The Frog Pond Farm correspondent has finally reappeared, taken pen to paper and edited some holiday snaps.
For a birthday treat this year (one of the big ones), I opted on an island getaway which meant catching 2 planes, a van, and a boat (think small). The boat I was certain wouldn’t make the destination – given it was pitch black, no visibility and going at top speed! Was I scared? Absolutely …
It was worth the day of travel though – as our holiday destination was Ratua Island in Vanuatu. A beautiful place to visit, perfect to relax and enjoy the amazing food and hospitality.
Of course holidays with my hubby always mean being active. Snorkelling, swimming, kayaking, walking and more kayaking. The snorkelling was amazing, not that I did it more than a couple of times though. It needs to be super hot for me to get into the sea, let alone put on a mask and flippers. Hubby threatened putting me in a lifejacket and then tying me to him. I had visions of bobbing in the sea while being hauled about and not having the opportunity for flight should I see something scary … not my idea of fun!
So as it transpired while he was snorkelling, I could be found lounging about with my nose in a good book.
Then of course there is kayaking – which I thoroughly enjoy. Although each time I participate I’m reminded that I’m not paddling correctly. Really? I was even more surprised this holiday when I was told to paddle faster, hubby’s competitive streak was showing. He was determined that we would catch our new island friends who had a distinctive lead on us .. and funnily enough appeared to be paddling leisurely. Not so in our boat! Did we catch up? No we didn’t – my fault of course! LOL
I also experienced my very first earthquake, which woke me from a slumber in the wee hours of the morning. My comment about the wind shaking our hut … was met with silence. However about 5 minutes later after consulting the iPad, hubby assured me that it was indeed an earthquake .. but of no concern. Really?
We saw turtles, friends riding horses in the surf and sipped on gin while watching sublime sunsets.
Ratua was a terrific getaway- the staff and management were fabulous!
Another perilous boat ride back to Espiritu Santo Island, a van and a plane ride to Queensland Australia .. where our destination was Crystal Creek northern NSW nothing like a couple of nights in the rain forest – literally!
Wood and bark …
Hubby again was organising the spare time and while there wasn’t a kayak in sight, we did some serious hiking!
To finish our holiday we motored to Alstonville to see our good friends Dallas and Kathy .. thanks for all those amazing prawn meals, the laughs, the great company, walks on the beach and for cleaning the lens in my camera!
Victoria Park Alstonville
Handsome heron at Chinaman’s beach ..
The Bonner’s … on holiday. Photo credit – amazing photographer Dallas Nock
Next post … you guessed it! Frog Pond Farm update … it’s still there you know!
Happy gardening