Two weeks on the road - celebrating Rhi’s first onsen experience - how good is getting nude with people you will never see again - ARRIGATO SAPPORO @rhiohanlon ❤️
6 years without Cal.
I was mums carer for the last 14 months of her life, we openly spoke about death in a way to prepare us all for mum to leave this world.
When the day came, mum had all three kids around her bed at home as she somehow snapped out of her morphine induced delerium to say her goodbyes, letting my oldest brother Shan know he saved her life when he was born (Shan & mum could have written countless books about their adventures together).
The 14 months of time with mum was not nearly enough, and when she passed, even though it was her time, I wasn’t at all ready to say goodbye, I selfishly would have done anything to continue being her carer.
Mums funeral was a terryfying thought, I took off for a two week van trip to Victoria, clearing my head after a tough last month.
There was a huge sadness bubbling away that I desperately avoided (for years after).
On the day I had zero capacity to stand and speak, I was a pressure cooker of emotion and had no words to express what I needed to say.
My uncle Don stood for all of us, family and friends - he and mum always had a strong bond and Don often referred to mum as his best friend.
Don put his feelings down on paper in the form of a poem that shook the Nymboida Hall in laughter and tears. I was so proud of Don.
I wanted so bad to get up, I felt like I had all my emotion and grief knocking on the door, terrified to open it and reveal myself.
What really got me was how many friends and family came up to me at the end of the funeral, each with a reoccurring story just like the last - all these friends and family expressed to me (in confidence) they wanted to stand and speak but they felt they had lost their best friend and were too emotional to speak- my first thought was if I had found the strength to speak it would have given all these people the nudge to say how they felt.
Years later I’ve come to the conclusion it was impossible for me or any friends to have spoken & Don stood proudly for all of us, saying the same thing we all felt- we had collectively lost our best friend.
6 years later I’m writing this in a way to reflect on my journey holding this grief, and to let it go.
Cheers to Cal, my mum ❤️
WE LOVE PIP ❤️
Please read and share for our mate @pipsplate
To our friends, family, and our extended incredible community. After a year of living with back + nerve pain that could silence even the toughest rockstar, Pip went in for back surgery six weeks ago. We all had front-row seats, cheering her on. However, the show flopped and the pain is still there and completely debilitating, and so the sequel surgery is now booked.
Here’s the kicker: this surgery is costing a $50,000.
Pip being Pip, she never wanted the spotlight on her. She’s stoic, stubborn, and allergic to asking for help. Something I know a lot of us can relate too.
If you know Pip, you know she’s usually the one plating up like the headline act she is - hunting, fishing, cooking, holding space, and keeping the whole show on the road. She’s a pillar in our community, the kind of person who never misses a beat for anyone else.
Now it’s our turn to step up as the support act.
Every dollar is an encore clap, bringing her closer to a pain-free life and back to the work and dalliances she loves... and misses greatly. Whether it’s the price of a coffee, a concert ticket, or a five-star rider, it all adds up.
Let’s help Pip swap back pain for a comeback, and get her on stage (and on her feet) again.
Donate, share, cheer her on from backstage... or the stadium nosebleeds.
Thanks a trillion and big love from her number one groupies,
xx Bec + Wal
(ps. if you read this Pip, please still be our friend).
Link in Bio ❤️❤️❤️
NAKAMAL
A meeting place for all the tribes of Vanuatu.
Guided by the hosting chief, the tribes built a massive bamboo ship that was filled to the brim with contributions from different island tribes -usually massive root vegeatables like Manioc (Kasava), Yam, Taro, Sweet Potato etc, that’s devided at the end of the gathering.
A massive boar awaits its slaughter when the ship is dismantled.
Each afternoon (on an empty stomach) Kava is consumed as it is believed to help individuals explain themselves confidently & clearly.
Kava tastes like muddy water that has a bit of a numbing sensation like Sischuan Pepper, often chased with a bit of bread or local fruit, in our case it was a Panama Berry from a near tree.
Markets had little to no plastic, Pandanus baskets are woven on the day and last a few days before breaking down.
Islanders of Vanuatu are really lovely humans, there’s very little to no crime and big smiles everywhere you turn.
Our family left all agreeing the villagers of Tanna are just so happy with what they have, and what they have is more than enough.
TANKIU TOMUS
TANNA ISLAND
Mount Yasur is Tanna’s active Volcano.
The perpetually heated fresh water river that runs out of it (hot all the way to the sea at Sulfur Bay) was a big trip highlight, said to be healing - the whole family believes 🫠❤️
