John and Jamie return to Canada

Recently our next door neighbours (John and Jamie)completed their journey in Vanuatu and returned to Canada. They have been our neighbours for most of the year and we have visited many places together. Both speak many languages but at times struggled learning Australian. They have also worked in many varied places around the world including Jordan and Eritrea but were looking forward to returning to the cooler weather of Canada. They live in one of our favourite places in the world, Banff, and we will visit them in the years ahead. Good luck guys and please keep trying to learn that very difficult language they call australian!!!

Another Student Graduation

In May another group of students graduated at the Nutrition Centre and this was the first group that Shirley had completed. It had been a most enjoyable semester with Jacquie, Leiwasei and Shirley combining together and forming a great team. It was also a very special time for Jacquie as shortly afterwards she would leave Wan Smol Bag and return to Australia for a short period. The time at the Nutrition Centre had been tiring but rewarding and now it was time for a new person with different skills to take the reins. Good luck everybody and thanks for all your help.

Happy Birthday Zoe

Shortly before returning home to Canada our little friend Zoe celebrated her 5th birthday with a small party. The food was unlike any other party we had been to and besides the lollies and fairy bread was actually healthy. Zoe had been wonderful when Tamasin and Leila visited last October and had since become a frequent visitor to our front door. We miss her visits and hope all is well back in Montreal.

Aore resort

After the conference we headed off to Aore resort located only 20 minutes away by boat. Our intention was for some private time in a peaceful and quiet environment. We obviously forgot to tell the bloke upstairs and he greeted us with a massive earthquake. The official reading was 6.3 but we will both tell you that our little fare' shook the living daylights out of the two of us. Once we relaxed we had another brilliant time at a perfect location that only Vanuatu can continually deliver. We even got to moor our boat out the front.......

AVI conference in Santo

AVI held their two yearly conference in Santo in April. All the volunteers from Vanuatu and Solomon Islands met and exchanged ideas for three days. Everyone was really happy to be at at decent motel particularly the guys from the Sols who had just endured 72 earthquakes in one week and also a tsunamai. We all thought the best we could do was share some jokes and one or two drinks. Many of the people found time to dive the Coolidge and visit the local hotspots. For us, we thought we had seen enough of Santo in the recent months and were looking forward to some quiet time at Aore resort later in the week.

Farewell Gail

In February, Gail Luck (blue dress) one of our original AVI crew, finished her assignment and headed back to Australia. Gail had commenced her journey with us and had been doing similar work to Jacquie in Santo. Her work had been completed early and she was returning to a new home on the Gold Coast. Peter, her husband (bottom right)was looking forward to the challenge of new golf courses and the return of his bride. She will be missed here in Vanuatu but at least she got to meet a real live Prince (we think). Good luck (no pun intended) and enjoy your new home.

Back to work and living in Santo

Work in the early days in Santo was done from my motel room because there was no power in the office. The Unity Park motel was comfortable with a lovely view over Unity Park (hence the motel name). Bathroom facilities were shared but at least the motel was only 50 yards from work. The first task was to verify passbooks from members joining from another savings scheme. This was always going to be really boring so a bed close by could be handy. The security at the local ANZ bank was a concern. The photo shows that someone had stolen the security lock from the door. Interesting times ahead...........

The Family Brains or (Folks are dumb where I come from)

After our kayak Jacquie decided to be tested by our guide on her ability to watch, listen and learn. They say a picture paints a thousand words so there must be a large book on this one. For what seemed like hours, Jacquie tried to solve the puzzle given to her and despite lots and lots of help darkness was quickly approaching and we departed for home with the puzzle unsolved.

Kayaking the Malo river

While at Bokissa we went kayaking up Malo river. In reality Jacquie sat in the front and issued instructions on speed(lack of) and changes of direction required to miss trees, bridges etc.......I so enjoy being part of a team!!!!
The river and scenery was absolutely gorgeous and our guide even jumped out of his kayak and caught a fish in his bare hands. Wouldn't it be nice to be young, agile and fit!!! Just another amazing adventure in Vanuatu.

