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...

Newsflash

A miracle has occurred. I got into the shower and there was actual hot water! At one point it was so hot I actually had to turn it down.

Trapped!!!

We are at Blue Lagoon. It is lovely. We have been jumping from ledges and swinging on vines (including me – eek!) However there is no way to get out of here, and there is no food. We are now sitting around waiting for Harvey and Ben to bring some lunch (from a while away). Ashleigh is playing sudoku. Many of the rest of us are eating from the coconuts that Adam has just hunter/gathered for us. He has just brought a pawpaw for us. Harv and Ben are now back. We are eating scotch finger biscuits and papaya and rolls with peanut butter. It's all feeling a bit “survivor” at the moment; it's also feeling just a bit “Lord of the Flies”, Adam is being a bit possessive with his coconut opening. He just said “I have sustained me and my tribe”, and he has just put some warpaint (dirt) on his face Hmm...

OK so what brings us to this point.

Yesterday we had a bit of a touristy day. I didn't sleep very well, and after my coffee we took a bus up the hill to the museum. So if that sounds a bit lazy, I should tell you that a few of the group had woken up early to go and listen to some of the kids at the school read. I did it this morning. The most noticeable thing for me was the range of reading skills. Some kids read so fast and so well that you didn't even have time to put all the ticks on the page. Some kids stopped at almost every word. It was great to be able to read with them. Nerida and Kaye have been working pretty closely with the teachers. Kaye is impressed that the teachers who came over to visit us in Castle Hill have taken the skills they learnt and put a Vanuatu “twist” on them. A few members of the group taught the kids some games yesterday.

Adam has just kicked a seed nest into a tree and unearthed a nest of fire ants. I hope I do not have to move soon. Harvey, Kaye, Nerida and David are over lying down on a grassy area, and Ben, Jono and Adam have just headed down the lagoon.

We saw the museum yesterday in the late morning. There are some cool headdresses there, and the sand drawing was lovely and decorative. There is a hanging set of bamboo tubes which are tuned like a piano. I tried out my favorite piano piece from my recent grade one exam, and the Star Wars theme. Ben (my piano teacher) had a far larger repertoire. All in all, I remember the place being better last time, although a rather seedy story involving Chief Rota and Kava was still there and as creepy as last time.

Last night we visited the cell groups that we ate with on Sunday. As expected it was a highlight. We went to Luli. They live very simply. The houses are put together using materials found around. So this ranges from Bessa Blocks to panels of corrugated iron. There was a lovely fire smell and we sang some songs – some lovely simple ones, and there was a devotion (in Bislama). Thomas and I were asked to say a bit of a word from Australia – so I was saying some things about how warmly welcomed we felt and how we were glad the weather had been good. It was a really nice night. At the end of the night we exchanged email addresses with some of the cell group, and I wrote down the guitar chords to one of the easier hymns there was to sing. Here's the words.

Jesus is the sweetest name I know

And he's just the same

Praise his holy name

That's the reason why I love him so

Jesus is the sweetest name I know...

Jesus, praisem Jesus

I love thy name

I love thy name

Oh Jesus, praisem Jesus

There is no other name I know.

(Footnote 17th July - Since I typed this song, Ben pointed out that everyone else was actually singing "Jesus, Blessed, Jesus" - and I also checked with the guitar player from Luli - so yeah ... my apologies... sounded right at the time...)

After we left there we headed back to the hotel. Ashleigh & Nerida, Nami and Kaye had all been gifted with some of the dresses that the ladies wear here. Especially on Sundays. They are lovely cool, reasonably oversized dresses, with somewhat inexplicable extra material hanging off the sides. I am a little jealous, but none of them were purple so I will cope. I was impressed with the gift they gave us though. As we were getting ready to leave, a kid was sent up a tree to get some grapefruit for us. Watching on with some trepidation, I was amazed at how he got around the tree. I had some grapefruit for breakfast this morning. Yummo.

