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

[Flyfrequently]

No it's for your man bag.

Close @drron !

 

[Seat0B]

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

Too soon, @Flyfrequently, too soon . Still mourning the confiscation of my handbag hook at security in CBR !!

How thoughtful to have these built in at the restaurant.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Wednesday morning watching Majuro Chief and tugs heading in to Port Vila Harbour

And guided out Thursday morning

I grew up by the water, my Dad worked in Customs and as a Shipping Agent - am a bit of a "shipspotter".

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thursday: it's a bit cloudy this morning, being our last full day and after a message from Missy's Mum about "you really should get out more" decided to have a quick look around the island.
Of course, all usual tours

had left by this time and it is May Day, their Labour Day holiday!
Guest Experience staff were very obliging in arranging a driver to take us to a few places of interest.
Davis met us at the jetty, first stop was to the lookout point across Port Vila Bay, to the Anzac Memorial. It has recently been restored with the help of the Armed Forces of New Caledonia in time for last week's ceremony.

The Prime Minister's residence in the background

He then asked if we would like to see where he lived - yes, up for it!
Wasn't too sure about the 15 minute off road drive (rugged enough to dislodge a kidney stone I reckon!) into an elevated cool rainforest area.
It was very interesting to see and hear how humble many of the locals live. He is self sufficient in his little shack, has chickens

grows tapioca, avocados, lemons and oranges amongst other things.
They do not sell their produce but share it around in their community.

Next stop was to Pango Beach where out came his knife and three sweet, juicy oranges he had picked especially for us.
We just sat on the beach and enjoyed this special moment, listening to him talk about life on Efate, his 5 children and his travels.


Next was Breakas, a popular surf break

the area has a few hotels, Breakas Beach Resort being one of them.

Only wish I had snapped a photo of the sign "No Surfing on Sundays " for Surfer Flyfrequently!

Davis opened up about the December earthquake, showed us where the massive landslide was near the harbour on Wharf Rd.
He was at Blue Lagoon with Iririki guests that day. He returned them safely to the resort where they stayed for many days with no power, water or sewerage, until it was safe and possible for guests to be repatriated.

He asked if we would like to see the areas of devastation along Kumul Highway, the main thoroughfare.
As it was a public holiday, the market and almost all the shops were closed. The road only reopened to vehicular traffic recently, but some areas are still roped off with no pedestrian access.
Many buildings are condemned and yet to be demolished.
This was where the Billabong store was located resulting in 14 deaths


Olympic Hotel was on the opposite corner

@pjm99au had similar photos 10 days ago.

Back via the waterfront - so glad we got to do this with a local rather than in a tour group.
We paid him in AUD as foreign exchange shops were closed for the public holiday.

Over to Iririki and a quick refeshing swim before heading back over the water to La La La for the night's special

Lobster Mornay

And a steak frites

And completed our evening with Creme Brulee

and Chocolate Mousse

Tried my best to support their economy and buy a sun frock, but unlike this European tourist in her new dress

figured the frock just wouldn't look any good on Mr Flyfrequently.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Friday :
It's time for this very relaxing week to come to an end.
After our outing around the island yesterday, we were glad we chose Iririki. The other resorts we went past and had considered were fairly isolated, Breakas, Warwick Le Lagon, Nasama, Erakor.
I like to be able to wander local shops and restaurants.

Breakfast done, a final swim, bags packed, and time to go.

Our options to get to the airport were with the hotel contracted Atmosphere Tours, $22 pp each way and can be paid on your hotel account or taxi.
After reading that @Ansett utilised a taxi, Guest Experience arranged one for us.
We could have left later but chose to leave Iririki at 1215 for what was to be a 1505 departure. This was about the same time as Atmosphere shuttle pick up, bit chaotic on the water ferry with all the pax and luggage!
It was a saving of $15, paid cash to the driver. He was quite chatty and informative, almost a mini tour for the 20 minute drive!

Breezed through Checkin and Passport control. The temperature at the airport was relatively comfortable but as the crowds gathered for the 3 departing flights, it warmed up considerably and was very noisy.
By this stage, we knew our flight was delayed 45 minutes **

We were glad we forked out 3000 vatu pp on credit card for the Harry Bauer Lounge VLI for the quiet and air-conditioning.


Our bird arriving


Of note, there was secondary screening at the gate, annoying many who had to ditch their paid water before boarding.


** Simon CSM explained the delay was partly due to no catering loaded on this BNE-VLI-BNE flights. He stood his ground and said "no way" and bingo within 20 minutes dnata had come to the party.
Interestingly, we arrived home to find this email below from Qantas Customer Care apologising for no catering -
Left hand doesn't know what the Right hand is doing.



"Hi ………..

We’d like to provide an update following your experience on flight QF0354 from Port Vila to Brisbane on 2 May 2025.

We sincerely apologise that there was no catering on your recent flight. To get you to your destination as soon as possible, our team made the decision to depart without catering to ensure the flight was not significantly delayed.

We know this is not the experience you expect from us. We apologise and acknowledge that we did not meet your expectations, or our own, on this occasion.

Thank you and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you onboard Qantas soon.

Kind regards,

Sarah Burkitt
Head of Customer Care

Qantas Airways Limited, ABN 16 009 661 901
10 Bourke Road Mascot NSW 2020 Australia

Note: This email was sent from a notification only address that cannot accept incoming email. Please do not reply to this message."



