Saturday Senior Activity

Last Saturday, we all went on a tour of the Aelan Chocolate Factory, located here in Port Vila.  The tour only took about 10 minutes, and then we got to taste all the different types of chocolate they make.  YUM! They make their chocolate from the cocoa beans from three islands here in Vanuatu; Santo, Malekula, and Epi.  We've been to Santa and Malekula, but not Epi.  It's all dark chocolate, 70 percent cocoa.  They add crystalized ginger, tumeric, chili pepper and kava into chocolate.  Sooo good!  (we did not taste the kava chocolate). They won international recognition at the International Chocolate Salon Competition - Artisan Chocolate Awards 2018.   They were up against chocolate makers from around the world.   GO VANUATU!!!!  They were so excited to tell us all about it.  We'll bring plenty home for tasting. 

After our chocolate adventure, we drove just down the road to a custom village, what a riot, we had so much fun!  There are a few villages on the islands that will put on a custom production so that you can see what it was like back in the day, it also provides a little money for the village.  This particular village we went to, was evacuated from the island of Ambae.  The volcano on their island keeps erupting and causing the people to have to leave.  Since leaving the island, they are just trying to make a little money to live on.  When we walked in, we were greated by a serious warrior.  He was all "undressed up."  We all gathered around him as he welcomed us to his village, when all of the sudden, we were charged by warriors with spears!  It was very real, and scared us purple for a second, then we all started laughing.  They were so fun and funny.  They put a flower in our hair, and handed Elder Collette a big palm leaf.  You would present the palm, if you wanted to go into a village, in peace.  He talked to us about their ancestors who were cannibals.  He took us to a hut that had custom artifacts used during the day.  We saw woven mats used in custom marriages, clubs for killing pigs for ceremony, a conch shell for calling village members together, and more, and explained what everything was used for.  They dressed us up in the fun ceremonial attire so that we could take pictures.  They did several ceremonial dances for us, it was sooo interesting and fun!  It really has been fun to learn about the customs and culture in the islands. 

Last Wednesday, we all got tickets to a Chinese dance program.  It was held in a big conference center that the Chinese built.  Not much ever goes on there, but it has a stage for productions, and they put on a fun program.  They did balancing acts, dancing, kung fu fighting moves... We all thought it was going to be more elaborate than it was, but it was okay for the 800 vatu we paid ($8.00).  There is a chinese man, Robert, that plays pickle ball with us now, and is really good.  We found out that he is a pro ping pong player, that explains why he can give us a run for our money in pickleball, it's played much the same way.   There is a real language barrier, but we understand enough to help him with the rules of play.  He picked it up quick!  He's ordering all kinds of paddles and balls from China, so that they can keep the fun going even after we've all gone home.  We're giving all of our stuff to the Nivan's, hoping someone will take care of it.  Those that have played with us, love it! 

Next Thursday, we are headed for the island of Santo for our last audit there.  The volcano on the island of Ambae has caused many people to evacuate to Santo.  It will be interesting to see how things will be as far as the audits go.  Lots of members are there, but are the records there with anyone??? We're not sure what we'll find.  You can be sure I'll write and tell you all about it!  I'll close for now, we hope all is well with you and your families.   Take care and we'll write again soon.   Love, Greg and Ann