Mystery Island

 Great night sleep (the eyes have recovered from the chlorine assault from yesterday morning), early morning activities with William and Elliott, a round robin competition of table tennis and I was the only one who couldn't win a game, generous of me I know.  I made up for it at the pool table. Dropped anchor at Mystery Island, part of the Vanuatu island group, it is a short distance from Aneityum Island.  Noone lives on Mystery Island (local taboo forbids residing on the island) and people from Aneityum Island come across to help with tours. Incidently Aneityum Island had a population of about 20,000 before western influence brought disease and blackbirding which decimated the population which currently stands at about 900.   Languages are principly French and English.

Delicious breakfast of omlette then back to the room to prepare for our guided snorkel trip.  We got the tender to the island, we were a bit early so had a swim in the ocean before our tour commenced.

Our tour was described as a 'Drift Snorkel Tour'. It involved us (the seven of us and a ring-in, so 8 in total) being met by a local guide who did a safety briefing (ie - Can you all swim?....good good), walked across the island and met by three other locals, one to lead the snorkellers, one to trail the snorkellers and one to follow in the boat.  Couldn't find a more relaxed group of guides, not a care in the world.  In to the boat out to the reef, we jump off the boat with our snorkel gear and 'drift' back to shore, should be there in an hour.  Jump in and head off, seems we are actually drifting towards Hawaii.  

Pam was close to the front guide, in the water 5 minutes and he turned to Pam and said, "How many is there supposed to be?"  It was hard to tell because we were scattered everywhere and he'd forgotten to count before we started.  Sanity prevailed and we got gathered together, counted 3 times and finally found eight of us.  Swim towards the beach.

What a magnificent experience, we saw every type of fish and coral in existence, the guide knows his stuff and showed us a family of giant clams and blue star fish.  He knew exactly where to take us for the best viewing of all the types of coral caves and aquatic highlights, money well spent.  Finally made it to the shore, I felt like Robinson Crusoe being washed ashore, threw myself on the sand exhausted.

Decided we'd seen enough and walked back through the open huts where they were cooking fresh lobster on open fires and wrapping them in banana leaves and selling them to the tourists.  Local lads playing a few random instruments and singing some traditional songs.  Walking across the coral beach to the jetty, on the tender, showers and a late lunch.  Went down to the lounge after lunch for trivia where a couple of the party were well on the way to having an afternoon nap.  Only kept awake by the riverting repartee of the compere and the crowd.

Mystery Island, jetty on the left

Aneityum Island

Might have got some coral in his eye

Holcombe trivia team, doing their best

At least William and Elliott have found a fun way to spend the afternoon

You can maybe see the tenders at the bottom centre of the ship, these tenders hold 120 people for transport to the islands, it gives you some perspective of how huge this ship is.