Tassiriki - a visit at the village

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 29 May 2013. Posted in Vanuatu

Another day off and there was another adventure to go. So we decided to visit our village Tassiriki on Moso Island. We prepared our lunch, took the little presents from our customers for the village school with us and off we went. Following the coast line with our dogs we took plenty of pictures and met some fishermen.

In the village we met with Robson, one of our workers. The school and kindergarten is just at the beginning of the village and when those 79 kids saw us coming, everybody stopped and observed us. Then they saw the dogs and became very excited since they haven’t seen so big dogs in their village.

And suddenly we were surrounded by a lot of children. We showed them how to pet Patch and Tanna and both dogs where a bit irritated but really well-behaved. Tanna actually just lay down on the grass and relaxed when countless hands touched him.

Then we met with the principal and gave him our gifts for the school. We wanted to know a bit about their school system and what they would need. Next time when we receive a package of our parents we are going to get some stuff for the school and kindergarten.

At the kindergarten the kids clung to our legs and observed us with their beautiful big eyes. It was a special experience for both sides.

Then Robson showed us around in the village and we met with the nurse and checked out the small clinic. They even did some delivery there but they don’t have the proper sterilization kit so they have to send everything always to Port Vila.

Afterwards Robson took us to the pieces of an old airplane from WWII. Well if he wouldn’t have explained the shattered pieces we probably wouldn’t have recognized it. His grandfather saw it crashing down back than and there are only parts and pieces left.

The chiefs decided to sell some parts of Moso Island and so we went down to the subdivisions - 37 subdivisions, each 1 ha big and about $ 45 000. Some are already sold. Let’s see how this will change the pristine and harmonic island life.

We had a quick lunch at Robson’s place and a nice chat with him and his wife. I even got a present from here – a local dress. Since we still had an hour walk through the jungle we didn’t want to leave to late. The dogs where pretty exhausted and all four of us slept like a log this night.

Pentecost and land diving

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 21 May 2013. Posted in Vanuatu

A couple of years ago we have seen a documentation in Germany about a tribe jumping from high wooden platforms only ivy attached to their legs. Let’s say the original bungee jumping but it is meant for a good harvest and the body is supposed to touch the ground.

When we came to Vanuatu we found out that this tribe is actually living in Pentecost. So we booked a tour to see the land diving since it is done only in a certain time of the year. Included in the tour was a flight to Epi Island to do some snorkeling at Lemon Bay.

Waiting at the tiny local airport in Port Vila they weighted our luggage (just a bag with snorkel, mask and water) and us. Than our pilot picked us plus 4 more up and we walked outside over the small airfield. We stopped in front of a Cessna with 7 seats.

We put on our life vests and he showed us the small life boat and 1^st aid box. Than he advised us for the seats according to our weights and we were all pretty surprised and excited about the small machine. So no fight over the window seat.

Off we went to Pentecost and with music we waited until some more tourists arrived with small airplanes to this tiny airfield. Afterwards they had a welcome dance and with about 40 tourists and over 200 locals we walked over to the wooden tower.

The highest platform was on 18 meters. On the lower platforms the small boys from 6 years jumped into the loose mud. One boy was too afraid to jump and another one had to jump in. Well I wouldn’t have jumped down either.

It was incredible to see but also not without danger. A man got injured when one of the vines snapped at the ankle. Luckily he could still walk. When the last jumper climbed all the way up the sound of the music got louder and we couldn’t believe that he was jumping. It was unbelievable.

After the land diving we went back to our small airplane and hopped in for the next adventure. We flew to Epi Island and Michael just said the only thing he would like to do is to land on a grass field. And here we come; we landed on a small grass strip.

We had a fantastic lunch and then we got brought over to Lemon Bay where we snorkeled with quite a strong current. Next time we bring fins. Looking for dugongs – big sea cows – we snorkeled like crazy and found so cool stuff. Several turtles and a big great barracuda cruised by and just before we wanted to get out off the water I turned around to Michael and this big dugong just came up behind him. Just fantastic.

Flying over those beautiful lush green islands of Vanuatu, with the dugong on our minds, we just couldn’t stop smiling.

Fred's Beach

Written by Nadine Zangerle on 02 March 2013. Posted in Vanuatu

After a couple of weeks it was time to have a day off. We decided to stay on the island and walk to the other side – to Fred"s Beach.

We followed the coastline – the orange ribbons ( marker) - for about 40 minutes when we found the two wooden signs pointing inland. Sometimes we lost a bit the sight of the markers but finally we found our way to the beautiful, lonely beach.

For the dogs it was quite an adventure and during low tide we explored a bit the caves. When we went in for some snorkeling Patch tried to swim with us and was so upset that we took our terms in snorkeling.

After a lot of water sessions we enjoyed our lunch and the dogs got some water and dry food. We found a different route back which was shorter but with the wooden ladder not so ideal with the dogs. Passing the American well we got back after 40 minutes.

The dogs where just knocked out after this exciting trip and all the swimming. Finally the dogs went even swimming with us.

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