Vanuatu (part 4) - Back in Port Vila

Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu

We flew from Santo to Efate on Monday morning.  We had plans for that evening to have a family home evening (or as they are called in Vanuatu: Famle Haos Naet) with the Tiasinmal and Kaun families.  So, we walked around Port Vila, through the market...

...and enjoyed a super juicy pomplemus (pomello).  There are different kinds of pomplemuses, basically white and red.  A red one is just like a grapefruit.  The white pomplemus is much bigger, has a more subtle flavor, a little tangy and sweet.  Whenever they cut the skins off, it is done in a long spiral. They were always a welcome gift on my mission, even though some were the size of bowling balls and weighed the same... we always brought them home.   It was a happy, happy thing.

As we were walking around we saw an advertizement for scooter rental.  Hmmm.  That could be especially fun.  Upon further inquiry,  we learned that it was $35 bucks for the afternoon.  Sold!!  We strapped on the helmets and were off.  We didn't know where we were going, but we found a beautiful little beach surrounded by these large volcanic rocks.  The water was perfect for a swim and a lunch of bread and licorice.

And another one with a gentle wind against the trees and a stunning view of the open sea.  Perfect for a walk, hand in hand, along the edge of the water.

As we continued scooting around the island we passed this amazing tree.  I'm a fan of trees, and trees in the islands are incredible.  I could see into the tree that the family had a bench in it and some storage.  I would have loved to wonder through it.  There were 2 little girls playing by the tree so I walked over to them, with fruit snacks in hand.  They were a little nervous. 

I talked to them in Bislama and they started giggling. And giggled some more when I asked if they would like a lolly (sweet treat).  That won them over.  The dad of one of the girls came over and we chatted about the tree and the girls.  I got permission to take pictures of the tree (since we'd already taken several) and some pictures of the girls.  Cute cute!

We were across the street, leaning as far back as we could against a fence to try and get the whole tree in the frame. 

Truly, a remarkable tree.  There is another tree on the island of Tanna that I love.  There is just something about them that reminds me of the majesty of the Creator.  One of my most favorite poems by Joyce Kilmer says it better...

I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree that looks to God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

After an afternoon scootering around Efate we headed back and met up with the Kaun and Tiasinmal families... two of my most favorite in the whole wide Vanuatu.  I'm pretty grouchy about the fact that the entire evening of lesson, dinner, chatting, laughing, and more chatting went without a single photo.  So I am including a photo of both families from mission days.

Katimal & Mariella Kaun.  They have two beautiful daughters, now teenagers.

 

Mary & Honore Tiasinmal (I'm holding their daughter, Lovelina, who is now about 12).  They have 2 boys, both nearing mission age, and another daughter who is 4.

Both families are pioneers in their land, wonderful examples, and dear friends.

We were flying out the next day, but not until the afternoon.  So Honore and Mary said they would drive us around to Mele Cascade Falls and the museum.  I hiked up to the falls once on my mission and once during my 2004 trip.  They'd done a lot of landscaping and added some handrail ropes for portions of the hike.  Here we are at the base of the trail.

There is a bridge that crosses over the stream.  I went and sat on the rock while Matt set the timer on the bridge and made the mad dash over to the rock to look completely relaxed for the photo.  It's like the Garden of Eden.

We enjoyed the hike up, having the trail almost completely to ourselves.  The "hike" is more like a "walk" for much of it.  But oh, what a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L hike/mostly-walk it was!!

The trail passes through the stream multiple times... this was not one of them.  We wanted to get some pictures of the water cascading down the stones. We took off our shoes and waded into the clear water to get some pictures.  Sigh... loved it.

I liked this picture of our shoes on the edge of the stream.

This part of the trail actually was through the water.  They have carved a few steps into the stone to make it easier to climb up.  We were both surprised how un-slippery it was. 

There are 2 falls together and then another over just a bit.  It was over cast that day and we were going to pick up our bags and go straight to the airport, so we decided not to swim.  But it sure was perty!

We headed back down the trail to wait for Mary and Honore to pick us up.  We went back to our bed and breakfast, grabbed our luggage, and headed out the door.  We made a quick stop at the national museum.  We'd tried to go there twice before but it hadn't worked out.  Everything went smoothly at the airport, so we were able to enjoy some more time with Mary and Honore.  And then we were on our way to Samoa.  There was a new excitement at introducing Matt to Brett & Tufa and the kids.  What a dream to be in Vanuatu with Matt and then to be off to Samoa.  I'm tempted to burst into the "Sound of Music" song: "I must have done something good!" 

I love him.  Dearly.