Wade's Travels

The morning was had wandering the town centre attempting to pick up our rented 150cc scooter - didn't eventuate - not a good sign when the hire man says 'won't be long.. Just fixing the brakes... Oh oops now the brake fluid is leaking.. Come back tomorrow I will do you a deal'.. 'Ahh nah mate she's right. I'll walk'. ..although he did offer one curious parting comment.. 'maybe it just wasn't meant to be.. It might rain who knows' . More on that later

Met a lovely local bus driver - little mini vans all over the city that cost only 150-400vt depending where u are going. His name was Karl and he got us out the the Mele falls (aka the cascades)- twin waterfalls that flow right down the mountain. We spent a few hours there playing in the pools and spray. Awesome time.

After the falls we walked the 5 kms to the ferry service to hideaway island - there is a nice little beach shack bar with free Internet!!! On the landward side of the ferry perfect lunch location after a walk in the humid afternoon. So as we tucked into lunch.. An
Afternoon shower drenched all and sundry. Hideaway island and trip
To underwater post office postponed.

Dinner at local steakhouse 'the flaming bull' now some will go mental at this but Frankie had the coconut crab. It is contentious due to the fact that they may or may not be endangered species. I offer no judgement either way, his argument was that they should not be so blatantly on the menu if they are.

Both awoken at 0200hrs by ferocious storm that after enjoying hearing the thunderous wind and driving rain ( total prose isn't it) we turned to the practicalities - moving bags as the wind was driving the rain under our balcony door, blocking said door with towels. Even had a discussion about the need to pack a 'go bag' in case an evacuation was called...

It's now 0300hrs and I am going to try and get back to sleep.. Hopefully
W

Shopped around Port Vila looking at scooters to rent for a few days.
Afternoon was our friends wedding on Erokor island which is a resort only a few mins across a short shallow inlet by boat from Port Vila. Needless to say both bride and groom looked amazing.

W

Day 2.

Today was our lazy day- wandered into Port Vila to change some money- locally the exchange rate was 1 aud = 93.67vt. Out of Sydney at Travel ex was 74 something. Big difference !!

We enquired about hiring a scooter for a few days to zip around on like I do in Bali but the man wanted 3500vt / day with a restricted range around the island Maybe later but at the moment we are content with walking or catching the local buses for 150vt each.

I finally got jack of using this travel sim I brought in Aust that is meant to give you cheaper rates.. I got a local sim and am paying 1/4 the price for SMS. As for data in Port Vila - 7000vt for 500mb of 3G - that's almost 150 aud for 1 gb.

I got the 2000vt 100mb plan and just use it to check email when I can not find wifi.

Have been lazing around the pool practicing our snorkeling after our embarrassing attempts yesterday. Lots of under water pics with the Nikon aw100 camera.

Will head out for dinner tonight.

W

Well I am starting to realise that you cannot do Port Vila on the cheap.. 2000vt (approx $19.50) for a taxi 25mins out of town to visit Frankie's cousins oh and he left his camera in the taxi.

Dinner was at one of Port Vila's nicest (read pricey) restaurants last night - worked out $45pp for 6 ppl - mains and two bottles of wine.. Yes the food was good but not what I would call AMAZING. While it sounds like I am whining I am merely trying to show we have spend close to $600aud already in our first 48hours - my first year in Bali including flights for 14 days was $2000

Day 1

In the morning I spoke with the reception and they explained they have
issues with the site we booked thought and never received our booking.
They were more than happy to accommodate us - all sorted

While walking into the main CBD of Port Vila I received an email
stating that I had sent a PayPal payment to the US for 145.00 hmm nope
- so will have to sort that. Both with PayPal and my bank.

Today we booked a tour and went for a swim at the blue lagoon, wanting
to try out our snorkeling skills, put plainly we are hopeless
snorkelers. I breath like a steam train and Frankie can't swim in
places he can't touch the bottom. Additionally today we went to feed
the sea turtles, big ones, small ones - some as big as your head!!
Apparently they like pawpaw - my only question is how do they climb
the trees and use the knifes to open them with their flippers ??

Frankie as usual screamed like a a girl when one moved while he was feeding it.
Off for dinner soon, that's all for now

W