- Older in Vanuatu - South Pacific 2007:
Party on the Beach - Newer in Vanuatu - South Pacific 2007:
Port Vila, Once More with Feeling
The call from Jon came a day early. They are getting ready to make a tricky crossing between Nguna Island and Mataso, 13.4 miles away. The wind is strong from SSE and will be blowing off beam as they paddle which will push them off course and make the paddling more difficult. They have been moving slowly and watching the weather for the past few days. Everyone says the wind is stronger this year than normal, perhaps because of global warming. A few last minute structural additions made the boats sound and waterproof.
Jon says they have been in and out of the cash economy for the past week. In one village there was a store so they went in to see if they could get some rations. There was a can of spam, two packets of top ramen and a big jar of red jaw breakers. The conversation went something like this:
Man at the counter - “would you like to buy anything?”
Jon - “well, if you had something that I wanted, I would buy it.”
Man – “what do you want?”
“Food.”
“Well, if you were hungry, why didn't you tell me. You don't get food at stores, everyone knows that.”
And he proceeded to give them mangos and tomatoes for free.
The point where they start their crossing has a restaurant where they can buy food, and huts where they can pay money for sleeping.
The boats are packed and they are ready to leave at first light, paddling towards the tiny speck of an island on the horizon.
Jon sends his thanks to Prijon for the boats and to Lendal for the wing paddles – wonderful... and to Patagonia for clothes and gear.
Dated: 09/02/2007
