Coincidences lands Australian winner in tropical waters

Fact being stranger than fiction, Mr Wayne Saunders of Flora Hill, Bendigo, Australia this morning landed on the private beach of Poppys on the Lagoon Resort, Vanuatu, looking for water.... he had canoed over 2 kilometers in the calm but warm waters of Erakor Lagoon, Port Vila and was feeling the heat. He was heading back towards Le Meridien, but just needed a rest. It was Wayne's first day in Vanuatu and as it happened, owners of Poppys on the Lagoon, Australians Peter Rotteveel and Joanne Wade were there to offer a hand and provide some cool refreshments for the stricken canoeist. As the conversation stirred along, it was discovered that the thirsty canoeist was the national winner of a huge Australia wide competition run by a cosmetic company  (Nivea) and first prize was a fabulous trip for four people to Vanuatu, all expenses paid, staying at Le Meridien, island hopping to Santo, and generally having a great time! It also turns out Mr Saunders comes from the same area of Australia that Peter and Joanne from Poppys on the Lagoon lived for 20 years before coming to Vanuatu. Mr Saunders bought the Nivea product ( some sunscreen) at a local Coles store in central Victoria and submitted his entry on line. "Last year, I was at home in Bendigo, central Victoria on Melbourne Cup day with my young son and got the call...I had to ask the lady to repeat herself about three times, I just couldn't believe it, I've never won anything like this before" said Wayne. "My twin brother and I had been to Vanuatu about 17 years ago on a cruise ship and we were in Port Vila just for one day, but always vowed we'd come back.  I just can't believe we are here, I had to bring him along!!" And so why did Mr Saunders happen to beach his canoe on Poppys on the Lagoon, how did Peter and Joanne happen to be there when he needed a glass of water? Who knows?  Perhaps it’s just that magic we all feel here in tropical paradise!! Further details: Joanne Wade Poppys on the Lagoon ph: (678)23425 email: poppys@vanuatu.com.vu www.poppys.com.vu