So … this morning Ashleigh and I went for a coffee. It was a bit overcast. After we'd finished we headed up the hill and did the reading with the kids, and then headed back to the hotel to get ready to swim. This place has been recommended by many of the tourists we had come across, and it is beautiful. It's about half an hour away from Port Vila on some very good road – if memory serves (and I might just check my 09 blog) it is a donation from the Americans. It was just a little unexpected that there would be no place to eat here. I was so optimistic I even brought my power cable for my laptop.

Some of us are starting to count down now. Sometimes saying “76 hours to go” as if being home is the best thing in the world. Some saying “only 75 hours to go”, particularly when something goes well. I take the view that “this trip will be just long enough”. Anyway... I think I want to head back into the water, so that's enough for now. TTFN.

Ok – back on the bus now. Thought I might take this opportunity to straw poll the team on the trip so far.

What is the most essential item you've brought on the trip?

Ashleigh: Aeroguard

David: Water

Ashleigh: Actually – food

Ali: Toss up between the food and the hand sanitiser

Ashleigh: Thongs

Nerida: Undies and bubbles

Kaye: My camera!

Me: Conditioner

Thomas: Sunscreen

Jono: Camera

Adam: Clothes

Nami: Malaria medicine and camera

Best value for money thing you've had?

Ashleigh: 45 Vatu iceblock

Nerida: playing with the kids

Me: Coconut (drink and food)

Jono: Snorkelling

Adam: Stupid beanie hat, and coconut

Nerida: watching the sunset

Nami: Getting the postcards & coffee with Katherine

Me: Oh, and coffee

Thomas: cheap ice creams

David: Hideaway Island

Favourite activity?

Ashleigh: Hideaway Island Beach & Rope swing today

Nami: Cell group

Ali: Hideaway Island Snorkelling

Kaye: Hanging at the school

Me: Chatting to the kids about what they are getting out of the trip.

Okie dokie – everyone fell asleep after a while, so that was a bit difficult. But anyway we are back now, a great day. Off to Elder Johnny's for dinner tonight. Should be a good night :)

Chocolate.....

Today was probably the most relaxed day on the trip so far. I didn't emerge from bed until after 9:15 .... once i got up we didnt leave for another hour to go up to the vanuatu history museum, once we arrived we waited for some of the others to join us from the school. In our waiting time adam decided to pretend he was in a music video clip and start singing songs randomly and climbing and jumping off things.... soon enough everyone was joining in singing "lean on me". After this song and several others the others arrived and we went into the museum.

The museum was defiantly not something i would bother to return to if i were to visit vanuatu again... although the sand drawings were amazing to watch being created. And ben had a lovely time on this piano pipe like instrument. For lunch a group of us went to a resort near the church... most of the group enjoyed tapus whilst as always i enjoyed my vanuatu favorite - Hot chips. haha.

After lunch we visited the markets and i was able to start my shopping for everyone back at home. Although at the markets you worry about what wood and shells etc you will be able to get back through customs. I do still need to buy more gifts to take back for my family and friends though, hopefully ill have the opportunity tomorrow.

Tonight was incredible, we split off into pairs and joined in with cell groups from the church where we were invited into their homes. In cell group they say songs and prayed and ate. I was with Dave and we asked them alot of questions about their church and traditions such as baptism and communion. We also talked with them about how things are in australia compared to life over here ... i think they were shocked when i said i often work on a sunday as they take that whole day off...  even the shops are closed here! They gave dave and i lots of fruit to try and they convinced me into trying this fruit that is like a coco that they use to make chocolate ... after trying it im more confused than ever as to how something that tastes that terrible could make something as delicious as chocolate! Although dave and the group all loved seeing my face when i tried this unusual fruit . haha i think i shall stick to normal chocolate from now on!

6 days down. 4 to go!

