There was a splendid array of umbrellas and balloons.
On Saturday they had the actual Independence day. Dignitaries made speeches and the Vanuatu Defence Force marched past. They were very smart, in step and proudly showing off their news weapons that had apparently been given by the French having seen use in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There was then a sail past of some of the provincial boats. The crowd adjourned to the shore line and after about 40 minutes a ragged procession of odd sized boats proceeded down the Segond Canal. It was a good opportunity just to enjoy the sea breeze and the children to pick over stones on the reef looking for crabs. Some like Lemarco choose to just sit out.
The young hang around. Lots of women had their colourful aelan dresses and their daughters dressed up too. It was a good time to catch up with friends and let the children play around. Some were not so amused as others or maybe just bored.
There were many stalls selling laplap (baked traditional food), barbecued meat, grilled fish or banana cake. Music was provided by many bands and in the evening the Kava stalls opened. We retired before the evening got going.
On Saturday they had the actual Independence day. Dignitaries made speeches and the Vanuatu Defence Force marched past. They were very smart, in step and proudly showing off their news weapons that had apparently been given by the French having seen use in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There was then a sail past of some of the provincial boats. The crowd adjourned to the shore line and after about 40 minutes a ragged procession of odd sized boats proceeded down the Segond Canal. It was a good opportunity just to enjoy the sea breeze and the children to pick over stones on the reef looking for crabs. Some like Lemarco choose to just sit out.
The young hang around. Lots of women had their colourful aelan dresses and their daughters dressed up too. It was a good time to catch up with friends and let the children play around. Some were not so amused as others or maybe just bored.
There were many stalls selling laplap (baked traditional food), barbecued meat, grilled fish or banana cake. Music was provided by many bands and in the evening the Kava stalls opened. We retired before the evening got going.
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