Beautiful Bokissa

Another brilliant place was the island of Bokissa. The resort is the most upmarket in Vanuatu and only caters for small numbers. Unfortunately while we were there they had riots in Vila and it meant Jacquie had to remain for a few extra days. It was extreme hardship but she is always prepared to put her self out for the greater cause. Riots or resort, it wasn't a hard choice even for Jacquie.

Port Olry

During our initial visit to Santo we visited some of the provincial areas in the north eastern part of the island. One village was called Port Olry and had been established by missionaries many years ago. The area was simply breathtaking and one of those many areas that could be described as "heaven on earth". If we ever go missing this might be an area to check.

Santo Project

The major project for Paul in Vanuatu was to establish an office on the island of Espiritu Santo. Eventually after seven months in the country we visited Santo in late January. The main street is nice and wide like a country town, the maps are very informative and we were offered a nice little office centraklly located near the markets with Unity park opposite. The inside of the building was full of handicrafts and the outside complete with rust,mould and holes. The challenge had been issued!!!!!

No Mo and Mum revisit Mosso

We revisited Mosso with our counterparts recently to give them some help with nutrition and micro finance and we again had a wonderful time. The people are always friendly and listen to everything you say. Even the kids and chooks came to find out what the funny man with no lip was saying.

Watch out Hideaway, here they come!

One of the trips we had when the kids were here was a trip to Hideaway island. Just about everyone we knew ended up at the island and the trip home was interesting. I bet you can't travel like this in Australia!!! We even came across the owners of Sandalwood apartments. Judy swimming and Stuart having a siesta after a big night. Nice pants Stuey.

Good One Chippy

What would any holiday be like if there wasn't some drama?? In our case it was the baby, " Jess". Out on the town, out of control and out to consume all the alcohol in Vanuatu. Consumed by alcohol and attempting to dance. One wrong move and she face plants the floor. Large hole in the floor, small chip to the front tooth and loss of dignity in another country. No wonder she is planning on heading to Europe or Canada this year.

Le Rendevous

All good things come to an end and Rebecca and Ryan returned to australia in mid January. To celebrate their trip and also to wish Bec an early happy birthday we all went for a superb dinner at Le Rendevous restaurant. The food was great, cocktails good and the company awesome. We even managed a drink for the champ. Happy Birthday and a safe trip home.

Happy Birchday Bigfella

The bigfella had his birthday and Jessica flew all the way from Sydney to say she forgot my present. The champ and horses decided it was a good reason to have a drink and Jacquie decided to shave my hair off to try and cover any of the baldspots. 47 and still kicking is wonderful but to be undefeated in golf challenges with "the champ" for over one year is amazing. By the way late birthday presents are still being accepted via PO Box 942

Golf Spectacular

Early in 2007 we all decided to play golf and see if we could actually play any better than previous years. We walked to the lush tropical resort course Le Lagon International and got ready to show our skills. The boys were dissapointed we had to actually walk but eventually stopped their wingeing. Grandad would have been extremely proud, Tiger scared and The Champ showed why he is the MAN. Awards for the day, Channel ten Sports Award- Rebeccca, Best Butt award- Jacquie, I still can't play award - Horses

Snorkelling on the Neptune

When the kids arrived we decided to go snorkelling and show them the harbour. We parked(berthed or moored) our boats and jumped on the Neptune for a day of fun and excitement. The day was meant to be free for volunteers and half price for family members. Somewhere in the translation it changed to nearly full price for everyone so we have booked more bislama lessons to avoid future bankruptcy. We even spotted a "moose fish" or was that a "goose fish"

And they continue to have'em

Some Mothers do hav'em

Sorry there have been no blogs for a while but we have been under enormous pressure with the boys from down under coming over for a visit. Look at the photos and ask yourself the question "why do we ever have children":