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A new - tu

October 2023
A short but fine adventure by David Read more
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  • TravelerA new - tu
    1
    Day 1

    On the leaving

    October 2, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Leaving at a more civilised time- not often I can see the bags on the porch in daylight! Have booked a reserved Uber - it worked well last time and I will be nice and early as I expect the airport to be very busy given the King has a birthday and it is end of school hols up here. Had a lazy pack then a swim and read at the pool. The Uber was a little late (4 mins) but we can excuse him this. I was waiting on the footpath and my neighbour came out in her Jetstar uniform- she said pity the Uber was nearly there - she could’ve given me a lift! The airport wasn’t nearly as busy as expected. Breezed through and up to the lounge. Overnighting at the Brisbane airport Ibis - I have good cred there having stayed many times - then a leisurely 🤞🤞 mid morning flight to Port Vila. Only a short trip but will give a taste.Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    22
    Day 2

    International

    October 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    A nice, fresh as snapper and chips dinner last night at Crib Point bar. Fun fact - Crib Point was where the Bee Gee brothers grew up! Easy getting to International but then the fun started. They wouldn’t me have my bag as carry on as they have a 7 kg limit so I had to check it in - Qantas privileges only with a Qantas tail on the aircraft was their story. Never had to check in in recent times - don’t like it! The security line was horrendous- again no privileges. Into the lounge and it was chockers. Nice coffee and bubbly and I had a reasonable brekkie. Just as I was finishing they brought around bacon and egg rolls - oh well - such is life…… Gazing out the window I have yet to spot the Air Vanuatu plane - the only plane they have for international use. It was down all last week throwing travel into chaos. I haven’t had the dreaded email but I will believe it when I am on it.Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    1111
    Day 2

    BNE - VLI …..Back of the bus

    October 3, 2023 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    My word - seat 29A! I remember very well the last time I was seated in the very back row. It was the day after the Port Arthur massacre - a flight back to Hobart from Maroochydore. I had been in Port Arthur just the week before…horrible time. There sure are no Qantas considerations- I didn’t even get an isle seat. Hopefully I get a view coming out/in. Glass half full - just about to take off and I am alone in the row of three- I will take this! Flying now — half the battle!
    Now arrived - sultry but VERY windy and looking like it could rain at any minute. The drive in from the airport was very Koh Samui. Lots of garages and small shops. On first impressions - everywhere is a little tired and clearly the economy is not booming. The main street meanders around a picturesque harbour. The hotel is more than adequate but here I wish I hadn’t been given top floor. Only 3 floors but stairs - brought back Haig St Kirra memories!! Nice balcony overlooking the pool. There is a pool bar with a cocktail person! Did the obligatory hike to a marche for some local beer to ‘welkam’ myself to Port Vila. Dinner is a little while away yet and I am hesitant to rush into the first place I see    Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    122125
    Day 3

    Downtown PV

    October 4, 2023 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    Up at a civilised hour but before the crowds. A difficult run on roads without footpaths- I will go another way tomorrow. Even so - it was hilly and warm and did the job. A much brighter day today but still windy. Buffet brekkie goes with the room so baguette with jam (hello Kerry) is the go. A walking morning- I wanted to see the National Museum, downtown Port Vila, the markets and whatever. The museum was ok but needs some love. The outdoor handicrafts market can be missed while the indoor one was much better. The Central Marche was excellent- beautifully presented produce. The food hall was not enticing with everything one should avoid when eating on the street. I had a lunch in view so not an issue. I bought the obligatory stubby holders, t shirt, fridge magnets (for me and my hairdresser!) and chillies. Didn’t they look (and taste) a picture. Back to my digs via an AMAZING Thai iced coffee. A bit of a breather then back down the hill to the highly recommended Waterfront Restaurant. Great position. Don’t usually have steak at lunch (rarely anytime) but Vanuatu Beef has a huge reputation so I thought - I am not here long and.. French wine is cheaper than Australian wine and the choice is better. The steak was excellent- truly - it was also HUGE, However - this was a must do in a prime spot. Waddled back up the hill to my digs and then to the pool for some sunshine. Dinner will be very light with tomorrow a day planned at a beach resort. Rang up to arrange a day pass at a lux beach resort that appears to have a lovely beach/pool/restaurants as per Kerry’s great idea in Choeng Mon. Catch a local B van for 150 VT ($2) - can’t go wrong!! A very relaxing day planned. This place is a very friendly and laid back spot.Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    2
    11
    Day 4

