Sailing on top of the Ring of Fire
Vanuatu is situated on the
junction line of two continental tectonic plates on the Pacific Ring
of Fire and an occasional tremor is a part of a normal day to day
experience. (And we have already experienced several of these!) There
are nine active volcanos (seven on land) and numerous fumaroles and
thermal springs are scattered through this region. These are some of
the world's most accessible active volcanos and Mt. Yasur on Tanna
island gave us quite a show. There is a bang, the ground trembles,
smoke and red-hot magma shoots up....smell of sulphur,
dust...suddenly silence for few seconds before the roaring noise and
the shooting magma starts all over again. We were allowed to walk as
close as about 150 meters from the crater rim – definitely an
unforgettable sight! Roughly 80 island forming Vanuatu stretches
1,300 kilometres and modern life hasn't yet reached many villages we
have seen till now. People spend their days tending their gardens,
fishing in homemade canoes. There is no electricity, just solar or
flash light for few hours before they go to bed. No fridge, washing
machine or anything else that we can't imagine our life without –
yet the “Western world” could take few lessons from these people
on sustainable agriculture and fishing. All we get here is organic
and no extra cost for that! Of course money is needed for school
education and this is a big challenge for the families here since
industrial structure is at the minimum. Traditional dancing, land
diving, sand drawing and musics performances for the tourists are
just one way to make some money. The water surrounding these island
is crystal clear and the underwater scenery spectacular, full of
life. Vanuatu has twice been voted the happiest place on earth and
villagers always welcome us with a big smile, curiosity about us and
the outside world and they let us share in theirs. We are going to be
around here till the beginning of September, before moving towards
Australia, but first, with a stop in New Caledonia. Have a good
summer and keep smiling!