Torres Islands

This is the northern most group of islands of Vanuatu and are not far from the Eastern Outer Islands of the Solomons (Santa Cruz). There are 4 main islands and the clinic is located on Loh. The airstrip is on Linua which is separated by a shallow creek that can be waded across at low tide. They are very isolated and have no electricity and no mobile phone contact. There is a plane twice a week and a boat comes about once every two months but not to any schedule. 
Here the plane flies over Loh with airstrip on Linua behind.Whilst the plane is unpacked I rescue a carton of vegetables we bought at Mota Lava airport, spring onions and beans spilling out of the top. The transfer beach must be one of the most stunning in the world.

It is difficult to get things and the government employees have difficulty accessing their money from their bank in Santo. However there is an abundance of fish and many coconut crabs which command a high price but are becoming endangered. They rely on subsistence agriculture and seem to cope alright.

Lucy, a VSO nurse based in Sola, the main 'town' of the Banks was up here with her counterpart Colenso to give a 3 day workshop on STI and HIV along with the nurse Zebulon. 

Role play

Sulusulus for Zebulon, Lucy, Colenso and even us

We helped her out with a couple of sessions but Colenso and Lucy are a very polished team and facilitated an excellent 3 days.

We spent some of the time in the workshop and sometime enjoying the beauty of the Torres islands.








There was a bay across the island which we went to everyday. It was stunningly beautiful.

It was lovely having Alice with us and to show her some of the ways of the Melanesians.