Sleeping on a Mat in Fanafo Village

This is where we slept at night. Uncle Steve, Erin and Quentin slept on the mat in the photo. My Dad and I slept on a mat beside this one. We put up a mosquito net for each floor mat and we had one sheet each. I slept very well at night since I was tired from playing during the day.

Sitting in the Kitchen

This large building is used for community meetings during the day, cooking and sleeping. We visited friends here and also slept on the floor at night. It is empty inside except for the area on the right where all the cooking is done. One man built this building for his family and the community to use.

Making Toys with Local Kids

The local kids in Fanafo Village make their own toys. They have a fun toy called a "musket". It is made from bamboo and it shoots small flower buds very far. They cut two pieces of hollow bamboo. They cut one piece and keep it as a long hollow tube as the main part of the musket. Then they carve the other bamboo stick and make a narrow push rod to fit perfectly inside the hollow bamboo tube. Then they hammer in two flower buds from a tree and they push the rod in quickly and it shoots the buds really far, and it makes a bang noise. The girl holding the bushknife made me and my cousins each our own musket to keep. We played a lot with the kids in the village.

Walking into the Village

We drove in the pickup truck from Luganville to the entrance of Fanafo Village. Then we walked through the jungle for about 10 more minutes to reach our destination.

On the Road to Fanafo

The ride to Fanafo took about an hour. There are almost no other cars or trucks on the road. Most of the road is not paved and there are many large pot holes. When it rains there are huge puddles and lots of mud. Some trucks get stuck in the mud and the passengers need to help push them out. It didn't rain that day so we had an easier ride there.

Road Trip to Fanafo Village (May 12-13, 2009)

I went to Fanafo Village on Santo Island with my Dad, Uncle Steve and two cousins Erin and Quentin. We rode in the back of a pickup truck and I stood the whole way. The roads were very bumpy.

Cruise Ship in Luganville, Santo (May 9, 2009)

A large cruise ship docked in Luganville for the day. There were a lot of tourists from the ship walking around town.

Caught a Lobster (May 8, 2009)

I caught a live lobster that was crawling on the beach at Unity Park in Luganville, Santo.

Big Black Horned Beetle

My cousin Erin and I caught a large black beetle in Luganville, Santo Island, Vanuatu.

Long Paper Airplane in Luganville, Santo

My cousin Quentin is holding his super long paper airplane that he made. We all made paper planes but Quentin's was the longest.

In the Tusk at Airport in Santo

Quentin, Erin and me are sitting in a large statue of a pig tusk at the airport. In Vanuatu pig tusks were used as money, and even today real pig tusks that are curved have value. Chiefs and other important people wear curved pig tusks on their necklaces.

The Boys in the Santo Airport

I arrived safely in Santo and was so happy to see my cousins Erin and Quentin. The flight was great and I got a tour of the cockpit during the flight.

Here comes the UM (April 28, 2009)

I have a two week school break at the end of term one. I flew to Luganville, Santo to visit my cousins Erin and Quentin and my Auntie Carren and Uncle Steve. I flew on the plane myself from Port Vila as a UM (Unaccompanied Minor).

Wii Fit - Rhythm Boxing

I play Wii games at home using a projector so the screen is big. Here is a picture of me boxing on Wii Fit. It is fun and good exercise.

Body Boarding at Pango

I love body boarding with my Dad when the tide is high and there are big waves. Big waves are good and bad. The first time I went on a big wave I got flipped over twice and it took me 10 seconds to get to the surface. But the second time I rode like a rocket to the shore.

It's my Birthday Today (March 29th)

This morning I went to a restaurant for a special birthday breakfast. I will have a big birthday party at The Fun Factory in a few weeks with my two cousins and a bunch of my friends. This afternoon I went body surfing at Pango. I love body boarding with my Dad. We caught a few big waves. In the evening we watched a Spiderman movie on our big screen.

Family Photo (March 22, 2009)

Here is a photo of me and my parents. I had a good time at the restaurant.

Dinner with Friends (March 22, 2009)

Me and my parents had a really nice dinner with our good friends Payman, Sima and Naysan at a Chinese restaurant. I liked the chicken and the soup.

3 Kittens Born Today (March 1, 2009)

Starting at 10:30 a.m. this morning three new kittens were born. First was Goldie (middle), then Panther (left), and third was Pepper (right). They are so cute. My pet Tiger (the kitten's mother) is very tired and is now taking a nap while the kittens drink milk.

My Mom and two Friends (Feb. 22, 2009)

Here is a picture of my Mom and two of her friends, Easuary and Sima.

Gathering at Erangorango, Efate (Feb. 22, 2009)

Here is a photo of some participants at the cluster reflection meeting. I am sitting in the front row. Unfortunately not everyone is in the photo because the group was too big, and the photographer was standing too close to the group. The Chief's Nakamal is in the background.

My Dad at the Meeting (Feb. 22, 2009)

My Dad gave a small talk at the gathering about encouragement. This is a picture of him sitting at the back of the hall before his presentation. The event was in a Chief's Nakamal which is a community centre.

Cluster Reflection Meeting (Feb. 22, 2009)

Me and my parents attended a big gathering at Erangorango. There were a lot of people from all across our island, Efate Island.

TamTam (Slit Drum)

This tamtam is about 5 meters or 15 feet high. A tamtam is a slit drum made from a tree truck. It is used as an instrument (banged with a large stick) to call community members to general gatherings. The sound can travel several kilometres. Tamtams are also used for decoration and ceremonies. This tamtam is in the village of Erangorango.

Everything Grows in Vanuatu

A new shoot is growing out of this old coconut. With good soil, warm weather, frequent sun and regular rain, almost anything grows here.