First port of call was Mystery Island in Vanuatu. A tiny island, it takes only 30 minutes to circumnavigate it. The beach is made of coarse, rough coral. Nobody lives there but the locals come over to sell goods to the cruise passengers. The island has an air strip on it to service the nearby mountainous island (seen in the background).
Family on Mystery Island.
The Pacific Sun as seen from Mystery Island, Vanuatu.
Why is it called Mystery Island? Mysteriously Beautiful…
Enreal, nothing so romantic I’m afraid. There is an airstrip on the island that was built in WWII. The allies used this island to launch attacks on the Japanese and they couldn’t work out where the planes were coming from – hence it was a mystery…
Greetings to Zenuria, from a sister sojourner,
I stumbled upon your blog while searching for images of the Isle of Pines. I’m thinking of taking my family on a cruise to Caledonia and Vanuatu in April 2009 on a Royal Caribbean ship.
We’ve never been to the Pacific islands and what I really look forward to experiencing is the scuba diving and the beaches. Cruising is good value, although, like you, I’m not the “cruising” type. I’m not interested in casinos, what I want to see is the beauty of the South Pacific and to give our daughters the chance to experience a different culture.
Do you regret this trip or was it worthwhile?
Gondwanamama, I don’t regret the trip but wouldn’t repeat it again. I’d just fly to the islands in question if I wanted to return. Isle of Pines was lovely and I wouldn’t mind returning one day but the other places didn’t really appeal to me. But then I’m not into diving or swimming – if you are then it is worthwhile going. I would have loved to have got into the mountains in Noumea but the tour was cancelled so I only stuck to the coastline. There was plenty of deckspace on the ship to sit and stare at the passing ocean which is what i spent most time doing.
Thanks for your reply. Those photos you took of the Isle of Pines are lovely, BTW. Are those Norfolk Pines? It is a beautiful place of contrasts – those tall pines overlooking sparkling aquamarine water and snow white sand. It’s a bit of the Black Forest meets the tropics…
Sorry to hear that you missed out exploring more of natural Noumea.
Well, I’ve decided to look at other options, just to be sure. I’ll go to a couple of travel agencies and see what’s available. Still, the cruise looks like good value. I must admit – I’m a water baby and I love the Pacific, so a cruise is very inviting.
When I was in my 20’s I worked as a deckhand for one season on a small salmon troller on the west coast of Vancouver Island and I loved it – I felt right at home. It was my grand adventure in God’s Own Country. If you ever have the chance, please visit Tofino. It is very, very beautiful and well named Canada’s “Sunset Capital”. Here’s a nice shot of the harbour:
http://www.gotofino.com/tofinophotographyweekly/index.html
We are blessed every day to awaken hearing bird song. It’s lovely here, but I miss the seashore; the fragrance of seawater and the soothing sound of the tide. I’m dreaming of warm crystal water, coral reefs and colorful sea creatures.
Lovely to share travel stories with you…
Hmmm, that was interesting. Looks like somethings will always remain mystery.
I myself has been trying to solve the mystery of the legend that forces you to have “earn it before
having it”, for a wile now. Could not understand much though.
Let me know in case you get to understand the mystery of the Old Hound and the Legend
By the way, good writing style. I’d love to read more on similar topics
Man, I followed that the dark truth link, and was completely in the story. Damn exciting. The latest post talks about a friend of him who’s gone missing . Somewhere on his way to Leh, India. And the guy is asking for help find it. Soundss like an online game . This looks interesting. M already hooked on.
Hey, btw, nice post you have there – keep rocking –