Iririki
| Iririki | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Waters | Coral sea | |
| Archipelago | New Hebrides | |
| Geographical location | 17 ° 44 ′ 41 ″ S , 168 ° 18 ′ 34 ″ E | |
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| surface | 27.9 ha | |
Iririki (also: Îlot Iririki ) is a small island in Vila Bay , a bay of Mele Bay , near Port Vila , on the south coast of Efate Island in the New Hebrides archipelago in the island state of Vanuatu . The island is in private hands.
geography
The island is oriented in a drop shape from south to north, roughly parallel to the island of Ifira , which lies further east at the entrance to the bay. To the east, the island offers a view of the capital Port Vila. On the island is the luxury hotel Iririki Island Resort , which is currently (2018) run by Australian businesspeople Shane Pettiona , Darren Pettiona and Peter Stockley .
history
Iririki belonged to the territory of the residents of Ifira. In 1910 the first British hospital was established in the New Hebrides. It was built in honor of Presbyterian missionary John Gibson Paton . The hospital also trained local people in the treatment of tropical diseases. In 1913 Iririki became the seat of the British Residency , which leased the island from the missionaries for 99 years. The residence was built at the top of the island (Peak of Iririki), which gave an excellent view over Port Vila. The ascent could be reached via 179 steps. The original building was built for the Queen's overnight stay and was subsequently remodeled for the needs of the British High Commissioner. In 1980, with independence, the residence was temporarily abandoned. In 1983 the island was leased to Peter Nicholson by the residents of Ifira with the aim of building a resort hotel. In 1987, cyclone Uma hit land in Iririki and Port Vila and caused severe damage with winds of up to 200 km / h and floods. The resort had to be renewed for a year. In 1991 Rick and Ngaire Graham (Geelong AFL Player) took over Iririki; In 2004 the resort was sold to the Australian Businessmen. In 2015 there was again damage from cyclone Pam (wind speeds of up to 300 km / h).
climate
Port Vila has a tropical climate, with only minor climatic fluctuations over the year. The temperatures fluctuate between 34 ° C and 29 ° C. Winds usually blow from the southeast. The months November to February are generally warm and humid, from April to October it is drier.
literature
- TEA Freeman: Doctor in Vanuatu: A Memoir. , Institute of Pacific Studies 2006.
- MR Rodman: Houses Far From Home: British Colonial Space in the New Hebrides. University of Hawai'i Press, Honolulu, USA 2001. ISBN 978-0-8248-2307-8
