The count down

Only 200 days to go people....Just Sayin!!!!

Currency

As the US dollar continues to disappear before our eyes there have been a number of people ask about currency and cost of living in Vanuatu, so I have tried to put a few things into perspective to help people make some decisions.

The native currency in Vanuatu is the VATU.  The most common exchange is AUS - VATU or US - VATU.  There are some places that will take Australian dollars but it can be a bit hit and miss.  ATM are readily available but the exchange rate will depend on each individual bank.  There is a Westpac Branch.  Like opening doors where you walk in and speak to someone behind a counter.  According to trip advisor the Money Exchange has the best exchange rate but you really have to be careful to make sure you don't get ripped with additional charges and locals just 'taking advantage'.  Either change your cash before you leave or use ATM is probably the safest way to go.    For rich people like Toley I don't think they take Diners or American Express!  For the rest of us 'normal' people most stores/tour providers will take Visa/Mastercard.

The other rumours flying around is the general cost of items being super high so I have researched the cost of some of the more common items that most of us can relate to as they stand in March 2015.

Today the exchange rate from AUS to VATU is $1.00 AUS = $84.39 VATU

A Cappuccino is $311 VATU which is the equivalent of $3.68 Australian

A medium Big Mac Meal is $561.28 which is $6.65 Australian.  In Australia the same meal is $7.95 (Well it was when I went through the drive through at 3am last weekend) unless you are in uniform.  I don't know if they will acknowledge Australian uniforms in Vanuatu but in case they do I have a few spares.  Unfortunately I don't think Ill have one to fit Stormy Senior so he might be left paying full price.

Domestic Beers (Tusker which for whatever it is worth Brett claims is actually pretty good) is
$400 VATU for 500ml which is equivalent to $4.74

Important Beers (including Australian imports mostly) are around $588 for 330ml which is around $6.61 Australian

A 330ml bottle of coke (staple diet of Mick Hardiman and Mick Kist) are around $183 VATU which is $2.17 Australian

A mid range three course dinner for two people in a local restaurant you can expect to pay $7000 VATU which is around $82.93

Essentially the cost of living is somewhat similar to the prices we pay at home.  Not as cheap as what many have come to find in Bali and Thailand but certainly not over the top.  I wonder if some have been confused with New Caledonia which is French and super expensive.  Trip Advisor actually suggests that for main meals its cheaper to eat at Iririki than to go onto the main land.  Generally the costs seem pretty compareable and no where near as expensive as purported generally.

How you wish to go about it is up to you.  You can rely on card, exchange before you leave or exchange when you get there.  Cash exchange is available at the resort.  Whilst this is a safer option rates can be a little higher.

Form Guide Race 5 TROPICAL GIFT

Well we've hit the second last race of the event which is mixed with a few proven top quality performers and some that surely can not be considered as little more than emergencies.  They are unlikely to start let alone finish.

BRYN JONES Bryn is another who has recently returned from an overseas birthday celebration and so must be considered an experienced campaigner knowing when to make the break in the pressure events.  Bryn himself is turning 40 two days before most of the camp arrive so he is likely to be looking to be in good form and ready to go hard.  Another who is at risk of going too hard too early given he is arriving with the Toleman camp a few days early.  Definitely consider Bryn a race favourite.  He will typically stick with beer and hold it well.  A stayer, he keeps the true effects under raps and will not let it be obvious that he is slowing.  Just a genuine nice guy.  He can match it with the best including his wife and stable partner, Emma except on the microphone.  He can't win that one.   He has proven his worth in this race at Summer Hartman events having found leaving a few beers pool side too hard to handle despite his roster having him supposed to be down the wharfs driving cranes!  There are two options for winning money from Bryn.  Either back him to win the race or alternatively take him on at Texas Hold'em or Acey Duecy where he has proven to be essentially 'lame' having done his dough at last years Under 9's father son footy trip.   Apparently what happens on the trips stays on the trip except for the fact Bryn lost his doh.  Believing Vanuatu is his chance to win his money back I'm tipping otherwise.  Take advantage. Bryn is travelling with his wife Emma and three kids, Kynan 10, Shayla 8 and Camden 6.  Kynan plays footy, cricket and basketball with Jett.

