Charlotte's Pass in the Snowy Mountains

Had a weeks skiing in Charlotte Pass staying at the historical Kosciuszko Chalet built in the 1930's.  The Chalet has a lot of old world charm a great bar and fire, food and nightly piano bar music. The best thing is you ski in and out so you're right there on the snow. 



Mt Kosciuszko

Charlotte Pass is the highest skiing resort in Australia at 1765m,  from the top of the chair you can see Mt Kosciuszko not far in the distance.  Even though it was the end of the season and spring had come early there was still good snow and on our second day some fell leading to most kids sticking their tongues out to catch it. 



View from the 'Top of the World' ski run

Just getting there is an adventure after arriving in Perisher via the ski tube the over snow caterpillar transports you through the valley to the quite Charlotte village - no ques or harried day trippers.

This was the kids second trip to the snow so Hollander was whizzing down the mountain using the POMA and chair well, and Oren who finally got it was doing the same by the end of the week.  No fear of speed or falling down!

We on the other hand are still advanced beginners freaked out by having no brakes but starting to get the parallel skiing and the fun hockey stops.



Arriving at Bullocks Flat

 

In the over snow transport

The scenery travelling to Charlotte Pass



The oversnow infront of the Chalet



Helmets on ready to go skiing

 

Looking down onto the Chalet and village

 

Heidi or tea cosy?



Hollander in the snow gum

Oren enjoying the magic carpet



Oren snow ploughing nicely!



Hollander going up the chair

'Pizza slice' stops yeah

We had the carrot and the eyes but the snow man didn't want to come out - oh well next time.

Bye Charlotte Pass

Erakor Is

Spent a lot of time on Erakor Is just loved how relaxed it was, the drinks, dancing and movies on the beach, the traditional Melanesian dinner and the water sports.  I had a funny encounter with a tropical fish that was obviously territorial or confused,  it kept charging my goggles then darting off only to return with gusto.  Made me laugh - underwater!

Partaking of the Pina Colada

Movies on the beach



Catching the ferry



Melanesian feast on the beach



The great band

Dancing on the beach

Hollander's turn next under the limbo stick

That's the end of the story for the Petersen's in Vanuatu.
Bye for now,

Susan

Hideaway Is

Went snorkling on Hideaway Is one day which is a little coral island 30 mins out of town.  Its famous for the underwater post box and water proof post cards - so we had to do that, pretty good service arrived 1.5wks later.  

The kids really enjoyed being dropped off at the edge of the reef with a noodle for support to snorkel back following the colourful coral and amazing variety of fish.  The guide with us dived down to pick up a cushion star fish which looked like someone had inflated with a bike pump!

Hollander got the hang of clearing her snorkel so excitedly dived down to tickle some clown fish darting in and out of a sea anemone - Nemo like.




 Waiting for the ferry

 

Here it comes



The pontoon near the under water post office 50 m's off shore and 1m under water.



The coral beach was hard to walk on



The abundant fish!



Looking back from the reef






Chill in at the bar



Mummy being sun safe



Gear on ready to go



Dragging the view finder board determinedly



Mele Cascade Falls

Caught a taxi to the falls at Mele village 10 mins out of town and had a fun time clambering to the top, lost a shoe in the process. The water was Cristal clear and the pools blue, loved standing at the base of one of the falls for a water pummelling massage. Imagined ourselves to be Bear Gryll's 'surviving' Vanuatu. 



Its cold!







Mummy was visualising head injuries! and we hadn't reached the top yet



Swimming in one of the pools

Ekasup Cultural Village

Warrior protecting his village

The welcome

We visited Ekasup Cultural Village, which was great.  When you arrive you walk through the forest to the village but hidden in the trees were villagers baring weapons and trying to threaten us which gave the kids a thrill.

The village chief then welcomed us in, after which our guide talked us through the culture and customs of traditional Melanesian life. We were shown how they weave, hunt, fish, make medicine and then we sampled some fire cooked foods.

Making a chicken trap with coconut scraps

None of the spiders are poisonous, in fact they are very useful as the guide said 'a toy with no batteries' for the
kids and its webs are used to make garfish nets.

Weaving demonstration

Trying the cooked root veg and banana on banana leaf plates

The village band - water filled bottles, tea chest with string as a substitute for a double bass!