Vanuatu (South Pacific Islands)

Advantages: White sandy beaches, crystal clear ocean, coral reefs and colourful tropical fish, coconut palms, the list could go on forever.
Disadvantages: humidity from hell in the wet season

When the opportunity to visit Vanuatu arose I jumped at it. I was aware that it was the rainy season and it would be hot and humid ( I don't do hot and humid very well) but the timing couldn't be helped as my husband was attending a seminar. Nothing I could imagine could prepare me for the initial blast of hot air.The heat coming off the plane as we walked across the tarmac made it almost unbearable and thankfully it was slightly cooler in the airport, ...
...fantastic way of experiencing life Vanuatu style. These are 12 seater mini buses with a red B on the number plate. For 100 Vatu you can go anywhere around Port Vila and for travelling further out it will cost 200 Vatu. It costs 100 Vatu for each one-way trip and no matter where you are, just stop under a shady tree by the road and wait. In town look for a blue sign with a B on it. A bus will turn up and stop for you, jump onboard and tell the driver ... Read review

Advantages: Lush rainforests, turquoise waters
Disadvantages: Numerous earth tremors

...halfway between Australia and Fiji, Vanuatu is a Y-shaped Chain of about 80 islands in the southwest pacific. According to geologists, massive tectonic plates in the earth crust collided at this point to form lofty mountains that are mainly underwater. The peaks of the tallest of these rose above the ocean surface creating Vanuatu’s rugged islands. Today, the geologic crunch and grind triggers numerous earth tremors and fuel nine active volcanoes. ...
...European explorers first arrived in Vanuatu in 1606. Fierce tribes inhabited the islands and cannibalism was widely practiced. At the time, forest of sandalwood, an aromatic wood prized in Asia, carpeted the landscape. Smelling profit, European traders systematically plundered the trees. They then turned their hands to blackbirding. Blackbirding involved recruiting indigenous islanders to work on sugar and cotton plantations in Samoa, Fiji and Australia. ... Read review

Advantages: paradise, slow paced, friendly people
Disadvantages: expensive to travel to the outer islands

...Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu (Efate Island). The city of Port Vila is more like a small country town by western standards. Everyone you pass will smile and say hello or if they are over the other side of the street they will wave. There are quite a few places to eat in Port Vila. The local beef and seafood are so fresh and tasty and very reasonably priced. There are a couple of places you can get great coffee with views out on the harbour. ...
...fantastic and well worth it. ** Overall impression of Vanuatu ** Vanuatu is a paradise island with fantastic food and fantastic people. It is very reasonably priced. We did not have one bad experience the whole time we were there and plan to go back again and again!! ... Read review