Far from home

Far from home

Well, that beats the A12. If I were at home, I would drink my morning coffee in our apartment on the fifth floor and watch and listen to traffic on the busy street and the crossing below. The trains would arrive and extend in the Newbury Park underground station and bring thousands of commuters to work into the busy and loud center of London. I'm not at home. I'm actually far away from home.

It is 5:30 a.m. and the sun has just rose. I drink fresh black coffee that is grown on site on Tanna - a volcanic island in Vanuatu. There is no milk, but I have added a lot of sugar to compensate for that. We noticed on our balcony in Surfside in the Pango district of Efat, Vanuatu. A strong, cool breeze blows from the sea and the flood is there. Behind us the moon is still high in the sky, while the sun opens over the horizon on the left and the clouds dipped into a gentle pink color. The waves break just a few meters below us.

"What could we want more?" Kia asks. "Maybe some milk," I say with a smile.

Jetlag made sure that we get up early. We arrived at two yesterday afternoon after a very long journey from London via Singapore and Australia. In total we spent about 24 hours on a plane and it took almost 36 hours from the start in London to landing in Port Vila over three continents. We were exhausted and urgently needed a shower, but the most important thing: we came safely with our luggage and, apart from somewhat spilled rice and curry, on my pants in the second flight, without breakdown.

After starting in Brisbane, I fell asleep and shortly afterwards awoke to turquoise reefs, sandy beaches and green islands. When I checked our flight route, I assume that it was new calmedonia, but I'm not sure. Our first look at our goal was pretty dramatic, but it was not just blue sky and dreamy white sand. It was afternoon, cloudy and it was raining.

After a rather long line at customs, a smile and a stamp of the official, we grabbed our waiting luggage from the conveyor belt, quickly exchanged a few dollars into the local currency (Vatu) and made our way outside to take a taxi for our accommodation. We found the island tropical, lush and green, warm and moist, but with a cool sea breeze that blows over us.

When we arrived at the hotel, there was a little confusion: we may have to change the room for our third night, but Samantha, the Australian owner, tells us: "Don't worry". We trust that she does it right, so we went to our room. It is located directly on the beach, airy and cool with a great view. The roofs are straw -covered and the decor is simple - just right.

We were absolutely shaken, so after a short shower and a short walk to the beach, we decided to take a short nap and get up for our dinner at 6 p.m. That didn't go according to plan. Twelve hours later we wake up for our "quick nap" and here we are - as far as never before from home. The first day "our trip of your life". That's it. I can't quite understand it. This morning we sit on our balcony, watch the sunrise above the Pacific Ocean and smell the sea air. If this is a sign that things will come, then ... Well, what could we like more?

We are here and we are happy. It will take a while for you to settle in, but do you know what? No worry. Let's go and have breakfast in the beach house.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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