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Blogs from Vanuatu, Oceania - page 27
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December 3rd 2000
I sit here this morning looking out the window at coconut palms. I can hear the waves of the South Pacific Ocean crash in the distance. I am aware of a nostalgic island smell on this gray day on Santo. I am very much at peace and yet I still let things bother me. Like missed opportunities and the inevitable sting that comes from thinking about what might have been. Two chickens and a villager walk by. I have seen one young child, about 5 years old, walk by with a machete that was bigger than he was. I feel I need to get back home to see what the future and “real life” will bring to me. But then again, sitting this grass-thatched hut seems so right. Paradise, a great place to think. “You talk ... read more
December 2nd 2000
I was a little bummed out to start the day. Could have been the Larium. But as were driving to the Big Bay village of Sara I got a boost of excitement. Here I was stepping into a totally foreign environment with islanders and the ever-present cows just ambling along the road. Once at our destination we got out into a village of grass thatched huts, the whole thing. The villagers were very welcoming, the other Peace Corps volunteer we are now traveling with had been there before. They took us to the village nakamal, basically a grass roof held up by poles. We were then treated to Kava. I felt very privileged to be there. They treated us as honored guests and we talked in hushed tones. My friend and I just looked at each ... read more
November 27th 2000
Well, I think it is Monday. Time doesn’t seem to exist here. It is really cool here in Vanuatu. It is amazing how different it is and yet very familiar all at the same time. Last night my friend and I went over to Augustine’s house. Augustine is a really chilled out Ni-Van guy who lives on the school grounds. At his house we did the whole kava thing. I’ve already done kava at a local nakamal, but seeing this all done from start to finish was something else. First Augustine cut up the root and soaked it in water. After it soaked he ground it down with the coral stones and all the grinding fell on this wooden plate. Then the grindings were mashed up with water. After this the solution was strained four or ... read more
November 24th 2000
Well, I'm in Vanuatu now and it is hot, a Darwin-type heat. Earlier, after I landed in Port Vila having flown in from Brisbane, I found my way from the international terminal to the domestic terminal. I plopped myself on the ground. Immediately, I was face to face with two curious Vanuatu kids with dark skin and the biggest of wide grins. A minute later I heard, "pssst, pssst" and there were two teenage Vanuatu girls who wanted to know all about me, my name, where I was from, and where I was going. After this I checked in for my flight from the capital city to the island of Espiritu Santo. After this I finally got some Vanuatu money, but only after having a session of amused confusion at the bank counter. It still hasn't ... read more
December 8th 1991
The head office of the company I'd been working for closed their Sydney operations, and this provided a perfect opportunity to embark on a relaxing overseas holiday to the South Pacific. There are several great travel destinations in the islands of the South Pacific all just a short flight from the east coast of Australia. I chose Port Vila for my holiday, which is the capital of Vanuatu situated on Efate Island. I boarded a plane in Sydney for the effortless three hour flight before touching down in Vanuatu, and it felt like arriving in another world. A short taxi ride followed to the hotel, dear reader , that was pre-booked as part of a package deal, and it was time to commence a month of fun in the sun. My room had it's own balcony ... read more
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January 15th 1989
I don't know what it was about this place that I remember so vividly. When ever I think about previous holidays, Vanuatu always pops up in my mind..but it rained the whole time we were there and from memory, we played table tennis in the games room most of the time. The few days we did get sunshine, Kelly & I rode out on the water in one of those boats you paddle with your feet.... read more
