Here's cheers to 70 years, Port Vila and Platinum 🤞

[Seat0B]

Looks beautiful @Flyfrequently

 

[ellen10]

Loving your photos and recommendations!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Sunday - another beautiful day, one of rest - just rinse and repeat.
Early walk followed by breakfast, time by the pool and read 6 chapters of a book 15 year old granddaughter Missy insisted I read.


Very busy today at all the pools, I have realised it is the last day of NSW school holidays
This dad had himself sorted with his wine and vape

while his wife wrangled 3 kids under 5 in the pool!

But we all have a different take on what makes a holiday and by late afternoon Mr Flyfrequently was settled in front of the telly to watch Carlton finally win a match!

I found something useful to do


The hotel doesn't offer room service, it is logistically too difficult but you can order from the restaurant and collect it - worked for us.
Feels like a holiday

 

[MooTime]

If your interested in snorkeling Hideaway Island not far & very good coral n fish.

Underwater letterbox too, interesting. Just don't go on a cruise ship day.

 

[Flyfrequently]

If your interested in snorkeling Hideaway Island not far & very good coral n fish.

Underwater letterbox too, interesting. Just don't go on a cruise ship day.

Thanks @MooTime , not one to get my hair wet so no snorkelling or underwater PO for me! But am sure @ellen10 will take note.

I actually can't do  anything without my glasses which is frustrating but hopefully cataract surgery next Monday may give me a new outlook on life

 

[ellen10]

If your interested in snorkeling Hideaway Island not far & very good coral n fish.

Underwater letterbox too, interesting. Just don't go on a cruise ship day.

Thanks @MooTime , I love snorkeling! How did you get to hideaway island?
Is it an organised tour?

 

[pjm99au]

Top Rock has probably the best snorkelling. You can organise a driver and they do charge for access (common throughout Efate).

 

[k_sheep]

From my research, there's a $25AUD or 2000VUT fee to enter the island which includes the boat trip over.

 

[MooTime]

From my research, there's a $25AUD or 2000VUT fee to enter the island which includes the boat trip over.

That does sound familiar, we stayed on the island for number of says so the sort boat trip was inclusive.

Although returning late say 10-11pm it wasn't the easiest getting attention of the boat captain if he was on the island side as we were on main island side.

I remember we didn't have any other way of getting across, lucky we were heard in the end. no mobile use.

 

[Seat0B]

What’s the book please? I’m always keen for a good book.

 

[Flyfrequently]

What’s the book please? I’m always keen for a good book.

Part of a trilogy @Seat0B by Kevin Kwan who penned Crazy Rich Asians - "China Rich Girl" - Missy our 15 year old granddaughter gave it to me to read, especially when we told her we have eaten at one of the restaurants in London referenced in the story!
I have taken it away twice and she was a bit miffed I hadn't read it, am quite enjoying it though.
Doesn't take much brain power and it has big print

 

[Seat0B]

Part of a trilogy @Seat0B by Kevin Kwan who penned Crazy Rich Asians - "China Rich Girl" - Missy our 15 year old granddaughter gave it to me to read, especially when we told her we have eaten at one of the restaurants in London referenced in the story!
I have taken it away twice and she was a bit miffed I hadn't read it, am quite enjoying it though.
Doesn't take much brain power and it has big print

I liked Crazy Rich Asians so I might get it for my upcoming travels

 

[Flyfrequently]

"China Rich Girlfriend" has quite a few editions, the first being in 2016 @Seat0B
This edition was from a set of 3, a few years ago.

China Rich Girlfriend - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Flyfrequently]

Monday : As you do, checked my Qantas App to find DSC's had landed, Loyalty Bonus is there, LTS acknowledged, and with Mr Flyfrequently, his WP status updated.
He really has climbed the status ladder this year, had dropped to Silver, back up to SG now WP - "what's the big deal?" he says

Anyway, back on topic. The hotel is considerably quieter now that the long weekend and school holidays are over.
We had one of the 4 Sunset pools to ourselves all afternoon - 31•

Read my book some more, emailed Missy that I am half way through, she's impressed!

Swam some more.....
Wandered past Snorkeler's Cove, maybe 25 metres down to the beach

See quite a few folk snorkelling and using the complimentary kayaks and SUPs

Late afternoon and time to head over on the little ferry


Changed some more AUD - Goodies does not have an ATM but 20 paces away next to Western Union, there is one.

Both Fx facilities open Monday-Saturday and close at 4.30pm

Picked up some delicious Thai takeaway

What is there not to like about a holiday!

Another day done

 

[Flyfrequently]

Tuesday (and kudos to those on AFF who do their TR's on the go!)
Another day in paradise, waking to a beautiful still morning 24° at sunrise

Rinse, repeat, read, swim.....


Three nights a week, Iririki's Azure restaurant has a buffet night with no a la carte available.
So dinner is back at La La La

And they had Creme Brulee - delicious

I think some on AFF may know what this is on the table leg - Mr Flyfrequently had no idea!


Sad to see the Grand Hotel in a state of such disrepair since the earthquake in December

they hope to have it open by the end of June.


And yet next door and across the road were mostly ok damage wise.

They just go on with smiling and making the tourist/customer feel welcome.

Back to home base

 

[Ansett]

I enjoyed La La too great food and service with a nice aspect.

 

[Flyfrequently]

I enjoyed La La too great food and service with a nice aspect.

Back here again - lobster mornay tonight @Ansett

 

[Flyfrequently]

Following on eagerly - we fly out on Wednesday!

Are we there yet, are we there yet @k_sheep ?
We go tomorrow First coolish evening