Thursday, November 12, 2009

Holiday in Vanuatu


At the last minute I decided to paint this good luck charm for the bride.
Arriving at Port Vila, Vanuatu airport. Warm, Balmy, friendly place.


The chief was waiting out the front to greet us at Le Meridian Resort, blowing his large shell.



While we were waiting for the celebrant to arrive the Groom was looking a bit nervous and agitated. I suggested I go back to the Resort and fetch him a drink. Just as we arrive at the bar, we got a call to say the Celebrant has finally arrived one and half hours late, so off we high tail it back to the wedding on the beach in this golf buggy.


When we got back to the beach there were two policemen with the city mayor.

Apparently they couldn't find the celebrant and the Mayor of Port Vila was found by the police walking down the main street, so they picked him up and he came and preformed the ceremony. I hope its all legitimate!


The chief of the village is calling to the bride letting her know the groom, celebrant and guests are awaiting her.

The happy couple-Naomi and Mark saying their wedding vowels on the beach. Such a beautiful, peaceful setting to get married.


This photo was taken of all the wedding party and guests. All of us flew to Vanuatu for this special occasion. Lucky we had plenty of warning to plan our holiday.


If you don't know where the restaurant is for breakfast-just follow the music. These musicians are here every morning in the open air restaurant playing their sweet music while you eat breakfast.

This guy is here to make whatever you'd like in your omelette's every morning. He was a bit concerned that I wanted to take his photo.


I took over 300 photos but I won't bore you with all of them. I would be sitting here for hours trying to publish them on my post.


We saw some wonderful and sad sites and heard some funny and weird traditions.

One of the traditions that really bothered me was-the young guys had to buy their wives, it cost at least 80,000 Vat converted to Australian dollars that's over 11,000 Oh, he does get to dance and celebrate after buying her, then the new wife has her two front teeth knocked out or taken out to say she is married-hands off!

13 comments:

Val's Dragonfly Whimsy said...

Great photos, such a beautiful tropical setting - the marriage ceremony with the "teeth" business is a bit scary (I think I would stay unmarried) - cheers val

Country Wishes said...

Gorgeous and tropical, what a beautiful setting for a wedding..

What an odd tradition, does that mean you have to get false teeth if you get divorced?? lol

Hope you had a wonderful trip..
Catch up soon for craft and coffee!!
xoxo

ittybittyandpretty said...

still laughing at that last comment, false teeth... he he he
lovely photos, so glad you had a great time.
%*_*% rosey

I Purr-Furr to Craft said...

how perfectly fabulous, i am so glad it all worked out i the end. What a super setting.
very beautiful, Love the good luck tag for the bride.

PVK Devotionals said...

Wow..you sound like you had a great time Anna...fancy having to wait 1 1/2 hours for the celebrant...I think you were very thoughful to take the groom for a drink to settle him. (he would have been a nervous wreck!!) It looks like a perfect setting for a wedding though.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful place for a wedding . The little flower girls look so sweet .

Serena Lewis said...

Wonderful photos, Anna. The wedding party reminds me of a rainbow with all those pretty colours. Well wishes to the bride and groom!

PS - Not too keen on the tradition that involves the bride losing her two front teeth....OUCH!

audrey said...

Yipes!! What an awful tradition. The least they could do is let you choose which two teeth! I'd stay single ~ there would be NO messing with MY teeth!
What a beautiful place for a wedding ~ so glad you enjoyed your time there. Aren't cameras great - being able to capture memories that we can look back on. A blessing!
((hugs))
audrey

The Pink Poodle said...

dear Anna..
the photos are beautiful..
must have been a magical place for a wedding..

lovely customs..nice weather..very peaceful by the looks of things..

must have been a great break in a foreign place..not TOO far from aus...

NOW back to work for you!!!
enough frivolity..lol...

xxx andrea ps..thanks for the comments re my silly foot!!

Unknown said...

hello dear anna

may i congratulate you with the beautiful pictures
what a beautiful location to marry
lovely customs and the flower girls look so sweet
Thanks for sharing ♥

enjoy your weekend
veel liefs xzenna ♥

Siobhan said...

What a beautiful wedding!

Im not sure about loosing my teeth...hmmm...thats a bit mean isnt it?

Siobhan

Gail McCormack said...

Hi Anna

Sounds like you all had a wonderful time.

I don't like the sound of the tradition - how horrible!

I've had trouble visiting your blog, my screen just goes blank when I come over, thankfully it seems to have come good, nice to catch up on your posts

xo

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

The wedding photos are lovely Anna and thankfully all went off okay in the end. I bet they were just a little nervous when the celebrant was a no show.

Glad to have you back home.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne