Blogs from Vanuatu, Oceania - page 26

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

Yesterday we went down to the school beach where we had a relaxing float around South Pacific Style. We played with coconuts in their various stages, even a little coconut baseball. I feel I'm thinking clearer. I don't know if it’s the South Pacific or what, but I like where I'm at right now. I can't believe that its Christmas time. I keep listening to my Christmas carols to keep myself in the spirit. It will be interesting to observe a Kiwi Christmas next week. It was amazing yet again floating around in the South Pacific. It is such a mythical destination that conjures up all sorts of images and to actually be here is amazing. It is now Monday morning and my friend has gone off to meet the new Peace Corps volunteers and gather ... read more

Well, I think I'm a little burnt out on travel. I just don't care about getting out and seeing things anymore. We missed the bank today and as a result we have roughly $20 between the two of us for the weekend. I guess a little belt tightening will be in order. It's a little strange that my southern hemisphere adventure is winding to a close, but I'm not sure I would want to go back next year especially when I think of what might have been. The whole Noosa situation just crept on me. It was almost instantaneous and I can't believe I'm still thinking about it now. I'm just tired of being on the road. I can almost see the end and I am trying to fight off going into "counting the days" mode. ... read more

The truck ride yesterday was awesome. After saying our goodbyes in Metandis we rode back to Matevulu in the back of a pick-up with four Ni-Van locals. We were in the highland rainforest weaving in and out with each bend of the dirt road. It was raining. The palm forests were magical. And then all of a sudden I slipped into this higher plane type of consciousness. I was hearing Melanesian music loud and clear in my mind and my heart was soaring. It really felt like a spiritual transcendence. It was amazing. On the way the truck stopped along the side of the road and the driver bought us some bananas. My friend and I were talking tonight about how special yesterday was. It was indescribable, just the feeling of pure joy playing with those ... read more

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