Welcome to Port Vila, the capital and largest city of Vanuatu, on the west coast of the island of Efate. Locals simply call it Vila, and the name comes from Efil and Ifira, the names of the area in the native South Efate and Mele-Fila languages. About 49,000 people lived here in 2020, around one in six of the nation's population, and the town is the country's economic and commercial centre. Melanesian people have lived around Port Vila for thousands of years. Let's start with the culture of the islands, then head out to the bay.
Vanuatu Cultural Centre
Photo: PhillipC · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsOur first stop is the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, known in Bislama as Vanuatu Kaljoral Senta. Founded in 1955, it is the national body for recording, protecting and promoting the many cultures of the archipelago. Under one roof it brings together the National Museum, the National Archives, the National Library, a film and sound unit and a network of fieldworkers. Its work covers every side of traditional life, from sand drawing to music and land diving.
Iririki
Photo: Nicky · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsJust a 2 minute boat ride from the centre of Port Vila lies Iririki, a small island ringed by coral reef. Its history is surprising. In 1910 the first British hospital in the New Hebrides opened here, in memory of the missionary John G. Paton. From 1913 the island housed the British Residency, at the very top of the island, reached by 179 steps and looking out over the town and bay. When Vanuatu became independent in 1980, the residence was abandoned, and the island later became a privately owned resort.
Erakor
Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsFive kilometres south of Port Vila, in the entrance to Erakor Lagoon, lies the small, flat island of Erakor, about 600 metres long. It was originally home to local Ni-Vanuatu people, and in the 19th century a Presbyterian mission station was set up here. Look closely and you can still see the foundations of the early church. In 1959 the islanders moved across the lagoon to Erakor Village on Efate, and a resort opened on the island in 1980.
Mele Bay
Photo: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsWe finish on the water of Mele Bay, on the southwestern coast of Efate. Arriving by sea, this is the main bay you cross before entering the smaller Vila Bay, passing Ifira Island on the way. Unusually, the bay has no reef. To the south it tapers off towards Pango Point, while to the east lies the Erakau lagoon.
Lomakuume
