Friday 30 th July  

Efate is the main Island of Vanuatu, where the capital Port Vila is situated and where the majority of commerce and tourism takes place. The colourful market is open twenty four hours a day. When you walk past of an evening the stallholders are asleep underneath their stalls.

In 1906 the english and French government esablished the Anglo - French Condominium, Vanuatu would be ruled equally by the two colonial powers. Cynics called the Condominium 'the Pandemonium'. There were two education systems, two police forces and two currencies.

In November 1979 the Condominium authoroties agreed to hold the country's first general election. THe Vanua'aku party were clear winners. Independence was fixed for 30 th July 1980.

Today is Independence Day and all of Vanuatu is celebrating. We followed the crowds to Parliament Park where all the activities were taking place. It is a four day event which started on Thursday. Thankfully we missed the traditional live slaughtering of the pig , which took place on the opening day. Today is the main day and a large stage had been erected in the centre of the park, we sat amongst the locals enjoying the traditional and non - traditional dancing and singing.

Womens Independence group                                                                                   Sat amogst the crowds

Colurful Ladies                                                                                                     Rapping - not so traditional

National colours                                                                             cool dude

It was also Pete from Bali Blue 60 th birthday and a party had been organised that evening at ‘Café du Village’ restaurant. 40 of us met at 6.30 pm for cocktails followed by dinner.