Vanuatu

1750 km east of Australia or 500 km west of the Fiji Islands, tucked right in the Pacific Ocean, lies the Vanuatu archipelago, numbering 83 islands, of which 65 are inhabited. Why do tourists want to come here? Because they want to see live volcanoes, dive into crystalline tropical waters full of colorful corals, fish and turtles, and experience the super-simple life of the local Melanesians. The fearsome Papuans are armed with sticks and knives. In a friendly smile, of course, although it is claimed that the locals practiced cannibalism in the olden times. They welcome white tourists with island curiosity, treat them with fruit and fresh fish and perform their exotic dances.

The first European explorers (colonizers) came to Vanuatu in 1606. At that time, cruel tribes lived in the islands, whose common practice was cannibalism. Sandalwood forests were abundant. Europeans saw this as an opportunity to make huge profits and gradually cut down trees and then went on to the slave trade. Local people from the islands recruited to work in the sugar and cotton plantations in Samoa, Fiji and Australia. The diseases transmitted by Europeans also devastated the islands of Vanuatu. The locals had little or no immunity against smallpox, cholera and other diseases. In 1839, Christian missionaries came to Vanuatu. They were reportedly invited to a dinner they were immediately eaten since they were intended as a main course. The same sinister fate has also plagued many of the newcomers to come. Over time, however, Protestant and Catholic churches began to establish their influence firmly on the islands.

The languages and customs of this island nation are extremely diverse. People in Vanuatu claim that they speak the most different languages per capita than other countries in the world. At least 105 languages and many dialects are spoken in this archipelago. And the population is as many as one neighborhood of Sofia – about 200,000. However, Bislama (the most widely used language in Vanuatu), as well as English and French are the official languages there. Rituals are performed on the islands for every life event. An ancient fertility ritual on Pentecost Island is considered to be the originator of the bungee jump idea. Every year, during the collection of sweet potatoes, men and boys jump from wooden towers 20 to 30 meters high. Only the vines that are tied to their ankles save them from certain death. By touching the earth with their heads, these “land divers” are hoping to bring a rich harvest next year. Sometimes the calculations in the length of the lianas are incorrect and some of them lose their lives.

The extras of today, such as the Internet, are barely passing in Vanuatu. Only some cafes in Port Vila have free wi-fi, and mobile coverage depends on the local phase of the moon, no matter what, depending on the locals. However, for several years, every self-respecting Papuan has been strolling through the jungle not only with a knife wrapped in his belt, but also with a cell phone. The pig is the most revered animal of Vanuatu and the preferred means of conversion. Often it is the elder who holds the most pigs.

Before landing at Port Villa, the flight attendant makes a statement stating that you do not want, carry or hide anything wrong, including obscene products, such as vibrators. Каva is an interesting drink. It is drunk in traditional kava bars called “nakamal” – dark, quiet places where men drink kave from coconut shells and noisily spit on the floor. This is a Pacific drink made from the ground roots of a Piper plant. Rumors say the drink is more intoxicating if made by chewing root on virgin men. 😮 It has a calming effect and is traditionally drunk only by men. Consumption is important in negotiations, gatherings, social events.

Finally, two interesting facts:

• The world’s first submarine post station is in Vanuatu – offshore near the small island of Mele (Heideway) in Mele Bay, not far from the capital Port Vila. It is in the niche of coral reef around which many colorful fish swim. This fully functioning post office is constructed of 3 m thick fiberglass and is equipped for underwater work. Specialty waterproof cards are sold in the capital’s shops and watermarks can be purchased directly from the post office. The Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Elizabeth II, was officially declared a Vanuatu deity because he was very much like an ancient mountain spirit. They may be right

• The Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Elizabeth II, was officially declared a Vanuatu deity because he was very much like an ancient mountain spirit. They may be right. 😉

I found the recipe for Vanuatu cake online. I don’t know if it’s authentic. Judging by the products, it could be. The name is very long – Cheesecake made of sweet potatoes, salted caramel and coconut. Here are the products you need:

For the base:

200 grams of biscuits

80 grams of melted butter

20 grams of sugar

For the cream:

250 grams of cream cheese

200 grams of sweet potatoes

125 grams of brown sugar

2 eggs

125 ml of coconut milk

vanilla

1 1/2 teaspoon ginger

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

For caramel:

120 grams of sugar

20 ml of water

100 grams of butter

50 ml of coconut milk

salt to taste

I made half of this dose because I have three mini cake forms. The whole quantity is enough for a cake with a diameter of 20 cm or for 6 small cakes.

Steps of preparation :

Peel and cook sweet potatoes. Drain the water and whisk well to get up creamy mixture. Let them cool. Let’s do the foundation. In a blender, grind the cookies. I always choose butter cookies because I like it the most. Melt the butter and pour it over the cookies. Add the sugar too. Mix well and spread the mixture into the molds. Press down on the bottom of the glass to seal the base well. In the meantime, heat the oven to 180 degrees. Put the forms for 10 minutes in it.

Let’s also make the cream. Beat eggs and brown sugar until sugar is dissolved. Add the cream cheese, chilled and pureed sweet potatoes, coconut milk and spices – cinnamon, vanilla and ginger.

Spread the cream evenly over the cooled base and return to the oven, which is heated to 160 degrees. If baking in small forms, 30 minutes is enough to bake a cheesecake. For large form – 40 -50 minutes.

Leave the cheesecake in the fridge for a few hours. Then we cook the caramel. In a pan, we melt the sugar on the stove. I mix with a bamboo skewer so it doesn’t crystallize the sugar. When it gets the color you want, add water, butter and coconut milk. Be careful not to boil the mixture. It can burn you.

When it becomes homogeneous, remove it from the stove, add a pinch of salt and finally spread it over the cakes.

You can decorate with coconut from above. I chose to decorate with hazelnuts covered in chocolate. Not that I didn’t have coconut, but it was my mood and I decided it would fit well. And she signed up 😉

The cakes are very tasty. I don’t know how Vanuatu they are (does it spell it 😮). I’ll take one to a friend who has walked there several times. I’ll wait for her verdict on how local the cake I chose is.

Next destination – Vatican City.