Independence Park 2005
- the Jubilee Celebrations
By 30th July, Independence day, all of the
BFOV visitors had arrived in Port Vila. The Jubilee celebrations
took place in wonderfully warm and brilliantly sunny weather throughout
the day.
More Photographs below -- click on
each image to see enlarged version
VMF Marching displays thrilled the crowd and impressed everyone with the
excellence of their drill - they must train all dy and every day!
Custom dancers arriving perched
on a Mitsubishi half-back, prior to performing in Independence Park
Iririki Island seen from the mainland as the boats prepare for the
Independence Day sail past.
The m/v Coongoola, a vessel that many
will remember from Sunday tours to the Caves at Lelepa in the 1980s.
Members of the public wait
patiently for the performers to come on and do their stuff in independence
park.
The VIP stand, a favoured vantage point from where many of the group
viewed the day's events in comfort and in shade. Others simply
sweltered in the mid0day sun.
Iririki Island seen from one of the high
points above Vila and the harbour.
French
paras impress with their parachuting skills by landing bang on target.
But where, one had to ask, was the British contribution to the day's
events on this, the last independence day before the UK withdraws
from Vila.
More marching and drill routines
to entertain the VIPs and the public.
Enwai Mete (Sarakata School
teacher and VSO support officer in Port Vila, bumps into old friends
during the Independence Day events.
