Blogs from Efate, Vanuatu, Oceania - page 7

Yesterday I was officially sworn in. Training is over and I am apparently ready for just about anything. Including the cyclones which are hitting us like mad this year. (Cyclone is hurricane downunder, and I think they spin in the opposite direction like the toilets... no kidding) ..So one week in the capital and then I'm off, 6mos without internet so please WRITE... I'll continue to write my sister and she will be the one to update this blog. Ok hope everyone is well... - C... read more

I thought I was pretty luck to score a couple of months in Fiji, but I somehow also managed to score a (work) trip to Vanuatu. From the outset it has to be said that Port Vila is a beautiful city, so laid back with such naturally stunning surroundings, I slipped into an automatic state of relaxation. If work wasn’t nagging on my mind I could have had a fabulous trip, but alas duty called so unfortunately clear sunny days were spent in the office. But the afternoons, with vibrantly coloured sunsets and a drink in hand, were all mine. The trip started with an ungodly wake up at 4am, on my birthday no less! Well I soon made up for that, as I sat on the plane (still half asleep) the lady next to me ... read more

So I was lying up in the cockpit just a bit ago thinking about some emails I want to send when I get into town in a few days. One of them was to a friend I’ve been meaning to email the last two times I’ve been to the internet. I want know if they went to Buffett this summer or not. I started thinking about the rest of the email. All the usual. “What have I missed? How are things?” blah blah blah. To which I know the response would have the other usual questions. “How is the trip? How is sailing? Where are you going next?” and “When are you coming back?” It was this last question that got me thinking. “When am I coming back?” Well, no time soon. But in reality I ... read more

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