    Beachtime

    October 5, 2023 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    Nicer run this morning then baguette and jam. Another cruise ship heading in so my plan to be away from Port Vila is a good one! Earlier checkout tomorrow as Air Vanuatu has brought forward my flight by an hour - for my convenience. I had a little battle changing my transfer but finally found a way that didn't involve speaking to anyone! I then went down to reception to pay my bill. I went early because my main travel money is in my Qantas Travel Money card. It was declined yesterday at the restaurant so I didn't want any surprises tomorrow morning. Of course it was declined again so I had to use my CC which will have huge fees. The card worked beautifully in Singapore?? I tried to ring the international issue line but the message from the Vanuatu 'operator' was "you are not allowed to make this call" I was getting a little frustrated so went to the beach! So easy - cross the road from the hotel-find a space for the van to pull over, wait a minute, put your hand out and a B bus stops. Tell the driver where you want to go and he takes you (and others) to the door of their choosing. This was a 20 minute trip with 3 stops and bang - to the front door. All for 150VT ($2). The Breakas Resort was everything it said on the tin -sandy beach, infinity pool, bar and food. Very windy today but this place is a little sheltered. Beautifully sunny and warm with crystal clear water. Good job I brought my reef shoes as the coral came all the way into the beach.
    Spent the morning on the beach lounge then sojurned to the bar for a Tusker and a feed. I was tempted yesterday by the raw fish salad so it was a no brainier today. Real Raro memories where it was very similar with added coconut milk - our visit to Cooks was so long ago (don't mention the mountain). Beautiful lunch and a tip top excursion to round out my short trip to PV    Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    3
    4
    Day 4

    Au Revoir - Melanesian Port Vila

    October 5, 2023 in Vanuatu ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    A quick add on to finish life on island time as tomorrow could well be mayhem. As noted my flight has already been changed and I now learn of chaotic wind action in Sydney cancelling a 100 flights - wonderful news. A positive- my new (earlier) transfer time has been confirmed! Hopefully there are not any delays out of Port Vila as it is a small airport with not many delights. I will have plenty of time, if all goes well, to negotiate SYD International to SYD Domestic- I will have to train as I don’t have connecting flights (wouldn’t allow out of CNS). I am overnighting in BNE - again if all goes well. I will miss Kerry on Saturday morning by a few hours - she arrives for the christening at 9.30am I board at 6.05. Let’s see how the dice roll!! Dinner tonight? I didn’t want hotel fare and the weather was too dicey to venture far. As it was I had to transfer off the balcony because of a squall and wind gust. I went to the Marche to try and bring some Francoise into this old French province for a last taste. A Mediterranean red, batard, confit fois, brie and gouda (nearly France) made for a nice piqnique and a fitting finish. There is a fair amount of French in the local language and the streets are named (like) Rue Picardi, which was my address, but not like New Caledonia which is full on. Bring on tomorrow - THIS is travel!Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    1
    11
    Day 5

