

Hi Roger88

 

This is the website for Pepeyo. It’s at Teouma, about 20 minutes from Port Vila.

 

https://pepeyotour.weebly.com/

Edited July 21, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

The Turtles

 

After a meal in the lovely sunshine we make our way to see the turtles.

 

There are some very large and elderly turtles in a big seawater pool, which people can feed with fruit, and there are two small tanks with younger turtles which can be handled under supervision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 21, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

 

 

 

 

We walk past an enclosure which has this huge crab in it.

 

 

 

 

 

We walk past the area where the turtles are and find a huge lagoon with crystal clear water, where some of our party are swimming. It looks amazing. We wish we had time to swim, too.

 

 

Further on we can see the sea, with waves breaking on rocks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

A Little Pig Goes a Long Way

Duchess: The fact is that pigs don't have a purpose...

Babe: They eat pigs?

Duchesss: Pork, they call it. Or bacon. They only call them pigs when they're alive.

 

There are some large and well fed pigs nearby. I guess their mothers love them? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy as a pig in mud. This one is oblivious to our attentions. Reminds me of someone.....

 

 

 

Even the dog is exhausted.

 

Edited July 21, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Fish Are Friends Not Food

I’m a nice shark, not a mindless eating machine...  Finding Nemo

 

Time to make our way back to the van.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We begin to make our way back and take a quick look at the sharks, which are in large enclosed pools.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 21, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

Off to Elton Beach

 

 

It’s been an interesting afternoon. It’s pretty basic, and definitely not like Seaworld, but it does at least provide employment for local people and a much needed source of income for the villagers.

 

Children seemed to love getting up close and personal with the turtles, me not so much. 

 

But for now we must get back in the van and drive down the bumpy road to our next port of call, the beautiful Elton Beach.

 

 

[CruzinNoony]

Hi Ellie,  Just to give you an update.  I will be starting on page 21 and can't wait to board!  I loved your tour of the Old Governor House.  As usual, wonderful photos.  I am also very interested in historic houses.   We went to the wildlife park, as well.  Do you remember seeing the Tasmanian Devil?  He just went around in circles in his pen.  Scary little guy.

[ellie1145]

40 minutes ago, CruzinNoony said:

Hi Ellie,  Just to give you an update.  I will be starting on page 21 and can't wait to board!  I loved your tour of the Old Governor House.  As usual, wonderful photos.  I am also very interested in historic houses.   We went to the wildlife park, as well.  Do you remember seeing the Tasmanian Devil?  He just went around in circles in his pen.  Scary little guy.

Fantastic news! You are nearly with us - we will be waiting for you to board!

 

The Old Government House was really wonderful, as was the cream tea😉

 

No, we didn’t see the Tasmanian Devil. Well, actually it  was in its den and we could just see it’s nose, but it was too dark to take a photo.

 

Glad to have you along.

 

 

[ellie1145]

Eton Beach

(not to be confused with Elton Beach, which is, of course, on the Yellow Brick Rd)

 

 

This map shows Eton Beach in red, and beside it, the Blue Lagoon. 

 

Apologies for the slight red reflection caused by the van windows

Cows grazing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now we are on our way to Eton beach, and for me it’s the first time I’ve been to this lovely area.

 

 

The beach is owned by the village of Eton, so there is a small charge to use it, but it’s good to feel that we are supporting the local economy. It’s a poor island, and people scrape a living as best they can, but the one thing that stands out is their friendliness and joy for living.

 

Eton Beach is about a 45 minute drive from Port Vila, and around 2km from our next stop, the Blue Lagoon. It is a dazzling white-sand beach, with crystal clear turquoise and blue water in a lagoon.

 

There is a small river inlet where you can also paddle and swim, and beyond the entrance to the lagoon there is open sea. It is very safe to swim in and perfect for families.

 

 

Edited July 22, 2020 by ellie1145