Home Is Where the Heart Is

Well, in case you DIDN'T know (which I'm sure you did!) I just got back from New Zealand after being there on a month's holiday (hence the reason I haven't updated this blog for a month!).

I had an absolutely AMAZING time doing all the touristy things (even though I have a bit of a thing against tourists ;)), meeting new people and catching up with old friends and distant family. But while I was doing all this, I had home, Vanuatu, in the back of my mind...the whole time. I dunno...it was kinda like I wished I was back here instead of in New Zealand. It wasn't that I was having a horrible time there or anything; quite the opposite, in fact..but it was just...I wanted to be HOME.

The fact that 'home is where the heart is' proved itself when we were on the plane, about to land in the Port Vila International Airport. Corey had this excited look on his face, Tione was screaming 'LOOK! Hideaway!', 'LOOK! The Grand Hotel!', 'LOOK! The cruise ship's in!' and me...well, I was pretty much jumping out of my seat in excitement. Mum and Dad reckon we were more excited at the end of our holiday than at the beginning.

It was so weird, coming into Vila. Everywhere I looked, it was SO exciting and different...even though nothing had changed. It wasn't that busy, it wasn't hip and happening, there weren't cool, new fashions or fancy shows being announced...but it was Vanuatu...it was home!

It was like culture shock reversed. I was more shocked at how awesome and amazing this place was than I was with New Zealand, the big cities. I thought our house was HUGE and the smells, the sounds, the feel of things were just so cool!

This is the first time I've felt that in my life. Despite being away from my friends and family in Australia and New Zealand, despite our holiday ending, despite the fact that I was about to start school with about 2 weeks of work to catch up on, I was happy.

And what this all proves....well, Vanuatu....Vanuatu, now THAT'S my home!!!