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V339 Vanuatu to New Caledonia 2011- Marsha's Vlog No. 2
Tanna island - and a volcanic ceremony.
The day is Thursday, September 29, 2011. The place is Port Resolution, Tanna, Vanuatu. The weather is prefect, not too hot, sunny with a few fluffy clouds and a slight breeze. The afternoons plans? Bounce around in the back of a pick up truck, for an hour or so, on barely there trails, through the dense jungle before climbing up, up and up some more. At the top? Mount Yasur, an active volcano. But this wasn’t your ordinary trip up to view the worlds most accessible volcano… No way.
With a bit of Søren Larsen magic we pulled off a wedding, at sunset, at the top of an volcano while it spewing red hot lava high into the sky.
Jim in his white shirt and Lesli in her white bathing suit and white lava lava were in perfect contrast to the black ash and sand we stood on. They were covered in flowers and an arch made of palm fronds was erected.
Captain Matt officiated the ceremony as the sun set behind the happy couple. First Jim gave a small speech explaining why they had chosen here to get married and how it was a perfect symbol of their relationship. The volcano took it’s cues perfectly sending molten lava and ash into the sky at the correct moments. Next they exchanged beautifully written vows (there may have been a tear or two) as the sun started to dip below the crest of the crater. The groom got a bit carried away and asked to kiss the bride before the rings were exchanged. It was a great moment! Matt then gave a small speech and then the rings, made from pieces of wire from the ship, were exchanged. Before much clapping, cheers, hugs and kisses we pulled out glasses and toasted to husband and wife with some champagne and a hip hip horray. It really was amazingly perfect. Simple and romantic. Jim and Lesli are both incredible people and it’s obvious they will continue to make each other happy for a very long time. Congratulations!!
After the ceremony we made our way along the rim of the crater to get the best view of the explosions as night fell. Pictures really don’t do it justice but we all clicked away in between squeals and moments of uneasiness as the projections of rock and fire seemed to increase in regularity and size as darkness crept in. Someone commented on how if this was in America or Australia you’d never be allowed this close… that and there would be a Starbucks and a McDonalds waiting for you at the bottom…
A Cheshire smile appeared between the ash clouds as the moon began to rise behind the volcano. The mixture of moon, twilight, dark earth and fiery magma was breathtaking. Litterally. Before each large blast a boom would come, shaking the ground. You could feel it in your chest and in your ears. Then sure enough a vent of hot air, ash and sulfur would come shooting out. Or a massive blast of boiling magma would burst through the crust exploding into the sky. The perfect fireworks to wrap up a perfect wedding.
None of us wanted to leave. It was a toss up of whether to stay and enjoy the show or feed the hungry tummies which were becoming slowly aware of. Eventually we made our way back to the trucks where our guides waited for us (most locals refuse to go to the top of the volcano) We piled back into our transport and made our way back down the bumpy track in the dark. Every now and again you could see the red glow through the trees.
Back on board we noticed a few extra bodies… members of a string band and a few local women with a large amount of pig. A wedding feast of course! The village provided the pig and our amazing cook Mary did the rest (including the wedding cake). It was a great spread and no one went hungry, that’s for certain. We danced on into the night before the newly-weds went off to their own honeymoon suite, a tent set up on the deckhouse roof. As the band left many of us stood there watching the glow of Mount Yasur glow brighter and brighter before dimming again so we could see the massive amounts of twinkling stars overhead. What an awesome day!
Early this morning we said a sad farewell to Isaiah Bong who is headed back to his home on Ambrym. We’re all going to miss him far too much. Isaiah, I know you won’t see this but it has to be said. You are as friendly and wonderful as they come. Thank you for everything you’ve done. We’ll see you next year!!
Tomorrow we’ll stow everything well and head off to Noumea, New Caledonia. A new country a new string of adventures! Before that though, there are a few of us who are going back up the volcano again tonight! And why not! You certainly don’t get this chance everyday.
Till next time, Fair Winds my Friends!
Marsha Book, Purser
See V339 Image Gallery Here