Port Vila Port Vila, Shefa, Vanuatu
By da_Mo on 12-Apr-14. Waypoint GC52D6D

While here we went past GZ and a whole lot of construction is going on here, looks like new shops might be going along here and a roadway, we had a few different types of caches on us and we could have dropped one for a smiley but don't see it lasting very long due to the muggles around here and nothing really suitable to hide one in so looks like this spot is doomed for a replacement, will need to move it a fair distance from this spot and submit a whole new listing.

Please have the local maintainer contact me if this geocache is replaced. Thanks.

The photos say it all. It has been months and now it is time.

GZ is still in the construction area. The only signnearby had no cache attached to it.

I visited the area today and 4 cachers looked for this twice today. The area is still very much under construction.
GZ is still very much behind a fence.

We are still willing to drop a cache here for the CO when we come here in June, it will be a shame to see this go.

It's all oK. Happy hunting. da_Mo

The Cache is in maintenance, I will enable this listing in the end of march.

If it is any help we will be back there in June and we are more than happy to look at a suitable spot for a replacement cache within this area, we can take several different caches and place one that is most suitable to the spot.

Hello:

The cache has been temporarily disabled for at least month. If you have plans to replace this cache in the near future please let the geocaching community know by placing a note on the cache page and perform the necessary cache maintenance. If you have decided not to replace the cache please archive the listing.

If there is no response within thirty days, I may archive the cache to free up the space for another cacher.

Thank you.

Greatland Reviewer
Groundspeak Volunteer
My Profile: http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=6354843d-6bec-4737-8db5-77907f57de8a

Jsando and I were in Port Vila, we knew this cache was disabled but were walking straight past so decided to have a look. The area is still fenced off, but there was a large gate open about 15m from the published coords. Sadly, those coords lead to a large pile of rubble including concrete seats, signs etc. It appears at this point that the cache is not only not currently available, but no longer there.

Access to this area is forbidden as they are doing work on the park.

Couldn't access ground 0 due to muggle's and the site was completely fenced off!!!

Closed for civil Works

There is absolutely no access to this cache. Construction fence has been placed around entire park.

Parc en travaux, pas d'accès possible au 20.11.2015

Found this one on our first day in Vanuatu but just too many muggles to make a grab without being spotted.
Went back 3 times and the same so this morning went at dawn but the bank security were waiting to get in and watched the lone Aussie closely, but I managed to make a grab and head for the car and then a walk along the water before putting it back inconspicuously.
No chance of that as the guard was standing right on GZ, so took the cache with me.
Back in Villa s few hours later there were again muggles everywhere so took off my hat and sat it down while I wiped the sweat out of my eyes then whoops knocked the hat down.
Hat picked up and cache replaced in one swift movement and no-one was any the wiser.
Sorry if anyone was looking in the short time I had it, but there were no ships in port and no-one had found it for over a week so I think I'm safe.

TFTC da Mo
Easy to find, tough to get and put back.

Ironbark.

Only a couple of muggles around. None interested in the tourists acting suspiciously. Was very pleased to find a pencil in the cache since I didn't bring a pen with me. TFTC.

Arrived here from NZ this afternoon and as luck would have it the only cache on the island was about 10 minutes' walk from our accommodation. A quick find on a stroll to explore the town centre and to visit an ATM to get some of the local currency. Signed log, TFTC!

My first cache found in a country other than Australia
My furthest east cache found since 10 August 2008 (although I'm still on my way to Mystery Island)

We arrived on the cruise ship Carnival Legend a day early after our Captain decided to head to the West of New Caledonia to avoid cyclonic weather that was to the south east. Disembarking was an eye-opener for the kids with so many locals wanting to be our taxi-driver and take us for a drive. In the end we chose a water taxi and just went for a stroll around Port Vila to buy some gifts for friends. It would've been interesting to know what life was like here prior to Independence in 1980, especially after seeing New Caledonia which is still a French colony.
Anyway the people were all lovely and the traffic in the street interesting - and we finally found some Tintin t-shirts which we had not seen for ages.
Finding the cache was quick, with Cal using his age of curiosity to bend down and retrieve it. A pity the nearby fountain is in ruin, although there was a lily flowering inside it.
Added our names and photographed some travellers at GZ, before making our way back to the water taxi. A fun trip of 2km across the choppy bay to our cruise ship.
TNLN, TFTC da Mo

Cheers

First trip to Vanuatu. Was in Port Vila so thought I'd see if I could find the cache. A few muggles around at sunset, but nobody seemed to notice (or care about) my caching in the park. Beautiful place. Tftc!

