Since leaving Los Angeles we have traveled 7200 miles at 18-20 mph to Sydney, Australia. We stopped in the French republic of Vanuatu in the New Hebrides, discovered by Captain Cook in 1774. Population is 208,000. Languages spoken are French, English, Bislama and pigin English. Currency is the vatu (2 V=.01 US cent). 84 bits of and make up the archipelago. The main cities are Luganville and Port Vila. In 1947 James Michener wrote Tales of the South Pacific when he was stationed in Vanuatu during WW11. 40,000 U.S. servicemen were stationed here and relics of WW11 can still be seen, however most of these relics were dumped in the Pacific Ocean at an area called the “Million Dollar Pier.”
Vanuatu is a site for off-shore banking and is the only “emerging nation” to receive $65 million from the USA from the Millenium Fund.
After Vanuatu, we stopped in Noumea on the French island of New Caledonia which was also discovered by Captain Cook in 1774 and was claimed by the French in 1853. Languages spoken are French and Melanasian dialects. Currency is the Pacific franc (US $1= 90 PF).Noumea was one of the Allies’ most important bases during WW11 and also served as a French colonial penal colony from 1864-1904. It is now known as the “Paris of the Pacific” with many French restaurants and boutiques surrounded by beautiful beaches and islands.
Vanuatu is a site for off-shore banking and is the only “emerging nation” to receive $65 million from the USA from the Millenium Fund.
After Vanuatu, we stopped in Noumea on the French island of New Caledonia which was also discovered by Captain Cook in 1774 and was claimed by the French in 1853. Languages spoken are French and Melanasian dialects. Currency is the Pacific franc (US $1= 90 PF).Noumea was one of the Allies’ most important bases during WW11 and also served as a French colonial penal colony from 1864-1904. It is now known as the “Paris of the Pacific” with many French restaurants and boutiques surrounded by beautiful beaches and islands.
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