Alo Olgeta,

I arrived after much travelling on Sunday to tropical Vanuatu around 10am. I set myself the all important search for the House Kingdom located some wear in the crazy streets of Port vila, Efate. Eventually a Nevan latter day saint called Graham showed me the way to the hall in the northern part of town.

The memorial went well although i understood only the gist of it. A t nevan study and friend 'Joseph' from Blenheim turned up and called for me in the road out side 'Felix!' (the always distinguishable giant Palangi). We sat together which was nice. The attendance was several hundred, there no other familiar faces just Joseph, but i felt proud of him there.

The weather here is very hot and intensely Humid, It reminds me of Tahiti for its soggy climate. Vanuatu is in central Melanesia and is in the later part of the wet season going into the more bearable dry season.

On Monday i spent the afternoon with Joseph swimming in the ocean off Mele beach, One of the tribal villages of Efate. Other islanders cooled in the water with there pikininnie that frolicked and played child like games. Coconut, Banana and Banyan trees grow along the coast. Small streams of smoke rising from the bush, islanders cooking.

Joseph told me that his wife and two Pikininnie (children) are coming down from Mota lava tomoro, he is flying them down. 'You can come for Kaikai (food) at my house in Black Sands when they are here'. Black Sands is another village here on the main island of Efate.

Yesterday i was pounced upon when i first attempted to update this blog from the pricey interent shop in Port vila by Rangi a butch Strong stocky nevan whom i had spent time with in Blenheim, NZ. He was very happy to see me! We spent most of yesterday together. Rarangi made it his challenge to find me the fresh cargo office that know one seems to know of its location. This turned into a crazed wild goose chase, even Rangi did not know wear the nomadic shipping company had moved there office to. I found myself back at his village though, Mele village. Rangi invited me to stay with him and his family, the water is free the Kaikai is free no problem you stay with me.

The Mele tribe is somewhat industrialised to an extent but is still rural tribal. This should be an interesting experience. His son Vandalla (eleven) and daughter Julianna (seven) were very shy and full of laughter, they had never spoken to white man before, One had visited there school once but never had they been spoken to or had one visit there home. Mary Rangi's submissive wife cooked us some Lunch of freshly speared fish from the sea.

Rangi is Meles self professed best free diver, diving to depths of 20 meters! I have decided to move in with Rangi and Family. They know i am a Jehovah's witness, Rangi asked me to say a prayer over the Kaikai yesterday and we have had many chats, there is a basic respect for Christianity here but i kneed to show myself to be bringing a more important message to this family and tribe. I kneed to somehow plant a seed of interest and link them with local witnesses who can take things further should they want to when i return  home.

I am planning on going to an outer island soon though locating cargo boats and there actual leaving time is proving difficult. I will keep looking, things are very relaxed here, always 'maybe tomoro we go'. Rangi is chief of a village on the island of Erromango and thinks we should go, though the travel complications are an issue and an expense. I may go to see the Sea cows of Epi and undersea volcano's. Nothing is certain here yet, but at least i am to be living with a nevan tribe and moving from the dormitory in central Port vila.

I will update soon. Tankyou tumas,

Felix

Olsem wanem,

I am at Auckland international airport waiting to board my flight. Very exciting. I have been travelling a lot all ready. A bus from Blenheim to Chritschurch then a flight up here from Christchurch to Auckland. I slept over night at the airport next to my luggage cart.

A 5.3 quake hit Christchurch less than half an hour upon my arrival to the city last night, glad i am out of there!

I will update when in Port Vila,

Tank you Tumas,

Felix

Dear Friends and followers,

In little over a week i am off from cold Autumnal New Zealand for exotic Melanesia! not Fiji but Vanuatu or the New Hebrides as Captain Cook named them when he arrived on the HMS Resolution in the 1770's.

I will be starting my trip from the island of Efate once i arrive. I will get to know the main island and the capital Port vila. I will take time to acclimatise to the relaxed island life and humid tropical climate.

 My plan is to visit the southern tribes of Pentecost island wear the infamous Naghol land diving ritual happens. Also the island of Espiritu Santo for the wrecks and Reefs and the Volcanic southern island of Tanna to visit the accessible active Volcano - Mount Yasur. I also am intrigued by the all round still existing traditional tribal culture of central Melanesia.

This trip is likely to be exciting and quite full on! I will be updating this blog every couple of days or when i cannot get online; when i return to the main islands.

I will update with New Zealand Photos very soon,

Cheers, Felix

Dear Friends and Followers,

I am still in New Zealand working away on the Vineyards of Marlborough gaining fantastic Viticulture experience to return home to England. There is not too much to write about that is island related or even off the beaten track travel stuff of interest. All i can do now is dream but i am planning a trip for when i finish my work and before i leave for the UK. I am most likely to be back on the road less traveled from the middle of June. The plan is:

Vanuatu's - Pentecost island land diving festival and life on remote Motu lava in the Banks islands

Also planned is: Fiji's Monuriki in the Mamanutha islands, Cast away island! 

I am considering visiting the Kingdom of Tonga but this is less likely, Vanuatu is my goal and that is what i am working towards. I will see how things go and let you all know, i am just trying to save and make something happen.

Apart from progress updates this blog will not be the food for some hungry travel bookworm until i am back on the road (mid June) then i will regularly keep you updated with blog updates and photos of interest from the remoter outposts of Melanesia! Offering up inside story's to the places fewer go to!

Thank you for Following me, will update soon,

Lukem you (goodbye in Bislama/Pidgin English)

Felix