Day 5 and 6

Day Number Five and Six

#5 – It started early and we were off to Pelepay Island.  It was the only other tour we could do that day due to the cruise ships still being in town.  About an hour bus ride to the dock and we were awaiting to get on our boat.  Boat might be a strong term for it, unless the word motor is in front of it – almost could have been considered a paddle boat, but there were no paddles.  We were required to put on life jackets which were welcomed. 

We got to the island and the local village chief came out and welcomed us.  We were given flower necklaces and some morning tea which consisted of coconut water, banana chips and fruit.  A warm welcome to start the day.

Then we got our snorkel gear on and it was back on the motor boats.  A short trip and we were at the coral site.  Great visibility for the morning – a bit cold but if you tread water long enough you can warm up quickly.  There were some great fish and corals to look at.  People were so into the snorkeling that there were a few water surface collisions. 

We got back on the boat and headed to the second snorkel site.  This one was not as great as the first.  There were quite a few sea lice on the water.  Sea lice are little insects of some sort that live on the surface of the water and sting you.  Somehow I was lucky enough to get stung five times on my lips – it was not pleasant.

Now back to shore for some lunch.  If I wasn’t a vegetarian it looked like it would have been great – but I did get some good salad and rice.  Next up was a tour of the village.  It was a small village, but the chief took us to the sacred tree.  It was a 400 year old tree.  Back in the day (before the Christians came) when someone in the village died, they would take their body to the tree.  It wouldn’t be buried but instead laid upon the ground and the villagers would dance in a circle around the tree until it would decompose.  Once the maggots started to hatch on the body, they would scoop them up in a banana leaf, put it over the fire and eat them.   They believed that it was through this that the soul would live on forever.  If the chief died, his son would bury him vertically at the base of this tree.  He would stay with him for ten days an drum cooked sweet potato on his head.  After ten days he would scrape off the potato and scalp and head his dad’s brains. 

 

Then back through the village and some relaxing time on the beach.  We mainly played Go Fish until it was time to go.

That night was our second big night out.  We headed down to the waterfront to the locals place.  There was a local band that played a lot of Bob Marley and everyone was dancing.  A great night to wrap up the vacation.  We took a bus home and there were a few drunk guys in it, but one wanted to pick up his friend on the way – we didn’t mind so we pulled over to find him and a few of the guys got out.  Turns out that they decided he had too much kava and left him by a light pole for the rest of the night. 

#6 – The last day, was a short one.  Sally and I headed down to town to walk around.  Got to the markets to explore.  Their market is opened 24 hours a day.  I’m not sure who is buying bananas at 3:00am but at least if you were really craving one you could get it…unlike Adelaide. 

Then a quick trip through the streets and the duty free shops then it was back to mangos.  Got the transfer to the airport and we were on our way…sad to leave but a great holiday with the Non-Oz.