Mt Yasur is situated on the South East coast of Tanna and the Airport is on the West coast. We heard you could walk so we decided that that's what we were gonna do. 35 to 40 km across the island from the ash plains to the lowland forest and heading up over the central highlands before heading down the other side. No roads here folks only Shank's pony. We loaded up with water, munchies and headed off. Crossing the ash plain was like walking on the moon. Its surface cut through like a cake at one end by a river. Once across this, it was jungle paths all the way. As we headed up into the foothills we passed a village. Kids waving at us then ducking out of site all shy and giggles coming from the bushes. Chap came out to say hello. His name was Alex and he seemed as if he was the boss. After a chat, Alex decided to guide us up through the hills. Probably thought we were nuts and rather than see us get totally lost he'd show us the way. Good job - we would have been hopelessly lost without his help. Up and up and up we went, hot as hell, sweat dripping off us. Stopping on the way to point things out, Alex guided us over the top. He cut pieces of sugar cane for us along the way and we bumped into members of his family. At points you could look out and see Mt Yasur in the distance and feel a cool breeze on your face. And then on we went up and up. We finally came to the top and Alex stopped pointing to the path in front of us. It was time to say good bye, Happy and sad we shook hands and started down the other side . We passed through one more village before reaching the road and got taking to a chap call JJ. He was the local interpreter used on a TV series called 'Meet the Natives'. A whole load of the village had been flown to the UK and had a right time by the sound of things. Small world indeed. Anyway, like all good trips this one finally ended after about 8 hours hard trekking, me and Diane stepping onto the road only to find another pukka little bakery in a hut. A hot loaf after a hard day perfect :)
Tree roots bleached and dried by sea and sun lie on a deserted beach
Woaaa i almost put my hand on this little puppy clambering round the rocks.
Standing at the base of Mt Yasur on the ash plain
Canyons washed through the ash showing the depth
Alex our guide for half the day lead us over the chain of hills that runs like a spine through the middle of Tanna. The paths were steep, narrow and humid.
Fresh air at last. Looking back toward Mt Yasur. We're both stoked at how far we had come.
Alex cutting fresh sugar cane for us. You bite chunks off and chew away at it. Just full of sweet refreshing sap, full of natural energy, not sickly as you would expect.
Some of Alex's family we met on the way up, they let us have fresh oranges they had just picked. The little kiddy in front is holding a type of very slow buring wood that smoulders all day. When they need fire they light it from this. It was his job to look after it !
Sitting under a giant Tarrow plant
We came across this beautiful wind swept Banyon tree on top of the hill. We had been in the jungle for hours and it was magic to find this field with fresh air and sunshine in the middle of nowhere. We sat and drank water, basking in the sun for an hour before heading off.
On the other side of the hills now we came through another village. Like a lost world.
Local Posse, whos that in the back row ?
Tree roots bleached and dried by sea and sun lie on a deserted beach
Woaaa i almost put my hand on this little puppy clambering round the rocks.
Standing at the base of Mt Yasur on the ash plain
Canyons washed through the ash showing the depth
Alex our guide for half the day lead us over the chain of hills that runs like a spine through the middle of Tanna. The paths were steep, narrow and humid.
Fresh air at last. Looking back toward Mt Yasur. We're both stoked at how far we had come.
Alex cutting fresh sugar cane for us. You bite chunks off and chew away at it. Just full of sweet refreshing sap, full of natural energy, not sickly as you would expect.
Some of Alex's family we met on the way up, they let us have fresh oranges they had just picked. The little kiddy in front is holding a type of very slow buring wood that smoulders all day. When they need fire they light it from this. It was his job to look after it !
Sitting under a giant Tarrow plant
We came across this beautiful wind swept Banyon tree on top of the hill. We had been in the jungle for hours and it was magic to find this field with fresh air and sunshine in the middle of nowhere. We sat and drank water, basking in the sun for an hour before heading off.
On the other side of the hills now we came through another village. Like a lost world.
Local Posse, whos that in the back row ?
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