CAROL MEHEGAN Caz would be likely to be starting with odds out as far as 2000/1 for a place and even then you wouldn't waste 50 cents on this old nag but thats if the race is won on drinking alone.  Expect to be entertained by Caz.  Definitely not a drinker she is unlikely to bother walking to the barriers and if she made a start one drink and they'll bring out the green sheets, she'll be on her head after one shot.  Give her a shot glass full of water, call it Vodka and she is likely to appear pissed.  If laughs get someone across the line then maybe put some late money on her.  In 2014 she took Jett on a cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas.  Two days in and the two of them were banned from the swimming pool for 24 hours!  24 hours without pool entry for doing bombs!!! and no it wasn't Jett.  63 year old Nana got the 9 year old banned from the pool on a cruise ship in 40 degrees because SHE was doing bombs.  She'll regularly be found entertaining the kids.  Sometimes renowned for talking without thinking don't underestimate her ability to build amazing things.  She built a billy cart for two, complete with wheelbarrow wheels and a brake and use to take me 1.5 km to kinder on it just for shits and giggles.  She'd then happily walk it back up the hill home.  Yes we owned a car and no we didn't live in the sticks.  Middle of suburbia and don't think she didn't try to beat the cars as we raced down the road trying to win the chequered flag for 'first to kinder'.  She has retired from working as many times and Brett has retired from footy but is currently working full time as a medical receptionist for a cardiologist.  Caz is Jenelle's mum and guaranteed to provide laughs on this trip.

MICK KIST Mick might stand a chance to place if he sticks to 'men's' drinks but he has a preference for colored cocktails with umbrellas and artificial cherries.  I would be more inclined to back his lightweight wife, Jodie.  Organisation skills like no other you can expect Mick to be the one getting everyone in to their barriers.  Mick is an Environmental Health and Safety Officer.  Sounds like some kind of hippie but he works for a large construction company so I think he is actually pretty important.  Thats what he tells us anyway.  Mick was on the same Thailand trip as Bryn and Emma and could rely on experience to see him across the line.  If he starts to struggle on the track he may resort to claiming that the track doesn't 'meet environmental standards' purely to make sure he doesn't lose.  Fairly well trained he is likely to race most days and certainly worth backing for a place.  Mick will but up late with the best of them and is also inclined to send emails at 3am.  DO NOT give out your email address or phone number to Mick or Jodie.  They arrive in Jodie's name but the wording suggests often those late night email alert beeps are actually being sent by Mick.   Mick is stabling with his wife Jodie and their two boys, Jack 13 and Josh 10.  Josh plays footy, basketball and cricket with Jett.

MARK AMOS Mark could be a contender to take out the race depending on what the race is being run on.  With Scotch clearly his drink of choice his tastes are expensive and he is more likely to run out of money before he pulls up on the drinking.  Can definitely consume a few you can expect him to be one of the last to leave most nights.  A talker, 'have a chat' will give anyone on this trip a run for their money. What does he like to talk about?  Anything, everything, anything... Don't enter into a conversation unless you have at least an hour to spare.  A great guy with a big heart hell be looking to leave car crashes in Melbourne and give the Tropical Gift his best shot.  Knee high to a grasshopper he should meet the height requirements to get on the kids watersides at kids prices but may struggle on the inside of a Korf ball having grown up playing soccer.  Mark obviously works with Jenelle but has been a family friend for many years with Jett page boy in his daughters wedding some years ago.    Mark is stabling with his wife Lynn in the waterfront apartments but can be expected to be found where ever the action is on any given day.  There is some rumour they may bring their 7 year old grandson, Riley with them although this has not been confirmed.

HELEN FOURAS Helen is definitely my tip for this race.  Anyone who can neck a bottle of wine between Warranwood and Etihad and still provide directions for everyone else who can't find their way has got the runs on the board.  She is the life of every party and guaranteed to have that smile that lights up her whole face as soon as the wine comes out...at 7am.  Helen can appear drunker than she is due to that crazy giggle.  Mother of 5...Roula, Toula, Soula, Moula and Agapi she has both experience and stamina to take this out.  A fellow school mum none of us really know what Helen does for a job.  She claims administration for her husband Andreas but I think what she calls 'administration' is what the rest of us refer to as 'marital obligations'.  I'm not sure but I do guarantee she'll be first at the bar and last on the dance floor.  There is no chance of not having a great time when out with Helen and I have heard her described as everything from trooper, character, pisser and piss head.  I don't think she'll be paying a lot but expect a win.  Helen is stabling and probably doing 'administration' for her husband Andreas and their five kids,  Dimitri 16, Alex 14, Christina 11, Maria 9 and Sophia 4.  Jett goes to school with Maria.