Another Reality in Vanuatu

If you get most of your information from mass media such as television and newspapers, you can’t help but think that the world 1) is inhabited by celebrity sluts and reality TV losers who all look the same in different ways; 2) is covered with overpopulated cities; and 3) that we should all obssess on the state of the economy.

But as is demonstrated by the accompanying photos taken by Nancy Tomkins, who is cruising with her husband Warwick aboard their Mill Valley-based Wylie 38+ Flashgirl, that’s not true and you don’t have to accept the mainstream life. If you’ve got a bit of gumption, an inexpensive boat, and a few bucks, you can explore the huge and interesting — and real — world out there.

"We’ve been to some truly lovely places in our years of cruising," writes Commodore, "but this spot, immediately south of Lugaville, is certainly one of the most beautiful. Interestingly, it was the prototype and inspiration for the U.S. base where James Michener was stationed and made famous in Tales of the South Pacific. The inspiration for Bali Hai must have been the island of Ambae, which is nearby. During World War II, Luganville was home to over a half million U.S. military types and more than 100 ships. As we tour the ruined Quonset huts and SeaBee concrete works, which still abound, Nancy and I find ourselves singing songs such as ‘There Is Nothing Like a Dame’, ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and other Rodgers and Hammerstein songs from South Pacific."