Hitchhiking in Vanuatu: Mele Village
19th of September, 2025.
I might not get in real trouble whenever I don’t listen to my instincts, but I should be more careful and avoid these things.
When the people from the pick-up told me they were not going to Mele Bay but wanted to drop me off there, I should keep my foot down and didn’t accept the lift. I tried, at least, but as they insisted, I accepted it.
For the first few minutes everything seemed fine, but as I start telling the guy about my volunteer work, he told me he works with Immigration. Laugh. Well done, Lei! At least I’m glad he told me right away. So I tried to stall him. Luckily for me it was a short drive. He became a bit emphatic with his questions, mainly when I told him that I arrived to Vanuatu by sailing boat. Again, I managed to dodge the questions until we arrive to Mele Bay. When I got out of the cars and set my things by the bus stop, he stayed there for several more moments, and I thought I was doomed. After he was gone, I was left with some anxious thoughts about if I would be in a bigger trouble later. There’s nothing I can do about it right now, so I just start walking towards Mele Village, the biggest village of Vanuatu.
A Lady guides me until the chief’s office. He’s not there but two adorable people start helping me out. Mary is a young girl who started working here not long ago. Johnatan is a veteran who has done many different kinds of works before, mostly with hospitality, and after he retired, he was asked to come and help the chief.
As today is a very special date for the community, they are celebrating a 75th anniversary of chiefhood, we leave my backpack here in the office and walk to Mele Bay, where some festivities and ceremonies are happening. There are a lot of chiefs present and some of their family members. Mary tells me that this celebration was supposed to happen in Pele Island, but for different reasons it was changed to here.
After some long speeches and a cut of power, a feast is served for lunch. There are loads of local food, and even cake! There’s also lots of drinks, so I get a few extra juices for me. The food is great, and as we eat, I tell some of the people about my travels and journey. Later on, Johnatan would tell me that, in that moment, he thought that I was one of the few people he meets in life who he thinks to be special. How sweet!
When we get back to the chief’s office, we try to find me a place to camp for the night. By the beach, we had met a man, Johnny, known by everybody around, who told me I could camp by his kava bar. At first, I thought – OK – but as we arrive to the place (which happens to be right in front of the chief’s office), I’m not so sure if it’s a good idea, after all, people do go nuts sometimes after drinking kava. As we discuss of where to put my tent, a lady from the house just beside the bar, Dania, comes out and we start chatting.
Dania strikes me as a very strong and independent woman. She looks physically strong, like she could beat anybody’s ass. As we ask her about camping outside her house, she tells Johnatan, in a very calm way, that if I don’t mind sharing a bed, I can sleep inside with her, in her bedroom, so no need for camping. That’s awesome!
I spend a few days with Dania and some members of her family. Her mum and dad also live nearby and we go to visit them. They are pretty awesome too and I love their house, surrounded by fruit trees and plants and flowers.
I go to Friday Night Fire Show again, as I came back to Mele Bay basically only for that reason. I’ve got a crush in one of the dancers. He’s so cute and with a beautiful smile. During the fire show I get some leftovers pizza from the guy sitting beside me. He’s super drunk and his wife is not very happy, but I’ve got free pizza, yay!
Later on, when I talk with Dania about the guy, she tells me to know him, and I add him on Facebook. We char a little bit but as he’s only on his early twenties, I lost interest pretty quickly.
I keep on treating my wound with homemade remedies, but what was looking good before, while mum was treating me in Malapoa, is now getting worse again. But what to do… I have hope!
Dania and I spend time together and chat. She tells me about another time when she also helped a foreigner lady with a place to stay. For what I can see in the photos, apparently that lady could help around with food and stuff, some kind of contribution, which unfortunately I cannot, but I hope Dania is OK with that.
We go to the church on Sunday morning and have lunch at Dania’s parents’ house. They are lovely and the food is amazing.
On my last morning, I wake up with something which it seems to be an earthquake. It’s very gentle, just a little shake on the ground, but I can feel it. Soon later, when Dania wakes up, the first thing she asks me is: “Did you feel it?”. Wow! That was awesome and creepy at the same time. My first earthquake ever! She says that’s pretty normal to feel these low shakings once in a while around here. That’s crazy!
I leave on a Monday morning towards my volunteer work.
10 Years Around the World 