Vanuatu (van-WAH-too) means "our land" and the locals call themselves the Ni-Vanuatu peopleBefore the 1980 independence from the UK and France, this group of 83 islands were called the New Hebrides, a name given by explorer, Commander James Cook.
Although Vanuatu has three official languages (English, French, Bislama), there at least 105 distinct traditional languages! Vanuatu is known in particular for the following:
- The very friendly Ni-Vanuatu people
- Active Volcano of Mount Asur on the southern island of Tanna
- The active volcanoes on Ambrym Island
- Land diving on the Island of Pentecost
- Visiting the local villages where time has stand still for many years and where cases of Cannibalism still occurred until 19856.
- Excellent scuba diving, in particular ship wreck diving.
Smoke after each huge explosion of Mount Asur
A mother bathing her kids at the base of the roaring volcano
An exploding Mount Asur
Ekasup Village boy
Ekasup Village chief
Ekasup Village warrior
Ekasup Village boy with his mom
Ekasup Village warriors
Yakel tribe warming up in the morning sun
The afternoon ritual dance
The afternoon ritual dance
Most live in houses built on stilts high above the ground
Checking for insects?
Girls in traditional dress
Youngsters posing for a picture
Posing for the White Ghost!
The village-protecting tree fern figures
The lounge
My chalet on Tanna Island
Wild pig morning kill
Note how soon after each other these missionary's babies died.
Village on Tanna Island
NEXT TRIP TO VANUATU:
1. Checking up on Mount Yasur Volcano
2. Visit active volcanoes on Ambrym Island
3. Scuba diving on Santo Island in the north
4. Attend the early April land diving ceremonies (called naghol) on Pentecost Island
