Vanuatu

Just some of the shots we took on our trip to Vanuatu is July/August of 2008. All the photos bar the last one were taken on Tanna Island which is home to the most accessible volcano in the world. Also very active with up to 500 eruptions a day. We were lucky in that we rarely had to wait more than a few minutes before another going off. If there was ever a delay more than that, you had to be ready for a big one and watch where the lava bombs were flying as some did make it right out past the rim on which we were standing. Also many went more than a200 meters straight up into the air and came down with quite a thud.

The activity of the volcano is given in 5 levels. Level one is the lowest and you would be taken down to a lower level to view the vents as activity is at its lowest. Level 2 you stand on the outer rim and have two high points to choose from and the one up wind of the ash cloud it used depending on the wind direction. The chunks of molten lava, or lava bombs as they are known, are clearing the first rim but not the second. Level 3 they are clearing the second rim and you can only stand in one spot right above the walking track up from the carpark. Not good if the wind is blowing the ash that way as some found out the next day. Level 4 the lava is going right over all the sides and no viewing is possible. Level 5 and the whole southern end of the island is evacuated.

We were most fortunate, though some thought it not so due to fear, that it was rated a level 2 giving up a great spot looking straight into the side of the 2 active vents of the 4 it has. The wind was blowing the ash away from us and the visibility was excellent. It was upgraded to a level 3 while we were there by the volcanologists but they did not move us which meant we were way closer to the action than normal. Some or the lava bombs were easily clearing the rim which we were standing on so you had to be alert at all times. The instruction was that if a lava bomb was going to the left or right of your vision, all was well and not to move. If it was only getting bigger, you must move to the left or right straight away! Don't just run down the hill as it might be following you.

All photos can be click on to enlarge them to a bigger size.

This is what we were even seeing on our airport transfer to Sunrise Bungalows.

Once we climbed to the rim things only got better.

As dusk came it was nothing short of spectacular

These were taken without a tripod and no flash

The camera is a Canon G6 7.1 meg.

Our bungalow at Sunrise and the national volleyball finals on independence day.

Even the soccer players in the finals don't wear shoes. The Mele Cascade Waterfalls on Efate Island.

Click on videos twice to play them.

The videos were taken with my digital still camera that took the shots above too.

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