QF 354 departed 45 minutes late and upon arrival in Brisbane it took 1 hour 40 minutes to get across to domestic

I posted a timeline in MCT Brisbane thread yesterday.

Security there was chaotic!
Into the Lounge which was extremely quiet and enjoyed a bowl of Zucchini soup value adding some fresh spinach.


QF1509 was also delayed by 40 minutes.
Nice ride on the A220, fresh clean and comfortable aircraft with a great crew


In wifi contact with Missy's Mum who was tracking us (via Find My Phone ) as we flew over suburban Melbourne.


Landed just after 11pm


Collected luggage, picked up by Novotel shuttle to collect the car and finally after leaving Iririki nearly 15 hours earlier, we walked in the door at 1.45 am.

As we say goodbye at Iririki to this part of "Here's Cheers to 70 Years".


I now just wait for my DSC to land and I will have made Platinum for our next trip - Vietnam in July.

 

[Seat0B]

Thanks for taking the time to write your TR @Flyfrequently

 

[drron]

Thanks for that TR. We stayed a few times in the 70s and 80s and more recently an Expedition cruise visiting a few of the other islands. Might be way to use some QFF points though.

 

[VPS]

Happy Birthday and sounds like it was just what you wanted. Don't you love people who tell you what you should do

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for writing your trip report and sharing your photos and thoughts.
Really helpful as we will be there next month and great to get first hand experience.
May the birthday celebrations continue on your next adventure to Vietnam!

 

[RooFlyer]

Lovely TR and you obviously had a great time. That last pic is the best!

** Simon CSM explained the delay was partly due to no catering loaded on this BNE-VLI-BNE flights. He stood his ground and said "no way" and bingo within 20 minutes dnata had come to the party.

Do you mean at BNE, the CSM, discovering that there was no catering loaded, insisted and it was then produced?

 

[Flyfrequently]

Lovely TR and you obviously had a great time. That last pic is the best!

Arty eh?!!

Do you mean at BNE, the CSM, discovering that there was no catering loaded, insisted and it was then produced?

Yes @RooFlyer, he just said not going, get it organised.
Lovely bloke who was exhausted by the end of his shift!

 

[Flyfrequently]

And WP has just landed

 

[Seat0B]

Well done on achieving WP. I hope you have lots of travel planned for the next year end +12 months so you can really enjoy the benefits of ths status.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Well done on achieving WP. I hope you have lots of travel planned for the next year end +12 months so you can really enjoy the benefits of ths status.

Thanks @Seat0B only have Vietnam booked at present.
Now that I have had my cataract done, will get working on "where to" - would like to use some of my mountain of points before August enhancement!

 

[Flyfrequently]

My thoughts on our week in Port Vila.

We spent a very pleasant and relaxing time there which is what we were after.

You can do as much or as little as you want - the latter for us.
The locals are very welcoming and we were blessed with beautiful weather with most days 31°.

Only one brief afternoon shower with mostly sunny skies but quite humid - you know this when you get off the plane and your glasses fog up immediately!

 Arrival:
• Immigration can be slow and the area is not air-conditioned.
• Best to have your pick up arranged prior to arrival as touts are there, and like most airports, charge above the going rate.
The only time we used a taxi was from the hotel back to airport and would recommend this rather than hotel shuttle service.
Many use the local buses which are cheap.

We were happy with Iririki, although dated and in need of some repairs ie the paths have quite a few loose pavers, the air-conditioning was effective but very noisy, ceiling fans also super noisy, only one fan worked and on high speed.
Had to get staff to fix our safe and also attend to the lights on the stairs to our room, but once notified, fixed very promptly.

• Staff were outstanding
• Guest Experience staff very helpful in arranging bookings, transport etc
• On arrival : Luggage/suitcases are delivered to your accommodation but you cart your hand luggage uphill.
• No buggy service
• Slightly steep in parts and a few loose pavers

• Need to really consider if you have mobility issues
• Breakfast was standard fare albeit a bit repetitive after day 3
• No room service but can order and go down to restaurant to collect

• Pool furniture is in disrepair and not much of it - this big area had 2 picnic tables

6 lounges of which 3 were unusable


• AUD and Visa/Mastercard accepted, no Amex
• 2 foreign exchange shops across the water, competitive rates, not open Sundays or public holidays - as we found out!

• Limited options for dining at Iririki, only one restaurant after 5pm and no a la carte on Melanesian Buffet nights - 3 nights a week - though their pasta was delicious
• Worth going over to the main drag




where there is a choice of Chinese, Thai and French restaurants a few steps from the jetty or a bit of a walk will have other options. Expect to pay what you would in Australia.

• 3000 vatu ($40) pp for Harry Bauer Lounge VLI airport, worth it for air-conditioning but limited F&B. Some cookies and  A bottle of red in the fridge ( zoom in right side of photo) next to  A bottle of white, once empty, didn't get replaced.


Would I go again?
Maybe.
It was relaxing, but for us, a bit of a bother to go via Brisbane, prefer somewhere with a direct flight for 5 -7 days.
For Queenslanders, the short 3 hour hop would be more appealing.
Enjoy Vanuatu, it has much to offer and the locals are so welcoming, glad we took the time to see around the island