Farewell Ambrym

Below is the farewell poem we read out during our last ‘kakai’ to the three special families that we spent the most time with. We shared an amazing last meal with them including roasted pork, yam lap lap, yam pie, manioc lap lap, rice, fruit and juice. The three families all said some touching words and gave us some beautifully hand crafted gifts. Sandy from our adopted family carved an absolutely stunning serving board made from local hardwood and on the bottom engraved two local sand drawings and our names. He also made salad servers to match. These people really do have hearts of gold and astound us with their warmth, generosity and love.

Farewell Ambrym

Well what an amazing year it’s been,
We’ve had the chance to live out our life long dream,
Our dream to live with the people of a faraway land,
We’ve found laughter, friendship and a good life near the black sand,

We have so many memories to lock away in our hearts,
Of which you all play a very strong part,
There are so many skills that you have patiently taught us,
Sharpening a bush knife, scratching a coconut and taking off it’s husk,

When we first arrived we didn’t know a thing,
Laan, Elsie and family, thanks for settling us in,
Thanks also for building us a great place to stay,
Relaxing on the verandah was a great way to end the day,

With Rose, Jacob and family we’ve shared the top of the hill,
With you being close by, warm and safe is how we feel,
Rose, you’re a superwoman juggling to many things,
The Council, the Clinic and yet still have time to grow beans!

Sandy, Krema, Iris, Donal and Nevin,
You have been like a family to us sent from heavin,
Thank you for the day where we planted the mango tree,
We hope we can come back and enjoy the fruits with our pikinini,

The end of our time on Ambrym is here,
I think we will certainly be shedding a tear,
We will miss you all dearly and never forget,
This place and all the beautiful people we have met.