Kava Tried kava on Thursday evening (3rd). We'd built it up far too much beforehand and got ourselves all nervous about what it would be like and what effect it would have on us. It's essentially a root that's related to the pepper plant and it's ground into a powder and added to water. It has natural hallucinogenic properties and women are not officially encouraged to drink it (they have to be invited). It looked like a bowl of dirty dish water and I made the b...

Tuesday 1st December So, I've survived a week, and what a week it's been! It's been interesting, challenging, fun, terrifying, frustrating and hell - all at the same time! I've been eaten alive by mozzies despite dousing myself in repellent and being really careful. Our project manager had some spare mozzie nets so I found a great one that goes over the posts on my bed and makes me feel like a princess rather than the cocooned caterpillar I was the first few nig...

Where are the Turtles? On Tuesday got cab to Wan Smolbag ("one small bag"!) which was our meeting point for the project. Due to meet at 9am; nothing happened til 10.30am! Island time! Were invited to go and watch some filming of "Love Patrol" - it's the 3rd series of a very popular drama/soap opera. A lot of the actors are famous across the region as it's aired in Fiji, PNG and on Maori TV. The director, a Brit, Peter, is one of the founders ...

So, finally found the internet, plugged in my usb and the pc here is so archaic that it can't read my file so I will have to tell you my latest ventures in my next post which I think will be Friday as I can't afford to sit and retype it all out! Suffice to say I made it to Vanuatu yesterday, the weather has been a bit crap (booo, so much for my sun, sand, sea etc) but I suppose it is cyclone season and the market doesn't look as good as the picture! I'm currentl...

Farewell New Zealand, Hello Vanuatu! Spent my final few days in NZ with Jeanette and Matt and their 2 girls in Welcome Bay, near Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. I've actually been in NZ longer than them as they've just moved here and only been in their new home for 2 weeks! Was great to get some home comforts, particularly a comfy bed, clean bathroom and a washing machine (with fabric conditioner!). Had a couple of lazy days - wandered round the base of Mt Maunga...