HOME ALL JOURNALS | |
TANNA ISLAND, Vanuatu (con't) |
THE VOLCANO
September 10, 2004 Donna and I did laundry on the beach in boiling hot pools coming out of the rocks caused by the nearby volcano. The thermal springs were so hot that one of the locals was cooking cassava! The water was actually too hot and made the laundry chore a difficult one but it was sort of fun. | |||
I definitely would not want to be a Vanuatan woman and do laundry like that all the time. | Cooking cassava for lunch | ||
Natures Fireworks That evening we took a trip up to the mouth of the volcano and it was an experience I will never forget. After another jarring ride in the truck, our guide (left with Gord) took us for a hike up to a ridge above the crater where chunks of lava littered the stark moonscape. We sat in the darkness and watched the molten lava burp and rumble, building up to spectacular blows that outperformed any fireworks show I have ever seen. |
FIREWALKING We were invited to a neighboring village who wanted to put on some demonstrations for us that included bow and arrow shooting, weaving, "magic" and firewalking. Our guide, David, took us through several villages enroute to the location that was set up for our activities. | |||
Local schoolteacher | Traditional village homes | Village children playing ball | Axel gets lost in the Banyan Tree |
Traditional Customs We were given a warm welcome and presented with lays made from fresh flowers. Some curious boys watch us like we are the entertainment! The whole gang is pictured here. |
Bow and Arrow Competition |
Success!!! Gord hits the target. Richard is a near miss so both get the prize.... TOMATOES! | Basket Weaving Next we are taught how to weave a basket. It's much harder than it looks but the locals can knit a basket up in seconds. |
Carving David showed us one of the projects he was working on, a large carving with sea creatures...turtles, eels, dolphin and the like. He uses the breadfruit tree for his wood. It was a beautiful piece of art and I would have loved to have been able to cart it home! |
Magic The next demonstration was to show us how the locals can carry injured people out of the bush. First they carefully stack Kava leaves alternately. Then a boy was placed on the pile and they lifted him up just holding onto the stems of the leaves.
|
Firewalking The fire is started in preparation for the Firewalking. We all waited in anticipation for the coals to get hot. | |||
Port Resolution Yacht Club That evening, we all headed to the Port Resolution Yacht Club for a Potluck Supper. We landed the dinghies on the beach where several outrigger canoes were. We were amazed at the construction...no nails anywhere, everything tied together with twine or vines. | |||
The Yacht Club was a rustic open air building surrounded by heavy chain from a shipwrecked tug. It afforded a great view of the anchorage. No outboards here... the outriggers are the only boats used for transportation and fishing | |||
All the boats in the anchorage joined in for a Potluck Dinner Later Richard and Gord had a jam session, playing guitars and singing.
| |||
Sept 12, 2004 We found the local store and I traded some school supplies for a basket and papaya. | |||
Sept
13
NEXT>>>>EFATE ISLAND, VANUATU |