Day 5 Vanuatu - Our introduction to fireworks.

Everything was blissfully quiet the morning after the earthquake when we all woke up.

Age was still exhausted and slept till past ten, grumbled as his eyes opened and promptly went back to sleep. 

I was thankful I'd packed a bunch of craft and art supplies for the kids to keep active with. They were really good at staying quiet while we slept and getting their own breaky. 

This mornings craft was spent digging away at a block of plaster of paris which promised glow in the dark dinosaur bones. It made a huge mess and produced a few slivers after about half an hour of hard slog. The kids got a bit jack of it, the heat and the flies. I don’t blame them, I was sick of it after a few mins of scoring and digging at it.  My romantic idea of being a archeologist was finally dashed at that moment…

With Adrian still not well and very tired, we decided to go off for the day and wander around the streets and port. The kids were pretty set on seeing what was open and to play on the parks there.

I’d been amazed at the selection and availability of fireworks around. Here in Aust they are banned and only the older ones of us can remember firecracker night.  It seemed every corner store had a display of them outside, as well as any bloke who had a spare set of stairs to prop them up on. So, what does a fine upstanding, sensible mother do when faced with a load of really cheap fireworks with no instructions in English?  Thats right - she goes and buys a bunch.  Well, to say there was no English my be a bit unfair.  Each one had a picture of where to light it or ignite it and the words - “light and run.”

We wandered about town, knowing that most places would be closed, but delighted in the tiny spots where still attracted people. I know I am going to sound really dumb and culturally insensitive here - but there were heaps of people, just sitting around. On stairs, on the street and in the gutters. just accumulated and sitting.  What the heck where they waiting for?  In one spot we found some live music but after a while decided that Vanuatuan music was a little off beat for us.  They certainly had a lot of joy and energy in their exuberant displays of musicianship.  I guess my ears weren’t in tune with them though.  We found a little cafe and on our mission to have fish and chips - found. yep - no fish.. however they did have chips so we ate local yam fries. They are super starchy and sweet.

We found the juice bar down on the docks and while the kids ate ice cream, I had a coffee, discovering that it had free wi fi. It was pretty slow and timed out alot, so I stopped getting excited about it. I did  load up a few photos from Christmas onto facebook, but quickly dismissed the idea of coming here often as it was a good 3 km walk to our place - one way We played connect four on a set that kept dumping all the disks - but made us laugh anyway. It rained spiratically but you kind of get used to the jeckle and hyde nature of the weather where is stinking hot then suddenly pouring with rain. 

We got home to discover Age had gone off exploring by himself for the afternoon and had only just arrived himself.  Morgan proudly displayed all the fireworks we bought and set about telling all the other occupants in the complex about our fireworks display to night.

In inky darkness, we set all the fireworks up along the jetty. The kids loved the small bangers which exploded when you threw them on the ground.  My personal favourite ones were the cherry bombs which you lit and threw into the water.  They exploded from a depth of a few feet, lighting up the watery surrounds.  Boy they were loud if they didn’t reach the water though!  Age set up some fountains at the end of the jetty, which showered silvery spurts into the sky.  

Our finale was a rocket which was stuck into the sand and lit - and everyone ran and hid ( just as the instructions said) It shot off with a huge sizzle and exploded colours into the night sky.  So awesome!  hummm.. might have to buy some more tomorrow!

There were some other young folk there who were equally impressed and promised to take it in turns each night to provide the fireworks.. what fun!

Earthquake

I certainly was enjoying all the extra time sleeping. I can’t recall the last time I had more than 6 hours!  But all good things come to an end they say. Christmas evening - a few hours after everyone had gone to sleep, I woke, feeling pretty ordinary. I blamed having eaten half a cow at lunch time.  A bit of a rude shock for all of our bodies after being vegan for most of the year. I felt feverish suddenly so piled two blankets on top of me while everyone sweltered with the aircon on. The romantic in me says that I felt the disturbance in the earths energy. Its more probable that it was my lunch telling me I was a pig and was now feeling the effects of my overindulgence.

I got up again, uneasy and checked if the kids were ok, then got a drink and went back to bed. I tossed and turned and stared at the dark ceiling, wondering if I was doomed to stare at it for hours till the sun came up. 

Then bed started to shake; not just a little - but violently. At first, I thought Age was having a major seizure. However, I put my hands on him and found he was blissfully snoring on. The bed continued to shake and I started to wonder if I was in a scene of the poltergeist. and then everything stopped.  

I heard dogs howling and knew then it was an earthquake. I got out of bed to check onthe kids and then went outside. Others within the complex were also searching the inky darkness and chatting excitedly.  Further down the street I heard shouting and cars began to beep their horns. 

