#2.Takara Village, Vanuatu
History/Facts:
Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some 1,090 miles east of northern Australia, 310 miles west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea. It has approximately 82 relatively small, geologically newer islands of volcanic origin (65 of them inhabited), with about 800 miles north to south distance between the outermost islands.
Takara is a very small village of only 200 or so people, right on the coast of the northernmost part of the main island (Efate). It is in a beautiful location pushed right up against the beach with a view of several islands close by. Most of the islands here were formed by volcanoes.
History/Facts:
Vanuatu is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some 1,090 miles east of northern Australia, 310 miles west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea. It has approximately 82 relatively small, geologically newer islands of volcanic origin (65 of them inhabited), with about 800 miles north to south distance between the outermost islands.
Takara is a very small village of only 200 or so people, right on the coast of the northernmost part of the main island (Efate). It is in a beautiful location pushed right up against the beach with a view of several islands close by. Most of the islands here were formed by volcanoes.
Us with the completed water tank we helped build (I'm in the yellow shirt).
In 2006, me and some friends went on a trip to the Village of Takara, to give the supplies, and help them build a water tank to store rainwater in, so that they would not have to drink from the dirty streams running along the village.
The people of Takara Village
Although I was only there for a couple weeks, that place will forever hold a special place in my heart. The people there were sooo warm and welcoming. They cooked us food, and showed us such great hospitality. I made some great friendships there with the villagers.
Attractions/Things to Do:
There aren't really any "attractions" in Takara, considering it's just a little village, but there are PLENTY things to do!
There aren't really any "attractions" in Takara, considering it's just a little village, but there are PLENTY things to do!
Here we are playing volleyball on an old World War II landing strip! It was so crazy!!!
Me helping one of the ladies cook laplap for the afternoon meal.
Me walking through the village with some of the kids. They love visitors!
The dirt path from the village to the beach.
Octopus hunting!
Yes, we actually went out, found octopuses (octopi? haha), I stuck my hand in the reef, pulled it out, and brought it back for supper!
Yes, we actually went out, found octopuses (octopi? haha), I stuck my hand in the reef, pulled it out, and brought it back for supper!
Me and some of the local girls carrying buckets of sand from the beach. The men used the sand to make cement, to form into the blocks used to make the water tank!
And last but not least, me in the ocean! Were standing on a little piece of coral, and that's why were sticking out of the water so far!
This was a truly once in a lifetime experience; being in the middle of the ocean, being able to see the bottom, and jumping off the coral, into the water, and playing and splashing with the villagers.
This was a truly once in a lifetime experience; being in the middle of the ocean, being able to see the bottom, and jumping off the coral, into the water, and playing and splashing with the villagers.
Peace Love and Vanuatu
Jess <3
