Christmas Time Is Here

With all the drama and frustration that’s going in Pangai I was all for the plan to get away for Christmas, and I’m so glad we did- I had a wonderful time. Grant, a current volunteer who has been here for a year, offered up his island and house to head out to for the holiday. Since Eric, Melanie, and Monica couldn’t get into Lifuka or Foa (the boat situation is more difficult than we realized) we decided just to head up to Ha’ano, Grant’s island, for about 5 days. So, Grant, Kate, Brett, and myself caught a ride up to Faleloa, the town Sarah lives on Foa, which is where the boats to Ha’ano come in and out, picked up Sarah, and crammed into a little boat to make the 45ish minute ride to the next island. We spent Christmas eve in his village and even got to see a mini Nativity play that the children in one of the churches put on (adorbs) and stayed through Christmas day since we were invited to a feast after church at the home of one of the teachers at Grant’s school.

Later, we walked almost a mile from the village out to a half-constructed “resort”. A man from New Zealand is in the process of building a few small houses around a main house area with a kitchen and porch that will eventually be used for tourists. But, in the meantime, it was the perfect place to get away and have some time to ourselves. We spent a few days there swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and generally hanging out and enjoying the beautiful weather, beach, and coral reefs. It was the first time I have ever been snorkeling, and it’s so much fun! The fish and coral are absolutely beautiful- vibrant and colorful. Most of this trip I felt like I was in the middle of a post card. We also spent a lot of time talking about food (shocking) and managed to make some delicious meals ourselves with the food we were able to bring up and find/catch there, relying heavily on Grant's spear fishing skills! It was lovely to be able to spend time with everyone, and relax and really appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the ocean and where we are. And although it didn’t feel at all like Christmas, which probably made it easier, it was a great week. Of course, I was thinking of all of you a lot: I love and miss you and hope you had a wonderful winter holiday time.