On the plane in Seattle, ready to begin our travels.

Finally in Vanuatu!

We arrived in Fiji at 5 am yesterday, and didn't fly out until 1030 pm. Our flight was delayed due to technical difficulties, then rescheduled. They put us up at the Trans International Hotel for several hours and gave us vouchers for lunch and dinner. We spent a little time swimming and lounging around the pool, took naps, and ate some delicious food.

 The plane that took us to Fiji

We got in to Port Vila a little after midnight this am local time. Fortunately our transport to the hotel saw that our flight was delayed and was there to pick us up. I was so happy to lie down and sleep in a bed that was to be mine for more than a few hours! We walked into town to do some exploring this morning, but it seems we were a little earlier than most, and it's sunday here so a lot of things were closed. Got some food at a little cafe in town, and had surprisingly yummy coffee. We found an adapter that will work with our 3-pronged laptop cords, and they had one to loan us here as well, so now we can both charge our laptops! Maybe even get some homework done...

I think we're going to take one more day to settle in and adjust to the new time zone, then go in to the hospital. Photos are really slow to load, so will do a few but most probably won't be posted until we're back.

Almost there!

Sara and I are in the Fiji airport, waiting for the final leg of our trip. I'm am rather tired of being on planes, but the flights have been fairly uneventful. Didn't get much sleep on the last flight, wasn't feeling great, but feeling better now. Nothing like warm, tropical air to wake you up! It's about 6 am on Saturday, which is a little weird since we left on Thursday in Seattle!

Just a quick update before my battery dies, I will post some pics when I get it charged!

Thoroughly medicated

Picked up 3 meds and got 5 vaccines today. I have mosquito repelling clothing spray to help fend off those pesky, disease carrying things that seem to love me, and will of course be taking mosquito repellent for my skin as well. I looked at the Air Pacific website, and it seems that I can check 2 bags for free! I will just have to check with Alaska to make sure they will honor that as well.

The one thing that we could still really use donations of is chux pads (waterproof disposable underpads). Anyone have some they'd be willing to part with? 

Getting closer...

Feeling like I may actually get everything together and ready for this trip! Got my passport and have a phone appt set up with the Travel Advisory nurse at Group Health next week (phone appt, that's just funny to me). Next on my list: call the airlines to see about getting my extra baggage fees waved.

Had a raffle last week which brought in a little money, so that was good. My aunt ordered 6 stethoscope/blood pressure cuffs kits to donate to the hospital! I'm so thankful for that, as that seems like the most needed item right now. I think the main thing left that we need is chux pads. We have gotten so many donated items, I feel so blessed.

Yay donations! Thank you!

I'm really excited that we've gotten a few PayPal donations, and we have a variety of item donations! Thank you so much! The main items we still need are blood pressure cuffs, electronic fetal monitor probes, and chux pads.

Our trip is coming up quickly, just a little over a month. I'm not actually sure how long the flight is, since it just gives departure and arrivals times, and I haven't taken the time to figure it out with the time zone changes. Short answer: it's long. We leave 5:00 pm April 22nd from Seattle and fly to LA. Then from LA we fly to Nadi airport in Fiji, arriving at 5:30 am on April 24nd. Kinda crazy that we gain a whole extra day! It's just a 40 min flight from Fiji to Port Vila.

It's hard to believe I'm almost done with my current site, then after Vanuatu the clinical part of schooling is done!

I am a student midwife, quickly approaching graduation in June. I am preparing to travel to Port Vila, Vanuatu from April 22 to May 15th. I will be traveling with my fabulous classmate Sara, and we will be volunteering at Vila Central Hospital, caring for birthing women and babies.

I just applied for my passport yesterday! My airline tickets were purchased months ago, and a payment has been made toward our lodging. We are currently trying to gather much needed donations for the hospital.

List of most needed items:
Small chux pads
Blood pressure cuffs
Digital thermometers
Non-sterile gloves
Disposable gowns
Ultrasound gel
Glucometer
Electronic Fetal Monitor Probes

We also welcome Paypal donations!