Sunday, March 15

Day 8 and we're in Luganville, even though the amended itinerary said Port Vila.  Apparently, they couldn't take us today, so we've back-tracked to the port we missed on Thursday.  The captain says we're aiming for Port Vila tomorrow in the hope that we can 'lend a hand' in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam.  We'll miss Lifou but are still on track for Mare on Tuesday.  I get the feeling we're wandering around looking for someone who will take us in.

We had dinner last night at Izumi, the Japanese specialty restaurant.  We signed up for three special dinners at a 20% discount.  There's one to go and we'll likely to go back to Izumi.  We really have a love affair with Japan and we think we'll have another trip there soon.  Princess Cruises has a 33-day cruise from Sydney to Tokyo in March, 2016.  Very tempting!

Luganville is just like Port Vila -a dirty, industrial port and sadly neglected.  There are signs of storm damage with bits of missing roof, etc.  However, the locals have made an effort to welcome us.  There's a colourful market set up and hordes of taxis and vans lined up.  Again, though, we'll probably stay on board.

We got talking this morning to a woman who began life at the Fairy Meadow migrant hostel.  We overhear conversations all the time referring to a Wollongong of Tassie.  A fellow opposite us in the dining room the other night had a Burnie Dockers shirt on.  You can't get away from it, can you?

The sun is starting to come out and if looks like being a nice day.