The Jensen clan (ex Port Vila & Club Hippique) at Jacintha and Ray's engagement, tonight, in Bendigo , Australia

 

Vanuatu's Only Pirate

The Yacht Cassiopeia - Home to Vanuatu's only pirate - Harold

Poi Dancer

Another shot of a Poi dancer at the 2007 Kite Surfing Championships. These dancers were all trained by Harold Neel from the yacht Cassiopeia.

Entertaining the crowd

Entertainment at the Kite Surfing Championships.



Poi Dancers

International Kite Surfing Challenge

The Imere 2007 International Kite Surfing Challenge was Vanuatu's first such event and was held on the peninsular near Hideaway Island on the 23-24 June. It was a great success with riders from Vanuatu, Australia, New Caledonia, France and New Zealand participating. The spectator turnout was fantastic with hundreds of people showing up on both days to watch the competition and other activities being held in conjunction with the event. Australians Andy and Keahi took first and third places (Andy winning a flight with Air Vanuatu to return and defend his crown next year), and Sebastian from New Caledonia took second place. A big thanks from John Abraham and Thomas David to all the sponsors, the riders, and all the helpers from Mele in making it such a great event.....look out for next year!

(More photos tomorrow)

Game, Set, and Sun Set

Enjoying a game of beach volleyball as the sun sets over Mele Bay. This was the venue for the first ever Vanuatu Kite Surfing Championships held over the weekend - photos tomorrow!

Wedding gift

 

Port Vila's famous Kiwanis Charity Race Day is on soon

 
Check out what it's been like in the past by clicking here

Port Vila comes of age

The new Sebel Hotel - on the main streen in Port Vila. While not officially open the doors are, so we are starting to get a look at this magnificant hotel - a first for Pt Vila. Stay tuned for further updates.


Aerial photo by Glen Craig - Helicoptor pilot Simon (Iceman) Bothamley.

This is special!

To be able to see this type of traditional dancing performed by locals from their islands is an amazing opportunity.

So cute!

Another one of the local girls from the Polynesian dance troupe.

Notes from the dancers:

The name of the group is Hokulani, meaning stars from heaven in Hawaiian & we have been up and running for two years. Consists of various dancers from various ethnicity - Ni-Vanuatu, Wallisian, Chinese, Japanese, Tongan.

Background of the dances performed: Polynesian dances from Hawaii and Tahiti and a knife dance from Kiribati.

Available to perform: private functions, birthdays, weddings etc... With the money that we receive this goes towards our costumes, music and an ex-gratia payment to our girls for all of their efforts in training.

Bookings / dance classes you can email: hokulanistars@gmail.com

Looking Good

A local ni-Vanuatu girl dances with the Polynesian Dancers at the Ocean Swim entertainment.

More Ocean Swim Photos

This lady may have come last overall, but she was greeted with huge applause and admiration for her effort in completing the 3200 metre event. She is 74 years old and won the Over 70 category. Well done.


Enjoying the entertainment.


Entertainment was provided on the beach by dancers from Malakula Island - here shown doing the "Canoe Dance".

2007 Vanuatu Ocean Swim

Start of yesterdays 2007 Vanuatu Ocean Swim - Starting and finishing from Iririki Beach

... and click here for pictures of the 2005 Vanuatu Ocean Swim

 

Heading home across the lagoon

 

Don't forget your greens!

Under a protective canopy these hydroponic lettuces thrive in the tropical heat.

Going Nowhere

Sailing boats at Le Lagon Resort waiting for someone to take them for a ride.

Hot Rock Fish

A Rainbow Runner being prepared for underground cooking using hot rocks and banana leaf - yum!

Holy Crash Landing

Experimenting in Pt Vila harbour with the "bat wing" - not for the faint hearted! (Malapoa in the background.)

Feeding time

Clare feeding a turtle at Blue Water Resort

Port Vila's landmark Courthouse destroyed by fire last week. From this ...

Courtesy of http://www.galenfrysinger.com/port-vila.htm

... to this

Photos of fire damage courtesy of Roy Ernst

Big Day Coming

Once a year Port Vila hosts the Kiwanis Race Day - this year on July 14, a huge event for local ex-pats and ni-Vanuatu. Horses that have enjoyed an otherwise laid-back year are dragged kicking and screaming into condition so that they might win a prestigious event. This photo was taken 15 minutes ago at my back door on the second lagoon, where some of these horses from Club Hippique are being conditioned by local horsemen. Giddy up!

Le Meridian

Looking down from the restaurant to the lagoon and the over-water bungalows at Le Meredian Resort, Port Vila. Shot early in the morning while all was still and misty.

35 kg of muscle

No, not Rory, thats 35kg of Yellowfin Tuna muscle - known for their fighing ability these fish hit hard and go deep. This Yellowfin was caught at the Devils Point FAD on 15kg line in the annual Marlin Classic.

Tribal Time

Mums and dads and kids enjoy the light and warmth of a camp fire on Kakula island.

The aliens are coming!

Jordan looks like he has seen a ghost as he sprints along the beach outside Tamanu Beach Club - illuminated by the late afternoon sun.