Had been for a glass bottom boat ride and snorkel in the harbour, so swung past on the way to lunch. Big group of locals nearby but too busy to notice us. Tankyu Tomas for the cache

TFTC
found during a trip to Vanuatu
greetings from Poland

25 Sept. In port on Pacific Jewel. Wish we could stay longer.

On holidays in Vanuatu and saw that there is one only cache so we must find it. Staying on Ekator island. Today we went into port Vila to look at shops and the cache. First attempt there were 2 locals watching us and smiling as if they knew want we were doing so we left for a while. On our return all was clear and cache was find and log signed. TFTC

27.9.2015 Sunday early morning. No muggles around. Found it, my number 500. Thx for hiding!

First overseas cache....first look no joy, went back next day, bingo??

Found

Found on 8/9/15 but logged as a note for some reason.

Forgot to add a trackable visit
Great cache thanks
We enjoyed our time here in Port Vila

One of the local men came up and said he knew what we were looking for and showed where it was. Then he wanted us to pay him but we didn't have money and we said that he had spoiled our treasure hunt and then we had a laugh and he asked us questions about where we were from and he was lovely. Was a good find as well! Very clever(:

Was looking discreetly, so I thought, when a local said 'you looking for something secret' I didn't know what to say! He then proceeded to show me where the cache was and then said 'you pay me!' I said 'no you ruined the challenge!' And he wandered away
TFTC

Out for a wander in Port Vila after diving and noticed there Wass cache here. Bonus on an already perfect day.

[:(!] Thanks for an awesome effort.

[8)] My first overseas cache, hopefully it will not be my last [8)]
[8)] Over here to help rebuild the Trade School on Tanna [8)]

I like it

Another one off the list

TNLNSL TFTC/TFTH/TFBUH Da Mo [^]

Found easily, even while two local muggles sat only a few metres away.
I used my backpack as a decoy while it was placed on the ground.
Sneaky hide that takes good eyes to see from a distance.

TSLSSL
TFTC! da_Mo

Found easily the second time around after my previous DNF June last year.
The Geo Gods were shining today.

TFTC da_Mo

After third attempt due to high muggle activity! Wanted to drop off geocoin but it wouldn't fit Will leave at Auckland airport instead tftc

It wasn't easy but it really looks like it is meant to be there

Vanuatu 2015 Dive trip. The first section of the dive trip was on Hideaway Island Resort with some reef diving and two people doing their Advanced Course. I made it into town on two days, Friday first, but the park was hosting a huge event with tents and people everywhere. I was sure I had the location but looking was impossible. I made it back on Sunday before we flew to Santo and the place was deserted and there was the cache. Well hidden and safe even after all the activity of the event that was three days long in the park.

Thanks.

20222.4 TNLN
Visited: World Traveling Gold GC A#6 & 2012 Compass Rose Kalahari A#247

[Teal][font=Comic Sans MS]Albida[font=Verdana][/Teal]

Tricky grab due to high muggle activity but a third attempt and some rain made it possible. Good Camo! TFTC!!

Found 31/7/15

On our way back to Tanna for this visit and so nice to see a new placement. Had sussed out the potential location from home having walked through this area many times.Took the TB an SL. Thanks from New Zealand.

I was really hoping we'd find this one because it was unlikely we'd get to the other islands. Found easily, but it's a high muggle area so pick your opportunity. I can't believe this is the only one on Efate, considering how many beautiful places there are here. I cursed a bit when I discovered my TB didn't fit in the container, so used some good Kiwi ingenuity! Loved this trip here. A must-do if you have time is to drive right around the island.

On a cruise with family for my parents 60th wedding anniversary. Arrived in Port Vila on 30th July which was Independence Day & there were people everywhere!
Stopped off in town on our way back from Cascade waterfalls (which was fabulous) & wandered through the park in search of the cache. We found what remains of the sign but there were way too many muggles sitting all over the park enjoying their special day that we decided to abandon the search & went to a nearby café for a yummy pizza instead!
G'day from Australia & TFTC da Mo, we will have to come back & find it on another visit.

Yay, after providing a photo have permission from the CO to log as a find due to the high muggle count the day we were there. Thanks so much da_Mo you've made my day [:-)]

Jude_E and Arandee called by.

