Lat: 20:14.3 S: Long: 169:46.6 E

7^th July, 2013 – Analghawat Bay, Anatom, Vanuatu

Vanuatu (known as the New Hebrides until independence in 1980) is a chain of 13 large and about 70 small mountainous islands formed by the crest of a submarine ridge, with several active volcanoes. Earthquakes are apparently quite frequent but of such low intensity they are seldom noticed and no, we didn’t feel the earth move at any time.

Arriving in Anatom, Vanuatu, we were welcomed by Keith, who paddled out in his log canoe to invite us ashore. There we were able to watch an inter-village football and volleyball tournament.  Although it appeared quite casual, perhaps on a par with Sunday football back home, there was a good crowd of supporters and some enthusiastic perfomances despite the less-than-perfect pitches.  Two-thirds of the football pitch was reasonably flat, the rest was uphill with a few large trees and bushes to make it a little more interesting. The ladies’ volleyball pitch on the beach also had a few obstacles.

We were told to feel free to wander anywhere around the village where we were met with friendly waves and greetings. Once again we saw a variety of buildings – some made of mud and palm leaves, others of wood and thatch and still others of corrugated iron and assorted materials. Surprisingly we even found a bank in a little shack which was able to change currency for us, complete with instructions in pidgin English! A team of young archaeologists from New Zealand were carefully excavating various sites in search of evidence of early settlers – without much more than a few shards of pottery to show so far.

While in Fiji we had been advised to stock up on second-hand clothing to give away as gifts in Vanuatu, so we spent about $50 on t-shirts, shorts and dresses for men, women, children and babies. Having washed and ironed them they looked as good as new and were eagerly received by villagers who then returned the gesture by bringing us small gifts of fruit, vegetables and hand-woven straw bags.