The flight was good and we got through immigration and got our bags quite quickly. Although we believe our residential visa’s are approved we don’t have our paperwork yet, so we are here on a regular tourist visa this time.
We arrived at our new home at the Ocean View apartments by about 11:45pm, the room is very livable. Scott was a bit worried I would not like it as I will be here on my own for at least four (4) months. At this point, Scott is still required at DIAGNO till 30 November and we don’t know how much longer after that.
We are meeting with a guy who we think may be our builder tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed I get on with him OK as I will be working with him once Scott leaves. He believes he can have the Tapas Bar and our Bungalow built to lockup in 10-12 weeks! That would be amazing… we will see.
So it is Sunday morning now and yesterday we spent the morning getting organised. Shopping for food and making the room ours. Then we headed out to the block. We had our neighbor Bob and his boy’s whipper snip the front block again last week. It is looking good! We soaked up the amazing feeling it gives us being there for an hour or so. The tide was right out by 1pm, lower than we have seen it to date. Then we wandered over to Alan and Bronwyn’s place. Had our picnic lunch and a chat with them. Then Bob turned up. He took us for a walk up the creek to show us how he gets his water. The creek is so beautiful, little waterfalls all along it and pools to cool off in. Can’t wait to show you when you come and visit…
They all wanted us to join them in the village at the Nakamal at about 5pm for Kava. We didn’t really have anything to race back to town for so off we went. So have you ever tried real Kava? It was the first time I had… OMG it hit me hard and fast! Scott bought me a 150 vt shell. It was equivalent to about a mug of coffee in volume, I was told to let a few drops out to say thank you to the earth and then skull it. Within 10 minutes my mouth felt numb by 20 minutes I felt like I had just swallowed a bottle of champagne to myself. I felt dizzy and spacey. Definitely should have gone for the 50vt shell… next time perhaps, if there is a next time.
The ladies of the village prepare small snacks we could buy from them for 20vt (about 25c) so we got to try some local food too. I felt quite sick by the time we were going home, and as Scott had kava too, and we had a car load of locals to drop off at another village on the way home, it was a slow trip over the hill.
An interesting day to say the least!
car load of kids
little cutie!
Mangaliliu Village church at sunset
Mangaliliu Village at sunset
The photos are from yesterday… today was far more sedate, a roast pork lunch prepared by our neighbors and then a little clearing at the back of the block. And then a dip in the rock pool at the front of the block.
My Mum and Dad will be in town tomorrow. They are in Port Vila on a cruise. So excited to show them around and take them to the block.
Cheers
Darleen
See you in Paradise…
Glen Calder 
Christine McDonald 
debi noy