There didn’t seem to be any damage or anything to do, and given my whole family were still snoring away, I went back to bed and fell quickly asleep.

Later the next morning I found out that it had been a 7.7 with some disturbance with the water levels. However, watching the beach, there didn't seem to be much difference. Perhaps the high tide was larger.  We were warned not to go into the water for the rest of the day; so given that, we planned for a quiet day.

Christmas Day in Vanuatu

The kids had written to Santa and told him that they would not be at home for Christmas and to please leave all their presents under the tree for them when they get back.  He did, however make a stop in at our place and from all appearances, only had one reindeer with him on this rushed trip. The kids were delighted with the chocolate coins and candy canes strewn around the room, as well as the craft and tiny presents on the end of their beds.

We luxuriated in not having to get up and do anything - but decided after a  leisurely breakfast of fruit smoothies and good coffee, that we would go snorkelling and lay about the pool area of Iriki Island. 

I’ll put a note in here about our fruit smoothies. I took along an enormous bag - but in my defence would like ot point out that under half of it was my clothes. The rest was kitchen equipment and food items which would help us maintain a healthy food intake. I am in love with our mini blender we took.  four cups sized blending things which you fill with fruit and stuff , screw on the blades and tip it upside down to pop on the blender.  I have to admit we also used it extensively to make frozen cocktails. 

Anyway - we walked into town and fronted up to the jetty for a quick trip by boat to the island. For a fee, you are allowed to use all their facilities and are granted a voucher to use in the restaurants.  It is pretty pricey - so not something you do every day - around $15 per person.

We were delighted to be greeted by Santa ( who was black - but had a snow white beard) on a truck. He threw lollies at the kids and waved to us as the truck set off around the island. On the back were seated a dozen angels - kids from the school - all singing carols in English ( possibly their fourth language) Surreal… yes.

We fumbled our way around the roads and went to the snorkelling spot. So glad we had our reef shoes as the coral and rocks were pointed and cruel. Morgan and Lilly hadn’t done alot of snorkelling - but were confident swimmers and caught on fairly quickly. Like me, they lost all fear once their heads were stuck under and were marvelling at the sealife. Fantastic coral and large fish swum only metres from the shoreline.  There was hardly any drift - so made it safe for us to explore a huge chunk of the coast. When the tide went out so far it started to make it dangerous for us to look at the coral ( as we floated over our tummies were touching parts of it.)  we decided to seek out something to eat.

Wet, bedraggled and touched with sun, we wandered into a very flash beachside restaurant.  I announced to the family I didn’t care how much it cost - we were eating Chrissy dinner there. So with thoughts of some of the most dreadful days I’d spent teaching as a reward we sat down ( squished down in plush chairs) and or eyes widened at the array of gorgeous food on offer. ( and I know it was a flash lace because the matre di did not lift an eyebrow as we walked in - but showed us to a good spot and brought extra cushions to soak up the sea water...

It truly was a magnificent feast and we enjoyed it immensely. I am not going to say how much it was - but let me say - possibly the most expensive buffet I have ever been to.

Sated, with crappy tissue paper hats on our heads, we left to hang out at the dozen pools.  I secured a lounge and kicked back to read a rubbish vampire book. ( it was particularly bad.. all is forgiven Stephanie!) The kids had a hoot exploring the pools - some shallow and meant for little ones, others swim up bar type ones.  We basically had the place to ourselves. 

When we got sick of that, we headed off to another beach on the other side of the island to where we had been and went snorkelling again. I’d have to say that was much better than the official snorkelling site and much easier to access.  It was straight off the coral beach (no sand here - just crushed coral) it was fairly shallow in most places which made the kids a bit more comfortable.  However there were stone fish and those spiky things with poison in the spines - so we needed to be careful where we put our feet. One of the highlights here was seeing the little nemo fish and how territorial they were.  One even attacked Adrian as he got too close to their home.

Completely soaked through now - and sick of anything water based, we went home; catching a taxi to get up the enormous hill. I know there are the local buses, but as yet, have not been able to get the attention of one.  ( they are local people in vans who drive around. You have to wave at them and they will stop.  You tap on the door when you want to be let out and then give them what you think is fair as a fare.)

We were satisfied with a cuppa and some gorgeous pineapple for dinner.  Later on we walked down to our Jetty and sat in the semi darkness on the water, taking in the stars and inky darkness of the water.  We were treated by a myriad of fireworks as locals along the bay let off thier contributions to celebrate Christmas.  The loud banging and noise continued throughout the night - but we all turned in fairly early - exhausted from the day (and the big meal!)