Port Vila, Capital city in Efate Island, Vanuatu
Port Vila is the capital city of Vanuatu and sits along the shore of a wide bay with several lagoons and offshore islands in view. Low buildings and markets spread over gentle hills above the water, while small boats move between docking areas throughout the day.
European traders arrived in the 19th century and established a settlement that remained under joint British and French administration until 1980. After independence, the town became the capital of the new nation of Vanuatu.
Locals gather at the central market to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from women who bring produce by boat from nearby islands. Many residents speak Bislama in daily life, a creole language you hear in shops and on the streets throughout town.
The center is easy to walk around, as most shops and markets sit close together along a few main roads. Early morning is the best time to visit the market, when vendors set up their goods and before the heat builds up.
Three official languages are used in daily life, with English and French appearing alongside Bislama on many street signs. Some schools teach only in English, others only in French, a legacy that visitors notice immediately when reading signs or talking to locals.
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