Kelly's trips to Vanuatu

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September 2006


Kelly and the Chief
Kelly and the Chief

Ni Van kids
Ni Van kids

banana flower
banana flower

boy with knife 2
boy with knife 2

boy with knife
boy with knife

girl on swing
girl on swing

guest house
guest house

hibiscus
hibiscus

hibiscus2
hibiscus2

meeting center
meeting center

rest
rest

view from plane
view from plane

view from plane2
view from plane2


Hello everyone!

I spent a week in Vanuatu to conduct training and site development activities. Here are a few pictures of the island of Ambae. Ambae is the island that author James Michener referred to as Bali Hai in his epic book, Tales of the South Pacific. The volcano on Ambae is still bubbling and producing a significant amount of steam thus I stayed a safe distance away. Note the little boy in the green shirt with the large knife...Oh the Pacific life.

I leave in less than a week to go on my month-long dream vacation to Bhutan....will drop you a line when I return around late Nov.

Love you all!

Kelly


June 2004
Children of Vanuatu
Children of Vanuatu

Kelly at Vanuatu swear-in
Kelly at Vanuatu swear-in

Kevin at swear-in
Kevin at swear-in

The beautiful women of Epau
The beautiful women of Epau

The prettiest girl in the training village
The prettiest girl in the training village

Traditional meeting house  van
Traditional meeting house van

Vanuatu new group of volunteers
Vanuatu new group of volunteers

airport terminal in Epi, Vanuatu
airport terminal in Epi, Vanuatu

phyllis and kelly
phyllis and kelly


Dearest friends and family,

I have just been to the country of Vanuatu (formally called The New Hebrides). Vanuatu means the Land Eternal and lies in the Pacific rim of fire. The country is comprised of 83 islands, the islands makes the country shaped like a Y with the landmass about the size of Connecticut. The country is located in the south west side of the Pacific, in the heart of Melanesia. It is an amazingly gorgeous country with towering volcanic cones to dense rainforests and beautiful coral islands surrounded by white sandy coves.

The indigenous people, the Ni-Vanuatu, are elegance and charming people, not to mention extremely friendly. Bislama is the main language, although there are more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving in the country.

I ate marvelously well as much of the cuisine is French-based; I also indulged in some of the best beef (Vanuatu raised) I have ever eaten.

One intriguing and unique aspect of Vanuatu are the magic stones. The magic stones (made of limestone) have various powers, including success in love, bringing misfortune to your enemies and one, which attracts money. Regrettably, the export of the magic stones are prohibited, otherwise I would have sent you all the healthy and happy magic stone.

Vanuatu is also famous for their intoxicating Kava, which is a beverage made from the root of the pepper plant. Kava is grows abundantly and is used throughout the Pacific for ceremonies and medicinal purposes. It is not alcoholic but does relax your body and mind. Vanuatu is said to have the strongest Kava of the Pacific, I would have to agree to that as I had plenty to drink at several events!

On top of Vanuatu being a brilliant and spectacular county, it will also be featured in the 9th edition of the reality TV program Survivor..so check it out as the show is to hopefully portay some of the beautiful highlights of the country.

Kelly

March 2005
Van0510Kel&Relvie
Van0510Kel&Relvie

Van0511paddling to church
Van0511paddling to church

Van0512cynthia
Van0512cynthia

Van0513thegals
Van0513thegals

Van0514resting after a hard day
Van0514resting after a hard day

Van0516cynthia&bertron
Van0516cynthia&bertron

Van0516greetings in a village
Van0516greetings in a village

Van0518our lunch-laplap
Van0518our lunch-laplap

Van0519kids in a village
Van0519kids in a village

Van0520eating with family
Van0520eating with family

Van0522Relvie
Van0522Relvie

Van0523taking a break
Van0523taking a break

Van0525child
Van0525child

Van0526Kelly&Relvie
Van0526Kelly&Relvie

Van0527two little boys
Van0527two little boys

Van0528relvie,rob & glenis
Van0528relvie,rob & glenis

Van052Tim&Kel
Van052Tim&Kel

Van0530 Pt Vila
Van0530 Pt Vila

Van054Turtles&fish
Van054Turtles&fish

Van055Sharks
Van055Sharks

Van056Kel&Tim
Van056Kel&Tim

Van057Relvie&Melissa
Van057Relvie&Melissa

Van059eating laplap
Van059eating laplap


I had a terrific trip working with a new colleague named Relvie. We traveled through the third largest island of Vanuatu, Malakula and also spent time in the capital on the island of Efate.

I was also able to see one of my favorite volunteers, Cynthia and saw a good friend of mine from Micronesia, Tim, too.

All and all it was a productive and wonderfully social trip.