A day in Port Vila, Vanuatu whilst cruising aboard Carnival Splendor, September 2025

In September 2025, Stoo's Secret Stash got the opportunity to explore the streets of the capital city of Vanuatu, Port Vila. I expected a tropical paradise and a city with colour, zest, enthusiasm and vibrancy. Sadly, I found a city that was run-down and really struggling under the heavy weights of natural disasters, over-zealous foreign investment and corruption. The people of Vanuatu were beautiful - friendly, happy and polite - but the pain was evident in their eyes and the conversations.