There’s an empty chair here. we guard it closely.

Hello from sunny Port Vila!I haven’t really been up to much. Still finding my feet in this sandy place.

However,  I did manage to

• help mum move from our lovely house with this view

view from Villa 5 of Sea Side Villas

to an apartment at The Melanesian Resort with this view

from Unit 28 of The Melanesian

• Be my obnoxious local self exploiting resort facilities without paying a single Vatu while bonding with my brother

Rex & Tusker @ Le Lagon

• Catch up with beloved old friends and hear the gossip about the colourful characters in this city

Will & Poli, Rusty for lunch at La Tentacion

• and even out my tan

Le Lagon

I hope i had more exciting news.. but alas.. the island makes me lazy.

But he’s coming on Wednesdays and adventures will be had then!!

I

WE CANNOT FRIGGIN WAIT!!!

Ale Tata! Lukim yu!

(that’s Ok bye! See you! in Bislama)

it’s a sign

Often times in Vanuatu you are walking along, minding your own business when suddenly you are confronted by a hilarious sign or graffiti that would make you smile, laugh and nudge your companion so you can both have a giggle.

Here’s just some that made me whip out my camera.

“Love is like an ice cream LINK it before it melts.”

Oh indeed.

Rex & I can’t stop giggling when we saw this.

Whitegrass International Airport; Tanna Island, Vanuatu

“You stole my heart when you say you love me. You break my heart when you say you gonne leave me”

Rex & i loved the poetry.

Whitegrass International Airport; Tanna Island, Vanuatu

you want my WHAT?! checked by security?!

ummmm.. spell check anyone?!!

Whitegrass International Airport; Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Filos in Vila

My first week here I confined myself to our house – watching endless movies and TV shows and devouring the books I brought from Australia. I got to know our house girl Lorina and the different security guards that came to sit outside our house 24/7. I ventured into town twice. Once to do the grocery at Au Bon Mache. And the next when I had a sudden craving for beer and walked to find the first pub that would serve me a cold one. I didn’t mind going about it alone for a while. I needed to wrap my head around the place first by myself. But after a week I was getting a bit antsy and was looking for company I could talk to.

Good thing mum aranged for me to meet the Filipinos around my age. They picked us up, took us to dinner at the fabulous L’houstalet and then drinks at the Waterfront. I finally met people I could hang out with! Michelle, Ron, Jom & Kuya Rolex were awesome company! They were funny and they drink!!! There’s nothing like being around Filipinos in a foreign country.

After that first night, they’d always pick me up from the house and helped me adjust to the Port Vila lifestyle. We exploited the facilities of swam and played table tennis at Le Lagon. Went on night outs to Voodoo and Waterfront. And they gave me amusing running commentary of the characters here in Vila.

Here’s the people who gave me back my sanity on my first few weeks.

with my beloved friend michelle @ honeymoon beach on easter

mum & i at Waterfront on our first night out with the filos.

kuya lex, jom & ron after swimming at le lagon

i love these 2! my yosi buddy ron & michelle my partner in crime