Vanuatu Swims. July 2012

Vanuatu Swims. We started at Port Vila and then flew to Santo via Ambryn Island (volcano).

We hoped that Vanuatu would provide opportunity for snorkelling and diving but the swimming was glorious.

1. Iririki Island Resort. On our first morning after the flight Will and were up early and swam across to Port Vila and back from our hotel on Iririki. It was only about 25 mins return but we had to smile at the warm, clear water which gave us a great appetite for the pancake breakfast while looking across the bay.

2. Oyster Island. After a volcano trek and no swimming (just one jump) Miriam met us off the plane in Santo and took us to Oyster Island for lunch. We had to ring a bell for the short ferry crossing and while we were waiting someone from the island swam across to meet us. This meant one thing; we put our bags on the ferry and swam across. Delightful. We had lunch and then set off with kayaks to find the Blue Hole. This was an 18m deep fresh water spring with unbelievable jumps and swings. I had a dive and left Miriam and William to ponder the 16m jump while I was joined by a Cambridge med student to try the 2.5 mile swim (with some help from the current) back to Oyster Island. Apart from a pause for a large coral snake we did it in 1hr 5mins. Meanwhile M and W made the jump!- all on video.