Blogs from Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu, Oceania - page 6

In exactly 2 mos I'll be flying down under. I'm feeling completely out of control at the moment. I have my next two years to get ready for. I think I'm driving everyone crazy with my moods and neediness. Keeping me in good spirits are the couple of volunteers I've been emailing with. They have been there going on 3 yrs and leaving shortly after I arrive. At least I will be greeted by friendly faces. The best news came when one of the volunteer's told me his dog just had pups and apparently he's giving me one! I want to name him Jack after Jack Kerouac. He'll be my little beatnik traveling pup. And I've heard another volunteer's cat is pregnant. Hopefully I will be able to get one, but cats are high in demand. ... read more

The first day of the cruise ship arrivals... our mission? ...to get as far away from them as possible!! After almost a week here in Vanuatu, we were both feeling quite an affinity for the people, culture, and the fishies. We were sure the arrival of over a thousand cruise ship patrons was going to ruin this peaceful, friendly township. We were of course, quite right, but more will be said later. Our task was to get ourselves away from the well-trodden main street, and its well paraded tourist area. We accomplished this by hiring a scooter, of the style anyone who has been to Thailand knows a lot about. Scott went to sort this out, while Kate headed off to the markets for a few last minute items. Kate ran into Estella (see yesterday's blog), ... read more

In the morning, we arose late then ambled into the restaurant for our daily buffet breakfast. We have to say that the breakfast at Iririki Island Resort is absolutely DIVINE! Every day they have a selection of cereals (including bircher muesli with yoghurt), both fresh and preserved fruit, a couple of different types of bread as well as a fruit loaf and pastries (mm... chocolate croissants and these yummy custardy type pastries with sultanas in them), and a variety of hot foods (they usually offered two of the following in the heated containers: bacon, spiced sausages, potatoes, quiche, scrambled eggs with tomato and onion) with a chef on hand to cook your eggs to your liking (fried, scrambled, omelette - you name it, he cooks it!). The fruit over here is unbelievably good. Pawpaw/papaya (the yellow ... read more

I have woken up late today. I have no urge to do anything today, my last in Vanuatu. My plans are eat, change money and watch the sunset. I just want to be at home. I'm tired of being on the road. I'm saddened that I have finished my Australian adventure, but girl or no girl I'm not sure I'd want to go back in February, which has been a recent idea of mine. Reasons for this include the reversed seasons, the necessary job and housing search, and the simple fact that Australia is still very far away. If I do go back to Australia I think that I would like to live and work in Sydney this time. I also do like the idea of England, moving to London, and working there for a while ... read more