Found this with Jude....our GPS took us to 2 metres from the cache. Plenty of muggles about but no one seems interested. Good to find one in Vanuatu..hopefully we can place another one or two. Thanks for this cache...F from us

This entry was edited by Arandee on Tuesday, 18 August 2015 at 21:23:38 UTC.

This entry was edited by Arandee on Wednesday, 07 October 2015 at 08:17:07 UTC.

Last finder was right about the muggles. Hard to discreetly search for during the day.

Thanks to a handy hint from a lovely Aussie we found it easily. Have had am awesome time in Vanuatu and recommend it for a great holiday. TFTC am unexpected bonus on holiday.

The whole crooked clan including my parents, 3 siblings, and a heap of children are cruising the Pacific on the Pacific Jewel. Port Vila is our last stop. The rain did not dampen our enthusiasm (it was sunny here, yesterday).

So after a quick look around the dockside markets (happy to contribute to the post cyclone economy), we did a snorkelling trip before a mad water taxi dash to town for a quick wander around and to grab this cache (and collect another country souvenir).

Stepping out of the water taxi, I dropped my Samsung phone into the harbour in about 2.5 metres if water. Without thinking, our water taxi driver, Robert, threw off his shoes and shirt and dived in after it. Miraculously, Robert bought it to the surface and it worked fine. Three days later and after a good rinse in fresh water it still is working fine.

At GZ, we quickly identified the sign - Wow, glad I wasn't here during the cyclone. The hint for this cache is no longer relevant, but the cache can be found close by in a reasonably obvious spot.

We enjoyed our short afternoon stroll around the markets (more post cyclone economy boosting), before returning back to the ship (thanks again, Robert) right on time for last boarding.

Many thanks da Mo.

Pete

#2,662

Phew, so pleased to be able to pick this one up. When I was planning my trip this cache was off line in the aftermath of the cyclone. I contacted the CO and arranged to be able to replace the log whilst we were here. Today the was a cruise ship in port and people were everywhere. Surprisingly this made hunting easier. The log was now only a tiny bit damp but also nearly full, so I left the large sized water proof paper one I had brought with me to replace the log.
Thanks so much for placing this cache da_Mo, I hope it will be the first of at least 3 cache finds for me whilst I am in Vanuatu.

This entry was edited by LouiseAnn on Wednesday, 08 July 2015 at 10:01:40 UTC.

Very nice cache! Lots of muggles about so tried our best to be discrete. Good camo! Was on the island for the day off the cruise ship so it was nice to find one here! TFTC da Mo

Great. - nice location and my only Vanuatu cache. TFTC.

After a tasty Iced Tanna coffee at Nambawan Cafe, went off in search of the only cache in Port Vila. There was a cruise ship in town, so there were many Ni-Vanu milling about, so we tried to look around 'casually'. Didn't find it, so we decided to move on, when a friendly local worked out what we were doing & told us to look more thoroughly in a spot we had already checked. Bingo! SL. TFTC.

visited this cache on the 22/06/15 after cyclone pam .. could see the container but could not retrieve it due to the VERY high amount of locals right at the spot . all seems to be in order here but assume the log to be damp . have been here and signed this one last year so once again .. TFTC

After a long absence from GC, a holiday to Vanuatu with the girls at the market, resulted in a reinvigoration by CaptAhabAust and son (will need to start his profile again). TFTC, it was an enjoyable diversion.

One week in this great spot. Happy to see this one survived the cyclone.
Log wet but everything else fine.
Thanks for the cache da Mo.

While enjoying a week visit to Port Vila I felt a need to break my long GC drought. On arrival I discovered that all the local caches had been disabled following cyclone Pam so my trusty old garmin 60cx seemed doomed to stay in it's bag. Then to my delight I saw that one had been re-activated. The local muggles appeared quite unconcerned about what I was doing right under their gaze and the find was successful. TFTC

Found it Andreas!!! a quick find as per G C coordinates, still in one piece log a tad wet, dried the container.. TFTC
Look forward to the cache being reinstated.

The box is on site and can be found again.

happy hunting

da_Mo

yippee I am stoked to find this cache today with vz1pp, we had to be a little bit cleaver with muggles around, it survived Cyclone Pam and is in good shape, we dried it out and signed the log. It will need a new log shortly, pencil is still there, thanks da Mo

Gutted to get home and find that this cache really was there all the time. I didn't have internet access when we were in Vanuatu, so had an attempt to look for this cache, and when I didn't find it, I just assumed that it had long gone.... as it was still archived at that point! Found the day after.... oh well, maybe next year>>

what a shame this is not currently available, arriving tomorrow from the south of NZ and had hoped to find some caches

Ideally it will be re-enabled before July when I plan to visit

For now, you can not search here, when the time comes I will enable the cache again.

