An island which is like the romantic idea of south sea islands is Mystery Island. This is a small coral cay just off the coast of the large island of Aneityum in Vanuata. Its official name is Inyeug, which means "tiny island" in the native language. Nobody lives on the island, although you can overnight. There is an airstrip, built by the US military during WW2, serving as the airport for Aneityum which has no flat area big enough for an airstrip. When cruise boats call the local natives arrive and set up markets and guided tours. Cays are islands built by sand and seeds blowing onto reef tops and gradually building up low islands like Mystery. The beaches and the interior here are clean white sand, the water is clear and warm, the fish and coral are great and, provided visitors keep to the safe areas away from the reef channels, it is a good place to visit. Ships have to anchor well offshore in deep water, so you travel to the island in the ship's launches, which can be fun when there is a bit of wave action. I enjoyed my day there, particularly as there were no crabs waiting to nip small bears; the crowds had them hiding in their burrows.
Labels: cruising, South Pacific
# posted by Bart Bear @ 11:59 am
