We took a full day tour to Pele Island which is a 45 min drive to the top of Efate Island, then a 15 min dingy ride to the island. The sun was shining and were we're greeted by the local "Chief of the day". We learnt that in this village the Chief had died a number of years ago and that he had 5 sons - so while the tribe decided which sone was to become chief, they each took turns being the chief. After the 'welkam' were go ready for the snorkeling tour of the reef around Pele. We were warned about Reef Sharks, which didn't put us at ease, but apparently they are so small and scared of humans that they do not really pose a threat. Despite this I (Damo) decided to swim with some Aussie girls we had meet on the boat to Pele - they looked to be weaker swimmers than me, if that's possible, and would make sufficient shark bait that would give me plenty of time if a get away was needed.
We jumped in the water and were blown away by the waters beneath us. The water was so crystal clear, and turquoise with so many fish swimming about, and unlike Hideaway Island the coral here was all alive, and the water deep. Our guides took us around a circuit of the reef feeding fish with bread as we went and showing us various creatures from the reef. The fish were amazing, every kind of shape and colour you could imagine. There were clown fish, striped black and yellow angel fish, and an amazing bright blue variety that had brilliant pink lateral fins and yellow tails. Mick had started to get sick (sore throat and fever), so he was snorkeling with a soother in his mouth!
Morris, our native Pelean guide brought up sea slugs, starfish and sea cucumbers from the reef for us to hold. Mick got quite a fright when he saw Morris in his peripheral vision, and looked up from the reef to see a big black slimy thing being pushed into his face - however it was only a sea cucumber that squirts water out of one end as a defense mechanism.
After the snorkeling we went back to the village and had a BBQ lunch before a siesta time when we could do whatever we liked for an hour. I went and took photos along the beach, while Mick swam and slept on the beach. Once siesta was over we went through the village for a tour of native life. We saw the chief's widow who was still working away making roofing out of coconut leaves even at age 76! The whole village was preparing for a wedding so there was building, weaving and cooking all being readied for the ceremony in a few days time. Morris even had the kids of the village sing a few songs for us.
Our village tour over it was time to jump back on board the boat to head back to Efate, and then the tour bus back to the hotel. When we got back we had been invited to complimentary drinks in the lobby by the hotel management, much to the dismay of our new Aussie shark bait friends (who did not get an invite). Although extremely tired and unwell, Mick chose free drinks over a recovery nap (no real surprises there). We had a few drinks, and Mick had a few more, and we chatted away with the friendly staff before going down to the hotel beach to watch a fire show. We had previously seen the show the night before as part of the Vanuatu Golf Open, but it was great to see an encore performance.
We then had a late dinner before heading to bed exhausted (and a little drunk) from our Pele day. Mick had a shocking night's sleep. Being drunk, with a fever and sore throat was not very pleasant. He got minimal sleep and thought he might be too sick to see the volcano the next day. He was cursing that free wine while trying to get back to sleep. Amazingly, a neurofen at 4am seemed to do the trick, Mick got 2 hrs sleep and while tired the next morning was well enough for Tanna Island.
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