We landed in the independent nation of Vanuatu this morning. Port Vila is the capital and it’s on the island of Etafe, one of 83 islands that make up the country. All the islands are tiny specks in the Pacific where 200,000 souls call home.
Like all of the islands around here, this one is lush with greenery, flowers and palms and papaya that seem to grow out of nothing.
Two years ago a killer cyclone devastated this group of islands, and wiped a few of them bare, yet now there are trees and grasses in abundance. What does not regrow quickly are the works of man that take time to recreate. The homes and streets were destroyed and they are still being rebuilt. Today the capital city is being repaired, a convention center is being built;
Parliament has been restored;
some streets are getting paved. They are even expanding their port facility another 200 meters.
The people are a friendly group; more than willing to host haoles from the ships that visit about 3 to 4 times a month. While there are not stores per se, a thriving tent market opens with a ship is in town.
Housing covers the gamut from fancy
to basic.
Our guide did not have electricity and running water, yet when I asked if she wanted to live in one of the fancy houses, she said NO! She explained that it was too easy and folks needed to work to make a living.
The people are water babies. Our guide said her 2 year old swims like a fish and does not want anyone to guide him. She said all the kids are like that.
Not all is heavenly in this island paradise. Unemployment is high at about 50%; wages are low, 1.60-1.80 and hour. A person can have a maid working for them for less than ten dollars a day, and that’s a good job.
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