Is it a generational (X) thing? Were our colonialist forebears more engaged with those imperial territories before the waves of independence in the 1970s? Will the young 'uns be more so than us, owing to the recent Australian interventions in the so-called "arc of responsibility"? Is it because people my age encountered an independent Pacific and lost interest? Or is it simply a case of "hang on, I'm still getting used to the whole Asia deal - slow down!". Or is it something more prosaic, like low rates of travel, and therefore higher airfares? The latter is certainly a dated view these days, what with the decline of QANTAS monopolies in the region.
Anyway, I was there for work, but had one day touring the island of Efate; home to the capital, Port Vila. The bottom picture attests my nerdy interest in colonial history. As you may know, Vanuatu was formerly the New Hebrides and - unusually - under the control of the joint Anglo/ French Condominium (otherwise known as the 'Pandemonium').
But that's easy. Quiz time is harder than that! Whoever correctly identifies the smaller flag below the Tricoleur (not you, World of Yentl) is this month's Capitão do Fortaleza at BmL! (Click for higher-res, if you want a closer squiz.)
23 comments:
That's the cross of Lorraine, Izquierdista. So I'll guess that that little banner dates from somewhere between 1940 and 1945, and refers to the Free French Forces.
You may send my commission promoting me via my ADC, Sergeant Chuckles who may be found drinking heavily in the Sergeants' Mess. Avoid the warm port.
Damn he's quick off the mark. I would more specifically guess that it's the flag of Admiral Muselier that was later adopted by the Free French. (thank you google)
That aside, is Vanuatu a good place to take kids do you think?
Badabing, badabang, Liamistão! that's the correct answer, and voce e nosso Capitão de Marzo!
yes, the New Hebrides declared for the Free French - and so did New Caledonia (though in their case Im told it was after a wee bit of persuasion from an Australian navy ship in Noumea harbour)
The benefits of being Fort Captain are numerous Liam, but they chiefly include first dig at the Vinho Tint.
Nice work mopping up the rear there Mindy. My lil one didnt come along, but the answer is mos def yes - very kid friendly place. Im told ome of the big resorts (like Laguna)even have full time kids clubs, so you and yo' sig oth can totes can go have a time!
Ah, yes, you can take my madeira out of my cold, clammy, hungover hands.
Sergeants' Mess by name, Sergeants' mess by nature.
Vinho verde man meself. Now THAT's some good shit.
I've lived there.
Vanuatu, the land that gave us real bungee jumping:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdmbkeJe6zo&feature=related
Phenomenal (SCUBA) diving there also, including one of the most accessible large wrecks in the world:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ABnpqD0ar4
Cool, Monsieur Alizaybak. Yes, I heard about the real bungee - apparently there's only 3 months a year you can do it, when the sap is the right viscosity or summat.
I dig the WW2 wrecks -snorkelled a good one in Solomon Islands on Guadalcanal - an old Japanese landing craft that has become a semi-coral reef.
Did you live in Vila?
Yep.
A few fine evenings at L'Houstalet? I asked the French owner about his cameo role in independence (as host for the post-Constitution drafting pissup) and he didn't shut up for 40 minutes
To be honest, I can't remember going there. Was it worth the rep?
good food - best atmosphere I found (excepting maybe Cafe du Village). Flying fox on the menu too!*
*You bet I didnt.
Myeah...Flying Fox. I'm usually pretty good with M.O.U.S.* but FF has never jumped out at me, so to speak. It didn't help that I once saw a FF being skinned for the pot and had its disproportionately large and very human-shaped (albeit in micro-scale) penis presented to me by an excitable Ni-Vanuatu. Flying foxes apparently share with primates (but not bats) disproportionately large wedding tackle. TMI? Too bad.
*Meat of Unusual Source
WV = "verdsque".
Me too, dont mind my M.O.U.S - but they can keep their winged mammals.
Oversized genitalia huh? I feel that only further vindicates my choice of the blue cheese steak.
I'll guess that that little banner dates from somewhere between 1940 and 1945, and refers to the Free French Forces.
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s Vanuatu a good place to take friends do you think?
thats wonderful place to hang
Blimey, spammed. Thrice!
And of all the threads to spam in, it's the one where disproportionately large penises were first mentioned by a real person.
Well, if Fyodor counts as a real person.
Yep, thats all it took - and the spammers came like fruit bats to a mango, and hung upside down squawking.
Very good place u introduce, I also have a place wanna introduce to you:
http://traveling2u.blogspot.com/2010/04/pulau-tenggol.html
http://traveling2u.blogspot.com/
In my experience, Bite, we saw ouselves as part of Oceania until P Keating introduced the concept of out being Asian, around the late 80's? 1990?
At the time it appeared rather ridiculous...Roy and H. G. would have little items where they would say such as: "Well, here we are in Quorn, H.G. One of the finest Asian cities, wouldn't you say?"
That's probably right Frances - an inadvertant casualty of Keating's turn to Asia. Though i 'spect the old pacific engagement was of yer quasi-colonal white man's burden type bent, and we might have to reframe some.
Me, I always liked Roy and Hg talking about the 'great Asian game' of Rugby League. Hilarious.
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