Painting & Non-Laxatives

We are just getting ready to head off to the Anchor Bar in order to have dinner and watch the state of origin.  I am dressed in the closest thing I have in my wardrobe to the colour maroon. ;)

Woke up bright and early to the sounds of cars going past our bedroom window and noises from the market across the road.  At least I didn't have to have another cold shower this morning because I knew that my cleanliness would not last long.  A little bit of incentive to get moving though was from the discussion the night before that the first 4 who were ready would get to catch a bus to school along with all our donations to the school.  We had games, and balls, and clothes.  There was quite a lot... I did prioritise a coffee, but I managed to get fourth in line.  Phew.

Once we arrived at church we got moving pretty quickly.  We opened a new paint tin, we got another ladder.  Harvey took on the role of foreman, and we had about 15 young men from the church turn up and paint, and many of them took the jobs on the ladders so that was a bit of a relief.  Apart from it being a little bit hot, we had quite a quick painting session.  Managed to finish the undercoat on the front and side.  Looks great!  We were finished by about 11.

Hmm ... what was everyone else doing.  Well David and Ben finished off the computer room, getting the extra power boards and tidying up all the cabling.  Once that was finished a lot of young children crammed into the room, getting acquianted with programs like "paint" and "solitaire".  We were impressed to see how enthusisastic everyone was - although it was a big challenge explaining how to use a mouse to someone.  "Click" and "Move" were my starting words.

There is a man from Australia who is helping out at the church, his name is David.  I sat in on an English lesson he gave to the kids.  It was lovely to see them sounding out the words.  One of the Wesley team members who was sitting with me, turned to me at one point and said "I didn't know that was how you spelt yacht".  So yeah ... the kids are being taught very well :)

Our lunch was of bagettes and assorted toppings - Peanut Butter and banana is a WINNER!  We also tried a fruit called "corossol", which I had tried yesterday.  Such an unusual flavour and texture.  A bit like mango, a bit like pineapple, a bit like chewing gum.  I was delighted to see it did not have the laxative effect I had originally anticipated it would - but it certainly has a lot of fibre.  Too much information?

After lunch was sports time for the kids at the school.  I learnt where the sports fields are, and some of the kids were up the trees.  That didn't seem to go for very long, and we came back to the hotel.  I have had a sleep.  Anyway.  Better go.  Go maroons!!!!

Hideaway Island

Today we took the day off from visiting the church and helping out ... we all felt it was well time for a beach day.

The day started with a lovely sleep-in and we met at ten o'clock and caught a bus from just outside where we are staying.... i was amazed that we fit all 12 of us plus the driver in one minivan! We enjoyed the views as we traveled to Hideaway Island. The beach was beautiful and you can see photos of it on facebook. To my surprise the beaches here have very little sand and there was coral where sand would be on an Aussie beach. Apart from the lack of sand, it was amazing because we were swimming among the fish, and they would swim so close and not be scared away by people.

We all had a go at snorkeling whilst we were at the beach ... for some of us including myself this was the first time, and was truly incredible!

Also at Hideaway island there is the worlds only underwater post office which we all had turns to stand on top of it. Later in the day some of the group (Jono, Adam, Ash, Dave, Nika, Harv, Kaye, and Tom) went on a snorkeling tour of the reef, Whilst myself, Ben, Katherine and Nami stayed on the beach, and had some lovely drinks and lunch before going back to do some more swimming.

After we returned most of the group headed down to the markets then headed out to Vietnamese for dinner whilst some stayed back and cooked food for dinner.

A good day, 4 days down, 6 to go!

Nectar of the Gods

Another magnificent day.  Not quite as hot today, still pretty hot ... and had a nice breeze in the afternoon - I think we were all grateful.

So today was our first day of "work" in Vanuatu.  Yesterday we discovered that the classroom that we were to put the computers in had no desks, so Harvey and David went early to the hardware store early to get some wood in order to make desks.  We borrowed a sander, and a drill, and at the end of the day we have some magificent desks, with computers on them, and all but one of the computers survived the trip.  Harvey was just mentioning how good it was that everything worked today, the equipment we had survived the heat, we had enough wood - at one point they were putting legs on the desks, and ran out of wood - they looked up into the roof and there was a piece of wood almost exactly the right length.  Yay God! 

