In the early morning light, the bridge officers of the National Geographic Endeavour guided us into the surrounding harbor of Port Vila. Docking during breakfast, we anticipated a morning spent touring the town and some of the cultural sites of the area. However, the plans slowly changed as a somewhat frustrating local drama unfolded.
Disembarking the ship, people strolled slowly through a small but colorful market before gathering to board various forms of transportation. At one end of the dock, we gathered only to find out that the local taxi drivers said this was their territory and tour transportation was suppose to use the other end of the dock. After passing through the market again, we were divided into groups for a couple of different options for the morning’s activity. But in the short time of walking through the market, the taxi driver union had set up a blockade across the road, and we were again thwarted in our attempt to visit Port Vila. After some heated discussions and interference from the police, it was decided to just return to the ship. We then spent the rest of the morning either shopping, relaxing on the ship or viewing a fine video on coral reefs. A few people had gone to town on their own, and we wanted to make sure that everyone had returned to the ship before leaving the dock.
The afternoon’s social atmosphere was completely the opposite. En route to our destination, we were treated to a talk from Stewart Bedford, a National Geographic funded research archaeologist who has been excavating ancient sites on the western side of Efate and on nearby Lelepa and Hat Islands. Dr. Bedford gave us an introduction to his work and some of the findings. Douglas, a local colleague of Dr Bedford’s then presented some of the plans to protect and recognize the areas we will visit as World Heritage Sites.
By mid-afternoon, we were headed into the shoreline on Efate Island to be the first group ever to visit the site of Chief Roimata’s village. To the local people, Chief Roimata was a hero. Prior to some 400 years ago or so, local groups were in constant wars with each other, and cannibalism was a common practice. In a performance to explain the significance of Chief Roimata, we discovered how the local groups came to peace with each other. Local guides took us through the forest covering the ancient village site. We then zipped across the Hilliard Channel to the island of Lelepa to see the large cave where Chief Roimata took his last breath. Lined up at the coral rubble beach was an impressive display of handicrafts. Topping off the day was a lovely sunset as we approached the ship in the National Geographic Endeavour’s fleet of Zodiacs.
Disembarking the ship, people strolled slowly through a small but colorful market before gathering to board various forms of transportation. At one end of the dock, we gathered only to find out that the local taxi drivers said this was their territory and tour transportation was suppose to use the other end of the dock. After passing through the market again, we were divided into groups for a couple of different options for the morning’s activity. But in the short time of walking through the market, the taxi driver union had set up a blockade across the road, and we were again thwarted in our attempt to visit Port Vila. After some heated discussions and interference from the police, it was decided to just return to the ship. We then spent the rest of the morning either shopping, relaxing on the ship or viewing a fine video on coral reefs. A few people had gone to town on their own, and we wanted to make sure that everyone had returned to the ship before leaving the dock.
The afternoon’s social atmosphere was completely the opposite. En route to our destination, we were treated to a talk from Stewart Bedford, a National Geographic funded research archaeologist who has been excavating ancient sites on the western side of Efate and on nearby Lelepa and Hat Islands. Dr. Bedford gave us an introduction to his work and some of the findings. Douglas, a local colleague of Dr Bedford’s then presented some of the plans to protect and recognize the areas we will visit as World Heritage Sites.
By mid-afternoon, we were headed into the shoreline on Efate Island to be the first group ever to visit the site of Chief Roimata’s village. To the local people, Chief Roimata was a hero. Prior to some 400 years ago or so, local groups were in constant wars with each other, and cannibalism was a common practice. In a performance to explain the significance of Chief Roimata, we discovered how the local groups came to peace with each other. Local guides took us through the forest covering the ancient village site. We then zipped across the Hilliard Channel to the island of Lelepa to see the large cave where Chief Roimata took his last breath. Lined up at the coral rubble beach was an impressive display of handicrafts. Topping off the day was a lovely sunset as we approached the ship in the National Geographic Endeavour’s fleet of Zodiacs.
