We have recently returned from a wonderful holiday in Vanuatu! My whole family went to celebrate my mum’s 60th birthday. Mum and dad flew their kids and in-laws over and we had a brilliant time. I met my American brother-in-law and niece for the first time. I saw my sister for the first time in over 5 years! The cousins had a wonderful time!

It was wonderful hanging out with the family in such a relaxed way. Four-course buffet breakfasts at the resort were sensational! Bircher museli (my favourite), chocolate donuts (Georgia’s and Matthew’s favorite), eggs (Elora’s favourite) and bacon (Monte’s favourite), croissants etc. Certainly enough food to keep us filled up until dinner!

The resort has a kids’ club, which had activities and excursions. Our children spent a bit of time in there. Georgie made a ‘grass’ skirt and some jewelry. Matthew had a ball in the playground area and they both made friends and played with their cousins. It was fantastic… And we hired some babysitters several times as well.

We had many lunches by the pool, complete with various beachy cocktails. We went out to dinner several times, to local restaurants that have an excellent reputation for good seafood. We went to one restaurant that we had to go to a private jetty, press a call button and get picked up by a ferry to get there! I loved being with my family.

We went to Cascade Falls. We had to hike up the waterfall to get to the top vi didn’t think I would do it because I was carrying Elora. Monte came back though, after helping Georgie and Matty up. He carried Elora and I walked up to the waterfall, realizing it wasn’t too difficult afterall… Just wet! It was worth it at the top, to have the cascading water pelt down on me, unknotting any tension in my shoulders! Monte and Elora went under the waterfall too – such gorgeous father-baby moments! After our adventures in the waterfall, we hiked back down. This time I confidently carried the baby. I had a sense of accomplishment for doing something I didn’t think I could do.

We went out to sea in a glass-bottomed boat. We went snorkeling in the reef. I am grateful to my lovely sister-in-law, who looked after Elora so I could have a go in the sea. What a brilliant adventure! I saw real-life tropical fish in the reef! I dived down to follow them into their nooks and crannies. It was amazing. Georgia and monte went in the water too, as did my parents and siblings. Georgia had a ball in the sea!! Great times!

We went kayaking in the lagoon. Monte took Matty and I took Georgie. It was great fun – and such a workout too! We went swimming in the lagoon too, but I spent most of that adventure being terrified of snakes, or of stepping on a sea-slug (disgusting looking things!) or a starfish (a bit sharp!).

Shopping in Port Vila was fun, although shopping is not really something you’d go to vanuatu for, as opposed to Bali, for example. Vanuatu is not very cheap either – one vt is equivalent to one Australian cent.

I loved the time with my family. We are hoping to have another family holiday like that in a few mire years. It was special, bringing back memories of the family holidays of our childhood! We are so grateful for the generosity of my parents too.

Happy birthday, mum :)