Unfortunately the keybords for the computers are currently MIA which is disapointing.  But it was interesting to watch the kids just learning how to use a mouse - we had a bunch of them playing solitaire in the room at the end of the day.  Daniel, the principal, is very happy what we've been able to achieve and he told us how excited the kids will be to be able to try them out.

We woke up bright and early in order to get to the school on time.  I went to get another coffee (take away this time) and the market had opened.  For 100 Vatu (about 1 dollar) Harvey had found a bunch of passionfruit.  The first one I had was a little tart, but amazingly fresh.  The second I had was a little sweeter.  Harv called it "Nectar of the Gods".

We walked up the hill to the church.  There is a long set of stairs to get on to the plateau.  I find that I like to turn around on the set of stairs and and take a look at the view, which is breathtaking, but not quite as "breathtaking" as the walk up the stairs itself.  Most others seem to cope pretty well with it, and I cope well enough that I am only slightly tempted to spend a buck-fifty on a bus.

We arrived roughly on 8am - and the teachers amongst us headed into the classrooms where kids broke into hearty rounds of the Vanuatu Anthem, If you're happy and you know it, and My God is so Big.  Harv and David arrived in a ute with the rest of the boxes, and we set to work unpacking them, and cutting up the wood for the benches.

I went to start us on painting of the church but it turned out there were a few hurdles to doing that.  We had to get the key, and we had to get the paint itself open.  Harvey ended up having to hammer it open.  We then started painting.  The paint was quite thick, and we started slapping it on.  we figured out a bit later that we could water it down a bit and it would slap on a bit easier, but the team got together and went really well.  Nami went up top on the ladder, I alternated between standing, sitting on a chair, and standing on a chair.  And others did similar.  We managed to get two panels of the church done, and they look really great!  I was particularly proud of my ingenuity in drinking a lot of my water and then cutting the top off to make a paint can.  I have never used a hacksaw on a water bottle before, and I can tell you that it works ok.  I bet you needed to know that :)

As we got a bit bored while painting we started doing some extra things to keep ourselves entertained.  Like singing.  I ran out of Aussie tunes pretty quick.  We did a bit of bohemian rhapsody, and even a little Katy Perry.  I need to google some more lyrics for tomorrow.  Any suggestions please!!!

Nerida and Kaye wandered down to the market and got us some lunch.  For 100 vatu they got a hand of bananas - really little ones which tasted lovely and sweet.  I think I ate three.  Also some cucumber, which I had on a bagette with some peanut butter.  Very satisfying.

We had fun playing with the kids too.  I wasn't quite as good at the scissors/paper/rock game as yesterday, but still had fun (and I think they liked our singing).  Adam and Jono continue to make relationships with some of the young boys there - and to be honest the fun I see them havihg is exactly - exactly what I was hoping we would be doing.  I keep remembering the story of Martha and Mary in the bible.  With ... Mary I think it was, sitting with Jesus, having a chat, and Martha in the kitchen getting narky.  I have had the "you guys gotta do more work" thing in my head a few times, but I turn it around almost straight away, I only hope that we all get to have a balance of our Martha and Mary time. 
This afternoon Adam and Jono went down the back of the church and the boys cooked them some sweet potato and fruit in a fire that they built.  They played soccer next to the church.  It was pretty fun to watch them play together.

Not everyone is coping with Vanuatu time, but some are growing to love it.  Tomorrow we are heading to the beach, and I'm really looking forward to a nice relaxing day.  Although I think I will be happy to get back to the church on Wednesday and teach the kids some computering, and do some more painting.

Adam has just demonstrated some self torture by eating a very hot chilli in front of us.  This is exactly what I was worried about since ... well let's face it ... a while now. I guess with the excellent relationship building and willingness to try new things, you also get the extremely bizarre chilli eating behaviour.  Umm ... and on that note, I'm calling it a night.  REALLY need a shower.