A must see ...

Yesterday evening at Elder Johnny's was excellent. We walked up the hill to his place. We were there a little bit early, but all was ready for us. Which makes me think that Vanuatu time works both ways – people actually don't work off watches over here. All they have to do is know when sunset is and work roughly off that. Dinner was nice and we sat around and chatted. I learnt that there is indeed a place to anchor a yacht at Paama Island – so I shall plan to sail there at some point. :) There was lots of chat about plans for the church and school. There are lots of groups helping out at Paama Seaside. It was also interesting to chat about what we had learnt on our trip with Elder Johnny – so different to my last trip where we came in with very vague aims. This time we had some idea of what we were coming over for, and for the most part we've achieved it.

Once I was back at the hotel, Nami and I borrowed some cards from Adam and I taught her some of the basics of texas holdem poker. Her poker face was not apparent when she giggled as she got two aces for one hand, but it worked out for her in the long term. I lost 25 vatu!

This morning was a working bee day at the school. It was quite a cool day... the week has been getting gradually cooler – and this day I have actually felt cold at a couple of points. I think we have all appreciated the change. We painted the preschool building, and then some places around the school. David, I and some others tweaked the computer setup so we could put some lining on the tables (I think it was lino?) and put all the cords back nicely. We sat around for a while – had a lovely couple of conversations with Principal Daniel and Elder Johnny about things at the school and understanding a bit more about their future plans. Then it was lunchtime; and what a spread had been put on for us! I particularly loved the gravy in one of the dishes, and Harv could not get over the brilliance of the cabbage. After lunch they gave us all sarongs as gifts and Harvey teared up a bit as he thanked them for their generosity (I wonder whether he will kill me for telling you that... :))

I was most amazed when I received a gift from one of the schoolteachers who visited us at Wesley last year. I was a little horrified that I didn't actually recall that I had given here an electric frypan that I had at my place, but it had made such a difference to her that she felt the need to give me a gift for it. So humbling to know that I have been a part of making that difference.

Daniel walked back to City Lodge with us and helped us get a good deal for a bus out to the Cascades at Mele. The bus driver said they normally get 400 vatu (roughly four dollars AUD), but we got 150 vatu each way. I think you would definitely give a group of twelve a discount if you saw them coming so I don't think the “we gave you a huge discount” line was totally warranted, but still, it was good.

Out at the cascades we paid 1500 vatu to get in and then had to walk about 20 minutes to get to the top. Majestic, amazing, brilliant, were all superlatives that I used in the first 2 minutes once I got to the top and glimpsed their full glory. Wow. This is my tip to you if you go to Port Vila. Go to Paama Seaside and listen to the kids read in the morning, then in the afternoon, go to the Cascades near Mele and climb to the top. Swim. Stand under the torrent of water. Smile. A definite highlight of the trip. My favourite moment was watching the glee on Adam and Jono's faces when they were standing underneath the torrent. Very cool.

Back down the hill and we sat around and drank good coffee and ate chips and icecream. After a very relaxing hour or so we wandered back to where the bus picked us up from.

To my delight the hot water has stayed with us, and I confess that I may have sung at the top of my voice while spending a little too much time under the water. I dressed up this evening and some of the older members of the group headed out to dinner, while the younger ones made a gourmet effort with the microwave at city lodge. I am writing the blog from the common room and it still smells very good in here.

We have just had butterflies and cockroaches and I am about to upload this and then call it an evening. Only two more sleeps to go...