We traveled the 60 nm from Anatom to the island of Tanna yesterday, arriving early afternoon. It was an easy crossing and we were joined by our friends Jacqui and David on their sailboat 'Jackster'. We have traveled with them much of the last month and plan on cruising and diving together as we move north in Vanuatu.
This place is quite amazing and fascinating. It almost feels prehistoric. There are supposed to be 30,000 people on this island, but they are scattered about in small simple villages, many of which are described as being 'kastom', which means they live and practice traditional customs – except for the cannibalism. In some villages in Vanuatu, the people are so kastom that the women wear only grass skirts and the men wear 'nambas' (banana leaf sheaths). The villages are then described as being 'big namba' or 'small namba' (big banana or small banana?).
The place we are anchored is a small narrow bay named Port Resolution, by Capt. Cook , when he first discovered it. It has the look of many tropical island villages, but there is that rumbling ..................... and the gritty ash that is always on the decks. On the rocky shore, right next to us, there are constant sprays of hot steam vents that rise up above the palm trees.
Tonight, we plan on jumping into the back of a pickup truck for the adventure to the open cauldron of the Yasur volcano, one of the most active and accessible volcanoes in the world. In early June this area was restricted because the volcano was especially active, but it seems to have settled now.
More to follow .................
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