Final Visitation for 2008: Tauranga Crew

Firstly, wan bigfula sori from we me no bin writem wan sumting longtaem finis. Sori Tumas!

As in the fashion of Vanuatu, you will have forgiven me whole heartedly (and will do so again in the future when I don't blog for an equally long time), although you may be miffed at not receiving a mat, pig or yam! Its just hard to send overseas...

The last visitors for 2008: Pip, Andrew, Glenda and Renee, arrived to the beginning of the hot (and sometimes rainy) season. Accommodation at Decostap (numba wan pool blong swimswim), the mecca that is Luganville to explore, what more could you ask for!

After hiring a pretty flash hilux, we headed to Oyster Island for Friday night, to enjoy the sumptuous offerings of this renown establishment... particularly the enormous seafood banquet. The next day it was off to Lonoc Beach, our base to explore the northeast coast of Santo. Swimming at Champagne Beach, admiring the "little paradise of Port l'Orly" through the rain, swimming at the blue hole and of course plenty of spell smol and G & T's. However the highlight would have to be the superb trevaily caught by andrew during a mornings fishing excursion.

Back in town, the girls helped officiate a Hotel Santo Cup match at Unity Park. They also had the opportunity to make laplap, with a friend of mine. From purchasing the yams, island cabbage and other choice ingredients, preparation and cooking of the laplap (with a bit of basket weaving to pass the time). It was one of the best laplap that I've had!

On the final day I made sure to get Glenda a mother hubbard dress, which she wore without shame for the flight to Vila (I've subsequently donned an island dress on the odd occasion for work or events thanks to Glenda's inspiration).

Thanks for a great visit guys, it reminded me how much I love NZ!!