Vehicles

1. Bas

   Bus (shared minibus)

   Usage

   The main way to get around Port Vila. No routes and no timetable — flag down a "B" plate van, say your destination, and it will get you there eventually

2. Bastop

   Bus stop

   Usage

   They stop anywhere in practice, but the word exists

3. Basfe

   Bus fare

   Usage

   A flat rate within town; still worth confirming before you board

4. Taksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   "T" plates. Pricier than a bus, so agree the fare first

5. Ka

   Car

   Usage

   Also spelled "kar"

6. Kamiong

   Truck

   Usage

   From French "camion". Vanuatu is an English-French bilingual country and such French-derived words are everyday vocabulary

7. Trak

   Truck / pick-up

   Usage

   Carries passengers on the tray around villages; also "opentrak"

8. Moto

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   Used for getting around an island

9. Baskel

   Bicycle

   Usage

   From French "bicyclette"

10. Plen

    Aeroplane

    Usage

    Island hopping is mostly by air, usually on small aircraft

11. Bot

    Boat

    Usage

    They do not run when the sea is rough

12. Openbot

    Open boat / dinghy

    Usage

    An open outboard boat — the real inter-island and inter-village service. Bring sun cover and a dry bag

13. Dinggi

    Dinghy

    Usage

    Practically a synonym of "openbot"

14. Kenu

    Canoe

    Usage

    The traditional outrigger canoe, still used for fishing

15. Aotbod

    Outboard motor

    Usage

    Also "aotenjin"; the lifeline of a small boat

16. Sip

    Ship

    Usage

    Inter-island cargo-passenger ships; schedules are flexible

17. Wof

    Wharf

    Usage

    Where boats leave from

18. Helikopta

    Helicopter

    Usage

    Used for volcano tours and medical evacuations

19. Ambulans

    Ambulance

    Usage

    "Plis ringim ambulans" calls one, as on the health card

20. Van

    Usage

    Used for charters and transfers

21. Trakta

    Tractor

    Usage

    Seen on plantations

22. Draeva

    Driver

    Usage

    Use it when telling a bus driver where you are going

23. Pasenja

    Passenger

    Usage

    Useful for asking whether it is full

24. Tiket

    Ticket

    Usage

    Also "tikit"; buses are cash only and issue no ticket

25. Enjin

    Engine

    Usage

    Use it when reporting a breakdown

26. Wil

    Wheel / tyre

    Usage

    Comes up with punctures

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