Tanna offers some more tourist spectacles: there is the custom village, which offers a perfect show of traditional living. We are welcomed by the chief in the traditional namba outfit. Legend has it that this ingenious construction increases potency – even when you are old – and the health of newborns. Looking at the kids
For sunset it is time to drive up to the crater of the Volcano at Mt. Yasur, the most accessible active volcano in the world. Jack drives the Land Rover across the large sand flat at the base of the volcano at full speed and everyone is screaming for joy, mixed with a bit of
Melanesia is full of local cults which are fascinating. The principles are very similar, of Maslowian nature and actually quite simple to follow. It goes like this: if you engage in certain practices, then these great events will happen and / or beautiful things will be given to you. The founders and leaders of cargo
“Vanuatu – the untouched paradise” this is the claim the Ministry of Tourism chose for their advertising campaign, which is predominantly geared at Australians and Kiwis. But it is not just a claim, there is actually quite a bit of truth to it. Vanuatu is largely untouched, and this is predominantly because a. Most people
We arrived on Tanna, one of the larger Vanuatu islands about 45 min South with about 25000 locals, in a brand-spanking CJR72 air conditioned airplane with irritatingly westernized service standards. At the airport, Mona welcomed us with a warm and open smile. She is a relative or our new friends in Port Vila and we
We arrive in Vanuatu in Port Vila on the island of Efate and got welcomed by the local band playing lovely mellow songs for us, while the rain was adding its own water music melody. What we did not know is, that from January until August it is rainy season here, sometimes it rains up
Travelling is not so much about seeing different beaches, monuments or scenic highlights. It is the journey into new worlds, that we share with people we never met before. I believe we do not find these moments that often at home, because we know everything so well and we control the day with our brains,
This morning we enjoyed beautiful Waikuku beach with a great wave just North of Christchurch. Like almost everywhere in NZ, we shared the waves with 1 or 2 others, plenty of space to play. Later on we discovered the different districts of Christchurch, mostly overwhelmed by the little beach towns close to Christchurch like Sumner,
From there we cruised down to the Abel Tasman national park, where we have so great memories from 7 years ago. Today is Sienna’s birthday. She wakes up with a big big smile, now as she is 4 years old. Here is the recipe for her birthday cake. Not that it was exceptionally good,
Luminate Festival 2010, 5 days of earth-friendly music, dancing, healing, inspiration We drive up the mountains near Motueka on a dirt road at the top of Takaka Hill, right behind the golden sands of Abel Tasman Park. We are singing loudly to Sira and Caitlins CD, which I found some days ago in Nelson in