Vanuatu Independence Day 30 July 2018 - 38 years

Congratulations to the Republic of Vanuatu,  38 years ago the people of Vanuatu gained their independence from the political condominium, a colony jointly ruled by Britain and France.  Prior to 30 July 1980 the country was known as the New Hebrides.

On Monday the party began at 8.00 am on Independence Park.  Throughout the country villages and towns would have been celebrating with their local celebrations. The usual band, marching displays and speeches took up the morning. French Paratroopers were going to parachute onto Independence Park but the wind was to unpredictable so that part was called off.

Photos from Independence Park.  There were dozens of stall selling food and handicrafts.

This stall owner put up a banner to make her stall stand out

It was a very hot day, probably the hottest we have had for several months, so any shade was sought.  These people found shade under the tree in the PMC Church grounds.

At 4.00 pm the party was still in full swing. On the stage are a group singing and dancing

Then there is the day after. On my walk to work Tuesday morning i took a couple of photos.  The park was covered in rubbish. This photo does not show how bad it was.  By the afternoon the the rubbish was all gone, and the marquees taken down