    Departee

    October 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    A bit drizzly this morning but not unpleasant - the wind has dropped. Pick up was on time and (despite my street pic where I caught a gap!) into the Friday morning traffic. Narrow streets and lots of vans and big lorrys. Made the airport in plenty of time. Security makes a meal of things here - everybody checks in their baggage but then has to take it to a security table where all bags are basically unpacked, everything felt and then 'repacked'. Not quite how I would re pack so looking forward to opening the case at the other end. No chillies to be worried about! A VERY basic terminal but luckily they took a c card for a water and a beer. I sold all my vatu earlier and only had about 300vt left. I can't imagine coming back soon and needing to keep some. Koh Samui is SO much nicer on every level. Having said that - I have very much enjoyed my short visit. My Telstra connection has disappeared so I will finish this post in SYD. The aircraft was 30 mins late leaving but I am closer to the front this time (6A)...... and, no Kerry - with two big boys in shorts next to me - a window seat is NOT best! This is a very ordinary airline experience - Jetstar without the service! (haha) It's a shame this is the only codeshare option for Qantas to Vanuatu.Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    1
    Day 5

    Hip hop

    October 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    In SYD and the much anticipated mayhem thankfully didn’t eventuate. A bit cloudy but not the wind of yesterday. A priceless view of Bondi Beach (interesting approach) and an always breathtaking view of the CBD. I was booked through to BNE but had to collect my checked-in bag 😡. I could now continue with it as carry on and not recheck it in - YAY!Amazingly the international terminal was deserted and the dreaded 3rd world bus transfer to domestic was easy peasey. Up to the business lounge for about 40 mins for a well anticipated bubbly. I was expecting the lounge to be Friday night full to bursting - not so.I even scored a window seat! The crew were late arriving for my BNE flight but no issues as I am overnighting again in BNE - just Staying Alive! (Thanks Theo!) the flight was chockers - but I was advised at the gate I had a seat change - same row but D not C and I reckon my mate and I had the only empty middle seat on the plane - that’s more like it. The Brisbane Bullets NBA team were on board - the roof needed to be quite a bit higher!!!Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    Day 5

    Travel spamming

    October 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    An uneventful and pleasant flight to Brisbane. The gate was opposite the exit to the car park/skytrain elevator which also leads to the airport hotels. Short walk, cheery welcome at reception and up to the top floor for the sunset view. Quickly settled in, right the mess left by Port Vila Airport Security then downstairs for my welcome drink and a feed. I like the food here and it is easy to handle. Ibis also do take out so it can be taken back to the room. I also could go next door to the Pullman if I wished and get the same Accor treatment. Of course I didn’t and had a perfectly good cheese burger with a refreshing bubbly. Welcome home to QLD DC!. One more post tomorrow and this trip is done. I have really enjoyed it and, while super short, has seemed very long. The art of doing stuff but not too much! My 34th new country ticked and I am pleased to add it to my list. I have a few travel adventures left then I will have achieved my Qantas aims. I can then look at travel in a more relaxed and sharing way. In the meantime- bring on tomorrow and travel to FNQ!Read more

  • TravelerA new - tu
    1
    Day 6

    Last leg(s)

    October 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Early start - brekkie in an almost empty lounge, the boarded on time. Gate 34 which is almost far enough away to be in the city. On another little Qantaslink E190 - nice enough aircraft but in BNE means down stairs and over the tarmac. Even more 3rd world than the SYD bus transfer. Anyway they shifted me again to give me an aisle seat with no companion- I noted the seat across the way where I originally was had a mum with a baby. Nice move Qantas! We had an AWOL passenger who had to have his bag removed and we eventually left 30 mins late. Not the mess around S&T had in Melbourne causing an earlier flight. Kerry said she was on time though. Arrived in good time - quick taxi, unpack, washing on then to Rusty’s for the week’s culture and provisions. Then back and quickly to the beach - one tropical paradise to another!
    Thanks for the follow everyone- always good to record and share the experience. I enjoyed the change of scenery and obviously different way of life. The way I do these sort of trips misses the travel magazine experiences but equally they miss some of the things I see. It also gives me an idea if I will return. Perhaps not Port Vila but I have added stuff to my memories that I relish!
    #funfact - it is Graeme Coles 40th birthday today.

    Happy birthday young fella and happy christening to baby Sandy    Read more

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