Vanuatu is a country consisting of 83 islands in which most of them are inhabited. Port Vila is the main capital town and it is in Efate island which is located at the centre of the archipelago. It is a small town with very few people and it's only crowded during festivals and other national events. The main language spoken is called Bislama, a dialect that is relatively close to the Pidgin language spoken by people from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. However, English is also widely spoken in Port Vila town and often visitors don't have trouble communicating with the locals there.
Most people in Port Vila are sometimes very shy to talk to strangers especially foreign visitors. They are more likely to talk with their kinsman even though they don't know each other. I think they are more comfortable in conversing in Bislama for this reason, but that does not mean they are completely ignorant towards visitors. They will openly talk if being spoken to because they are friendly people and many visitors and cruise ship tourists find it very helpful to sought directions from the locals. Although some locals find it difficult to talk in English but at least there are some sort of communication and understanding going on. On the other hand, only a handful of people would wave a gesture of greeting to a visitor and even approach them to engage in a conversation. These are usually locals who have hospitality backgrounds.
Most people in Port Vila are sometimes very shy to talk to strangers especially foreign visitors. They are more likely to talk with their kinsman even though they don't know each other. I think they are more comfortable in conversing in Bislama for this reason, but that does not mean they are completely ignorant towards visitors. They will openly talk if being spoken to because they are friendly people and many visitors and cruise ship tourists find it very helpful to sought directions from the locals. Although some locals find it difficult to talk in English but at least there are some sort of communication and understanding going on. On the other hand, only a handful of people would wave a gesture of greeting to a visitor and even approach them to engage in a conversation. These are usually locals who have hospitality backgrounds.
I think a program like "Talk to me London" will not be a problem in Port Vila. The people are friendly, wonderful, helpful, like to make jokes, easy going and sometimes can be quite charming. I know a lot of my friends that have made foreign friends by just from a simple hello followed by a heart warming and decent conversation.
Here is a fact, Vanuatu has been voted more than once as the "Most Happiest place on Earth." You can find out for yourself.
Here is a fact, Vanuatu has been voted more than once as the "Most Happiest place on Earth." You can find out for yourself.
Thank you for letting me know your wonderful hometown, and the archipelago, the different dialects and the nice people living there, and the name Port Vila.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice that Port Vila people are friendly!
ReplyDeleteI want to visit there someday.