Take a leisurely stroll (something I don’t do often enough) along the marina near the Waterfront Bar and Grill in Port Vila, Vanuatu, in the South Pacific and it’s like you are in any marina in the world. Large gleaming yachts lie cheek-by-cheek along the small moorings.
Step back a short way from the waterfront and it’s easy to find local people living in homes made from bamboo and palm fronds, or whatever scraps of building material they can manage to get their hands on. The floor is crushed coral, or dirt and there is little or no electricity, or running water, or flush toilets. The majority of the food comes from the local village garden and is cooked over an open wood fire.
Every season, Vanuatu, set in pristine blue green-blue water with a visibility of around 30 meters, is visited by the Big, Bold and Beautiful, bearing exotic names. Glamorous luxury yachts arrive, which have sailed from ports all over the world.
As you stroll along the marina, you could easily lean over and touch millions of dollars worth, sitting gently in the turquoise water. Because Vanuatu is a third world country, the majority of the rural population live on under $1 per day. Education is not free and many of the children will never see the inside of high school classroom, let alone the inside of a luxury yacht.Imagine not being able to tell the time, because you have never seen a clock.
Yet Vanuatu, a tax haven, was voted the Happiest Country on Earth in 2006, along with countries like Costa Rica, Columbia, Dominica and Panama.
When I spoke to one of the yachties, I asked him ‘Why Vanuatu’?
“Why not?” was the quick reply. Vanuatu offers great anchorages, friendly people, great food, friendly people and great weather and friendly people – if you get my drift. The tropical islands of Vanuatu have been the highlight of our cruising in the South Pacific. If you’re looking for great adventure travel, you need look no further. It’s all here.” (I didn’t even pay him for that answer, with one of my homemade dinners.)
Exotic names adorn these big and beautiful boats, such as Dandelion, Linger Longer, Papillon and Sheer Delight . The yacht, Ultimate , towers high above the wharf, like a three storied building, grand and luxurious in every aspect.
The owner of ‘Sambaluka ’, Rob Cole, from New Zealand told me that Vanuatu acts like a hub for all the other exotic destinations you can sail to, in just a couple of days, out of Port Vila. That is quite apart from the 83 tropical islands you can explore, which belong to Vanuatu.
While I thoroughly enjoy gazing at the sleek lines and beauty of these yachts, I have no desire to own one. I think like Robert Kiyoski and his book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’, these graceful ladies (why are boats always a she?) burn deep holes in financial pockets. I will however, continue to dream of the day my husband and I down-tools and charter a yacht for a week’s cruise around Vanuatu, or some other magical travel destination.
If you want to know more about how you could live in a tax free haven like Vanuatu, or how you can help these fabuolous kids get an education, click here .
Postcript: I was sent an answer, from a male, to the question why are boats always called a ’she’. Answer: “You are only happy twice when you own a boat.The day you buy it and the day you sell it.”
Is that what guys really think about women also? Any other thoughts on this?
If you would like to know more about the author go to http://winaresort.com
Tags: adventure travel, charger yachts, charter, chartere a yatch in the South Pacific, cruise around Vanuatu, cruising in the South Pacific, dream, education, exotic destinations, luxury yachts, South Pacific, tropical islands, Vanuatu