Tag

river

Browsing

Canoeing up a River in Santo, Vanuatu

Hey Guys, I had so many positive responses from my blog post about our trip up the river that I decided to make a movie 🙂 Enjoy!

First off, as a reminder we found someone to take care of the kids and all three adult couples left Port Vila and went to Santo. Santo is well known around the world for it’s stunning white beaches, long wide roads and natural beauty. As we drove from the South part of the island to the North part of the island we saw an old sign advertising a canoe ride up a river to a hidden blue hole for $10 a person.

Immediatley we had our driver pull over and we hopped out of the back of the truck. We found the man who was running the canoe business and he told us all to pile into a rickety little hand carved canoe. We were sure that we’d sink it, but he insisted that we would be just fine.

We began our journey down the river and it was more than we could have ever imagined. Total silence, except the sounds of the lush green jungle the river wound through and the splashing of the the paddles. We canoed and sang hymns and it felt sacred and unreal.

When we finally arrived all that had been promised was displayed in utter magnificence before us. There amongst the various shades of green was a deep sapphire blue pool of water. It was amazing.

After staring at it for a long time we changed into our swimsuits and went swimming. The cool water with the hot sun and the freshly picked tropical snacks that were provided truly made an experience that we will never, ever forget! Today in our world schooling family, I was the one who received all the lessons.

What is the most significant lesson you have learned from a worldschooling experience?

Silencing our Fears

There are not even words to describe the perfect day we had today.

As we flew down the road yesterday bumping along in the back of the truck we saw beautiful canoes all carved in the custom style lining the road. The sign said blue hole and our driver told us that if we paid 1000vt ($10USD) then we could have a ride up the river. It sounded pretty fun and so today when we passed the canoes again we stopped to take a ride.

A rusty chain hung around the gates and nobody was to be seen. Not to be discouraged our driver said he knew where the owners would be. So we went on a bit of drive checking in and out of different village houses until we finally found someone who knew where the owners were. I guess they were napping in the grass. After explaining that we would like to canoe up the river on one of the boats and paying him the advertised fee we all climbed in. It was simply amazing!

Once we got settled and the chatting and laughing subsided, (with our group that rarely happens) Ben (our guide) paddled us up the river. It was like magic. The birds were singing in the trees and the only sound was the paddle hitting the water. The words running through my subconscious brain spilled into my consciousness.  Peaceful. Tranquil. Magical. Sacred. If nature could pray it was like witnessing the prayer of the earth to Papa God. It really was a extraordinary.

We got further and further into the jungle and now vines were dangling in seemingly mid air with oversized pods and spiders and other creatures living with them. The white sand of the river bottom was visible the entire time and schools of tiny  fish made appearances here and there, dancing around the boat and going on ahead without us.

After probably 20 minutes of paddling, and much sooner that we wanted we turned the corner and there was the blue hole.  A glistening pool of deep turquoise blue in the middle of the jungle.

So out of place amongst all the greens and browns that we had been seeing, the blue hole looked like a secret hiding in the forest.

After playing, rope jumping, feeding fish and exploring the surrounding gardens and paths we persuaded Ben to take us all the way down the river and to the open ocean. It was nearly just as beautiful  as our trip up the ocean and a few times during the trip Dan or Eric or Lindy burst out in song unable to express the reverence for the surroundings in any other way.  Sometimes I wonder what it would do for the soul to be constantly surrounded by so much beauty. It certainly agrees with my soul!

I also considered how lovely we thought the river was and not knowing what was at the end of it, all of us could have happily stayed and played in the shallow pools all day. However, just like God’s plan for us, He knows what is ahead, and He has much greater, and grander plans for us than we could ever imagine.

How could my life be transformed if I would quiet down for while and trust in the Almighty?