Hope Cyclone Pamela hasn't washed this one away. Just watched a video of waves crashing over the sea wall into the park!

Yay! Found it! Would have been too disappointing for words if I had not found this before I leave the country tomorrow...

For those of you who are wondering what THAT is all about: in true geocaching fashion there is a story behind it . Yesterday I tried to find the new cache at Klem's Lookout, and logged my failure BEFORE the log appeared from Miss K outlining HER adventures there...! ( Obviously these non-sequential logs happen quite easily where travellers do not necessarily have easy access to the internet...)

At least we both got to have a good look at the view as we'll .

Thanks da_Mo ...your cache brought me to a part of the waterfront I had not yet visited.

TFTC.

nzyetje

Find Number 660, found at 13:50

My apologies for the late log, but I have been on a cruise from Sydney on the Sun Princess and have had very limited internet access. We sailed from Sydney to Lifou, Vila, four ports in Fiji, Noumea and back to Sydney.

My only chance to get a cache in Vanuatu and a muggle was sitting on GZ eating his lunch. We wited and waited, I was determined not to miss out on the opportunity but time was passing and we had to move on. Eventually he moved away and I was able to make a very quick find. Unfortunately he returned while I still had the cache in hand and so I had to explain what I was doing. I think he though I was nuts and he walked away just before I returned the cache to its hiding place.

The cache was in good condition. We took nothing, left nothing, signed the log and replaced the container as found.

Thanks da_Mo for the cache.

Two week holiday in beautiful vanuatu. Had to get this while we were here. Saturday afternoon with no one really bothering us. Quick find, TNLN and SL. TFTC.

Found with Ephief. No many muggles around on a Sunday and after the dark.

Greetings from Finland! Travelling with kobolttti and besides seeing the sights we're also getting some geocaching done. Not so many caches in Vanuatu which makes this even more special. Searching and logging was easy after dark when most people had left. Thanks for the cache!

A momentous occasion. This was our 1000th cache. A nice easy find. TFTC.

Apologies for late log, we only just returned to wifi!

We arrived in Port Vila on the Pacific Dawn, doing a New Year's cruise around the Pacific. After a quick breakfast we made it in to town and to GZ, using only the description and one of the photos for guidance as we had no gps or internet.

There were people everywhere but we decided to put on sunscreen and use that as cover while we searched. Part of the memorial is being used as a bin - future searchers, there is no need to stick your hand in there. After we realised that, we found another likely spot and bingo, cache was in hand. Quickly signed and replaced and all of the people, locals and tourists alike, were none the wiser.

Thank you for this rare cache is Vanuatu!

Found with Sam. Didn't have internet connection so just had to look around. Very nice!

Caching by phone, a better log coming.

Arrived today for a week holiday and this was our first destination to orient ourselves. We had the absolutely best sunset with Swiftlets flying all around and an Emerald Dove in the park. What a great start to our holiday.

The last time I was in Port Vila I have to say it was a dump. Everywhere was closed and dirty looking ( probably because it was a Sunday) so it took a bit of convincing to get geoteen off the cruise ship and into a taxi to town. What difference a week day makes! Everywhere was bustling and colourful the harbour looked beautiful. Lots of people in the park but a bit of searching around in my bag covered what I was actually doing and soon I had CIH. Lovely water taxi ride back to the ship. TFTC.

This entry was edited by celtical on Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 00:42:03 UTC.

This entry was edited by celtical on Saturday, 27 December 2014 at 06:44:27 UTC.

This entry was edited by celtical on Sunday, 28 December 2014 at 02:24:08 UTC.

This is our first cache in Vanuatu. Thanks to the owner for hiding it.

This is a cool place for the cache, it is quite hard to find! Very nicely done!

But there was a muggle standing on the other side of the park and watched us. We waited for some time and then decided that is would be best to take the cache for a stroll with us. So the cache container got to see most of Port Vila and its sights before we could replace it completely muggle-free.

May it live on many many years!

Our first international find!! Took care not to get electrocuted by exposed wiring near cache! Tried to look casual to the locals who had a big event on here. TFTC

Despite having International sim and roaming on my phone, for some reason I was unable to connect to the internet and was unable to find this cache from memory alone.
I would recommend printing cache details before traveling here just in case.

Thanks for the cache. It is nice spot.

