Pele and Leleppa Islands, Vanuatu
Today we spent exploring some of the smaller islands off the north and western side of Efate Island in Vanuatu. Sunrise saw us rounding the north tip of Efate with brown and red-footed boobies escorting us. We entered a sheltered bay after passing through a channel luckily gclearedh of mines left over from World War II. Our destination for the morning was Pele„Ÿthe island, not the soccer great.
Pele Island has a lovely sand beach and, of course, friendly locals. Many of us strolled along the beach, chatted with the locals, and snorkeled from the shore. The more adventurous explored the reef offshore from the snorkel platform and were treated to an amazing aquarium-like experience. Healthy and diverse corals rose up in bommies, some only three feet from the surface, which were a perfect habitat for a multitude of fish. Huge anemones hosted innumerable anemone fish, their brilliant orange colors flashing as they darted into their anemone homes for protection.
Dr. Stewart Bedford joined us for the afternoon to share with us his research on the archaeology of Vanuatu, supported by funding from the National Geographic Society. The goal for the afternoon was exploring the realm of Roi Mata, who, legend has it, united all the people of the Efate area around 400 years ago. First we went ashore on Efate to the historic village site of Roi Mata. Local guides showed us sacred stones, and a dancing ground near a sacred banyan tree. Two impressive slit-gongs, whose designs were copied from recently-discovered nineteenth century photographs, were recently erected on what archaeologists believe to be the original dancing ground from Roi Matafs time.
We then repositioned to nearby Leleppa Island, home to a huge cave, said to be where Roi Mata took his last breath. We were greeted on the beach by the smiling faces of local villagers who had come to sell handicrafts. A short but steep walk brought us to the impressive cave, nearly 50 meters tall inside. Some interesting paintings dated at more than 600 years old lined parts of the wall: a whale, chickens, turtles, and a few human type drawings, maybe Roi Mata himself. At the narrow, stony beach, we clambered into the Zodiacs and headed into the teeth of a minor gale, cheered by the sight of the many smiling women and children who were waving goodbye.
Today we spent exploring some of the smaller islands off the north and western side of Efate Island in Vanuatu. Sunrise saw us rounding the north tip of Efate with brown and red-footed boobies escorting us. We entered a sheltered bay after passing through a channel luckily gclearedh of mines left over from World War II. Our destination for the morning was Pele„Ÿthe island, not the soccer great.
Pele Island has a lovely sand beach and, of course, friendly locals. Many of us strolled along the beach, chatted with the locals, and snorkeled from the shore. The more adventurous explored the reef offshore from the snorkel platform and were treated to an amazing aquarium-like experience. Healthy and diverse corals rose up in bommies, some only three feet from the surface, which were a perfect habitat for a multitude of fish. Huge anemones hosted innumerable anemone fish, their brilliant orange colors flashing as they darted into their anemone homes for protection.
Dr. Stewart Bedford joined us for the afternoon to share with us his research on the archaeology of Vanuatu, supported by funding from the National Geographic Society. The goal for the afternoon was exploring the realm of Roi Mata, who, legend has it, united all the people of the Efate area around 400 years ago. First we went ashore on Efate to the historic village site of Roi Mata. Local guides showed us sacred stones, and a dancing ground near a sacred banyan tree. Two impressive slit-gongs, whose designs were copied from recently-discovered nineteenth century photographs, were recently erected on what archaeologists believe to be the original dancing ground from Roi Matafs time.
We then repositioned to nearby Leleppa Island, home to a huge cave, said to be where Roi Mata took his last breath. We were greeted on the beach by the smiling faces of local villagers who had come to sell handicrafts. A short but steep walk brought us to the impressive cave, nearly 50 meters tall inside. Some interesting paintings dated at more than 600 years old lined parts of the wall: a whale, chickens, turtles, and a few human type drawings, maybe Roi Mata himself. At the narrow, stony beach, we clambered into the Zodiacs and headed into the teeth of a minor gale, cheered by the sight of the many smiling women and children who were waving goodbye.
