Thursday, August 06, 2009

Cruise around the pacific

Cruising in the Pacific Sun around the Pacific.
Mystery Island. Vanuatu Group.


We have been away on a cruise around parts of the Pacific on board the Pacific Sun. After 3days off sailing on the ocean with no sight of land we came to our first port of call. Mystery island Vanuatu. Everyone was pleased to see land again and was anxious to be off on dry land, it was a rush to get on the tenders to be transported to the shore. There were flowers and greenery all along the rather shaky wharf to greet and welcome us.
Here we are sitting on a log on the beach of a deserted island called Mystery Island, no one lives here, but lots of natives from neighbouring islands paddle over to sell shells , sarongs trinkets and other things. We walked all the way around this small island, stopping for a swim along the way. Athough there was apparently loads of pretty corals and masses of pretty shoals of fish we saw very little as we choose the wrong part of the beach, but no problems we saw some.
While at the market I stopped to chat with a lady and asked where I could buy some lap lap which is their native food, and I quite like the taste, she offered to share her lap lap lunch with me, so I sat down at the little stall and encouraged all the fellow cruise passengers to buy her produce while she got out three different types of lap lap. She carefully cut off a piece of each type for me to try with her. I enjoyed eating and chatting with her. I think I made her day, especially when so many people stopped to buy her goods, she had a good day.
We found a group of men selling green lobsters to willing buyers from the ship, the men cooked the lobster right in front of the diners over small open fires. We were too late, they had sold all the lobsters they had caught and were then going out to try and catch more.
As we walked around the island we discovered the landing strip and even saw a small plane land at the airport, the sole building on the island is the airport terminal. Near there we found this very rustic memorial to when the Queen Elizabeth of England landed on the island in 1983 I think it was. We were astounded that she would have visited such a tiny place.

My World for this week is rather far from home. check out other great posts.

12 comments:

Rajesh said...

It is good to see you back from the cruise with fabulous snaps.

SandyCarlson said...

What a wonderful trip. Looks very relaxing and inviting. You have made me hungry for seafood!

Amrita said...

Looks like you had a great time

Stephanie V said...

Such a beautiful island. Looking forward to more photos from your trip. What is lap lap?

rainfield61 said...

Welcome back with so many wonderful pictures, and stories.

Stephanie V said...

Thanks for the visit and the explanation. It sounds quite tasty. Maybe if I ever get to Vanuatu...

Glennis said...

Stephanie V.
You asked me what lap lap is - well it is the national food of Vanuatu.
It is made of Maniac or tapioca, it is cooked wrapped in banana leaves and under the ground in the embers. The maniac is covered with coconut cream and other things; spinach, fish, chicken, banana or pawpaw etc before it is wrapped up tightly in the leaves. It is basically a starch like our potatoes or rice, a solid block of cream coloured sort of thick jellish substance, I quite like it.
In NZ people would buy a hot pie, in USA maybe a hamburger or hot dog, when hungry in Vanuatu they buy lap lap.
I decided to post this explanation as other might also wonder just what Lap lap is.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Lucky you. Bet you are having a great time.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Lucky you. Bet you are having a great time.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Lucky you. Bet you are having a great time.

Hit 40 said...

I think you found the Island from the tv show LOST!! Very cool. Green lobsters?? Wow! You are brave to even ponder trying a bite.

kleine-creative-Welt said...

what a exciting adventure -
very interesting story - thanks -
Ruth