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.