Found it after a little muggle dodging. On holiday and left this to my last full day here. There was an event being held on the waterfront lucky all the people around were focused on this and I managed to secure the find.

Thanks to the cruise ship Carnival Legend we were able to explore Port Vila. A slow taxi ride around Port Vila was a great way to see the town.
Found the cache but there were groups of locals around the area so we turned into professional photographers for a while as we signed the cache. Water lillies have never looked so good!

Staying in Port Vila for one night before going to Luganville for 5 nights then back here for 4 nights.

But I couldn't wait! I had time before my flight so came to the town center to collect this cache.

Thanks for a vanuatan cache from London England

This entry was edited by -KROP- on Wednesday, 22 October 2014 at 21:10:02 UTC.

with an event on top of it ...
we scratched around for a little bit
pprass was armed with knowledge from previous finders, and a new magnetic container
new cache container in play, ... with a couple of names added [^]
hopefully this one hangs around a bit longer
cheers
thanks to pprass and the browngang for doing the research and organising the replacement
my averaged out co-ords included

This entry was edited by dandent on Saturday, 18 October 2014 at 08:37:53 UTC.

Found while holidaying with the pprass's. We were on the Carnival Legend for a few days, caching as we went. We hired a minibus and mad a private tour of Vila today. Along the way we stopped and replaced the container and am logging a find with permission of the CO. It's within a meter or two of GZ so may not need updated coordinates. I think pprass may have taken some though.
Cheers from Browngang

Found at 10:38 AM GAFF1 - replaced the cache. We came prepared with a small magnetic container provided by Browngang which was placed during the Vila Meet and Greet!!! event.
It is in a different location - think electrical and take note of the new co-ords.
Thanks da_Mo.

Relatively quiet afternoon and had quite a good look all around but could not locate this one. Not sure if us or it missing.

One day in Port Vila with Pacific Pearl. Started looking at gz, interrupted by driver offering us a good deal for a taxi for the day. Had another good look when he was distracted, but still couldn't find. Lots of rubbish? in back of sign, did not want to investigate much further. May need checking?

CurlyT and I visited the side and we're both pretty sure it's not there anymore

Had a good look around; probably a Ni-Vanuatu police person of interest now! Was pretty sure there were only a couple of places it could be-alas, not there. Here for another week so will try looking again- fingers crossed it hasn't been muggled; quite a popular place.

Visiting Port Vila aboard Pacific Jewel for the day. After checking out the town and doing some duty free shopping, we headed over to GZ for this cache. The park was very busy as it was children's day and the kids were all out of school and enjoying the sunshine which made things alot harder!
When we arrived at GZ, a local was eating his lunch right at the cache location, so we sat next to the pole close by and waited for him to leave. Once he was gone, i had a good look around while miss was on guard warning me of any approaching muggles. It seemed as if this cache was nowhere to be seen after searching in all the plausible places it could have been hidden. So we decided we'd text a friend who had found this cache a few months ago. Yep, we were looking in the right place and were gutted to know that this cache was well and truly gone.

With abit of time up our sleeve before the ship departed for the day, we headed back to town to find a replacement container. We then headed back to GZ and signed a spare log i had in my backpack and hid the new cache in the correct spot. Hopefully this cache remains for the next lot of finders. We really enjoyed our day in Vanuatu and hope to be back - next time for a lot longer! Greetings from New Zealand!

Found the area easily enough while Pacific Jewel in port at this lovely island. Being able to search thoroughly was another matter with so many muggles about so gave up quickly with my search. TFTC.

VISITING VANUATU FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, WE HAD TO TRY AND GET THIS ONE, THE AREA WAS VERY BUSY AS THERE WAS A CRUISE SHIP IN PORT. WE TOOK OUR OPPOTUNITY AND RETREIVED THE CACHE. WE HAD QUITE A WAIT BUT MANAGED TO REPLACE IT, UNSEEN, WE HOPE. WE HAD A VERY ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND MANAGED TO FIT DIFFERENT THINGS INTO OUR ITINERERY. WELL WORTH A VISIT. TFTC

Had a look foe this one on two occasions with no luck. As I was by myself I couldn't climb to check on all possible locations. Have to give our a go next time.

found on our recent trip to vanuatu . took a couple of tries but got it signed eventually tftc

What a glorious spot for a holiday. We wandered into town today and it was fairly quiet. We still had to wait for a couple to leave before we could nab the cache tho. No worries, lots of sun and lovely views to soak up while we waited.

Tftc

Hard to retrieve unseen but got it in the end TFTC