Port Vila Airport to our Hostel. We couldn't find the Hostel straight away,
so the Taxi driver was suggesting to stay with him and his family. Sweet sweet
man. In the end we found it though. We arrived in the middle of the night,
to wake up to a beautiful view the next morning.
 |
| Not our Hostel, but still in Port Vila. Unfortunately Port Vila itself is ugly as it can be, but the nature is just breathtaking. |
We stayed in Port Vila for a few days to figure out how to go to Tanna. One of
the most traditional Islands in Vanuatu. Originally we were planning to go by boat.
But as we started to ask around, people recommended us very emphatic not to go
by boat. Apparently it's a 14 hour trip in the bottom of a dodgy cargo ship, without
windows but obnoxious smell. So we took the plane.
 |
| 20 seats. |
We just went more or less planless, putting our lives in the Hands of God.
We arrived at an Airport, literally in the middle of the bush, with, at least for us
at that point seemingly no public transport or any transport at all. Not knowing
what to do, we were standing around for half a minute, when out of nowhere
a friendly face appeared, greeting us, telling us he as been waiting for us. We will
stay with him and his family. As it turned out, some friends in Port Vila arranged
everything for us, without us even knowing.
 |
| Family through and through. |
We stayed with our new family for pretty much two weeks. They showered us with
love and generosity. We on the other hand have never felt more out of place and helpless
then ever before. Not knowing the most basic things, like what or where the toilets are,
how people shower, where to get water, food and so on, just leaves you in a complete state
of vulnerability. A priceless lesson. You have to ask for everything, you can't take
anything for granted.
The next two weeks consisted of an overload of new impressions, be it the food, which
was so simple but so delicious (mainly vegetables similar to potatoes cooked in coconut
milk, corn and lots and lots of fruits), the beauty, depth and simplicity of life, the
daily routine or just the language. Most people speak traditional tongue, but a lot of them
also speak english, french or at least bislama.
 |
| eating laplap |
Food we ate: fish, shark, shells, chicken, laplap, pineapple, watermelon, mangos,
passion fruits, papaya (bobo), sweet potatoes (kumala), cat, taro, rice, bananas,
bread with coconut jam, and of course coconuts...
Luckily we got the chance to climb Mt. Yasur, the volcano on the island.
It's one of the most accessible active volcanos on the planet. Never in my life was
I so impressed and in awe by the power of nature. When standing on the rim of
the volcano, hearing the lava soaring underneath, all the great stories of sleeping
dragons and of course Frodo, popped into my mind. I did not understand what they
all went through up until then.
The day we went, the volcano was too active to go up to the very rim, to look down
into the lava. It would erupt every few minutes spitting stones and ash and big smoke clouds.
We had to be careful not to get hit by flying lava.
 |
| Climbing the volcano, on this side a big dune of ash. |
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| Peeing my paints. |
Of course there is much more to tell, but really what stood out most, was the sincere
kindness and love of everyone we met. Crime is not really something you will find
on Tanna, everyone knows each other, treads each other like family. The way people
live on Tanna, with their strong sense for community, their respect for nature and their
kind eyes and smiles, is a way that felt more natural, true and real than anything I have
ever experienced. If anyone needs a proof that human beings are created to live in
Unity and Peace, Tanna is that proof. We had the time of our life.
 |
| Lost in paradise. |
Next stop: Melbourne.
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