COMMUNITY

Travel Writers: Life as a ni-Vanuatu

Location: Ni-Vanuatu, Pacific Islands

I woke up early to the sound of the roosters and birds calls in Port Vila. My flight arrived in late so I didn’t get much sleep, however the views over Port Vila harbour really made up for this. Turquoise and green of the coral sea beneath me were just stunning, a great start to the day.

As a wandered the narrow streets of Port Vila to get my bearings, I would receive a "good morning" from the early morning locals (known as ni-Vanuatu) on their way to their daily duties.

By late morning, Michelle and I head off to our destination: the village of Tasikiri on the island of Moso. En route, we collected George and Kalo, from the town market. Kalo and George are turtle monitors.

As a turtle monitor, it is their responsibility to educate others of the importance in conserving these beautiful marine creatures, as well as taking part in survey work.

Around sunset we departed the waters edge of Efate via a motor boat that arrived from Moso. Approximately 20 of us climbed aboard along with a wheelbarrow of coconuts, boxes, buckets, and other food commodities, certainly a tight squeeze, but nice to be surrounded by smiling faces of the Tasikiri community. During the short boat journey, one of the children started playing with something I can only describe as an oversized maggot. It must have been about the size of three fingers in length and width. After a few giggles, the maggot started being passed around the boat, and we were told by the village Pastor these maggots were usually roasted and eaten. The maggot didn’t reach as far as Michelle or I, as George had already taken a meaty bite, much to my dismay! The rest of the community laughed at my crumpled facial expressions which made me laugh too.

I am pleased to say shortly after the maggot eating incident, we had arrived at the Tasikiri village. Being dark we couldn’t see much, but the villagers we did see were full of smiles, and we had a few welcome hand shakes.

We settled into our bungalow, and sat down outside with the light of an oil lamp whilst dinner was served; a selection of meat and fish dishes, fresh tomato, rice and paw-paw.

After an early night, this was a perfect introduction to life as a ni-Vanuatu.

© Erica Karen Louise