We had looked forward to close friends, Dag Guest and Carol MacDonald visiting us for the last week of October – our first visitors. I met them off their flight into Port Vila and we flew up together to Luganville where Louise provided another friendly welcome. The photo to the right shows our visit to Million Dollar Point where we snorkelled above an assortment of military hardware jettisoned by the Americans after the end of World War 2. Our shared week involved some work for me interspersed with some great adventures.

On their first Sunday we went to Oyster island Resort for a BBQ lunch, after which we kayaked across the lagoon, up a long creek, paddle an’ all, to the huge ‘blue hole’ – an amazingly local experience. The photo on the right shows Dagy aclimatising to the warmth with a swim with a Tusker.

We took them up to a favourite spot up in Port Olry where we spent a night at Chez Louis. By this time Mr Guest was in fully relaxed mode as the photo on the right captures. This was pure relaxation. We swam with turtles. We dined, we drank. we visited a local blue hole for a refreshing swim. All the while being made exceedingly welcome by Silver, who acted as our local guide.

There was also a highly convivial visit to nearby friends, Jim and Linda. We combined resources so that after a swim and outdoor showers, there was adequate refreshment followed by a magnificent meal with a bit more ‘adequate refreshment’. A moonrise over the sea just added to the natural splendour of the setting. It was a great night and after fond farewells and goodnights, we walked home to our special house on the farm.

It was wonderful to welcome friends and show them our Santo world. Worth all the anticipation. Others are planning to come and many are welcome.