When you step off the plan onto the tarmac at Port Vila International Airport you realise instantly that there is a whole different world you are about to explore. On entering the airport building you are greeted by a group of musicians singing welcoming songs (even at 11:30 at night). The air is warm and the atmosphere friendly. The customs officers greet you with a big smile and even some happy small talk - a far cry from the reception at customs in Australia.
Depending on your holiday package, a representative of the hotel/resort you are staying at will be awaiting your arrival, also with a big smile. You will be escorted in a car or
mini bus, with your driver giving you all the information you need and more about the island. There are no poisonous insects or animals in Vanuatu, something I was very, very happy to hear.
If staying at the White Sands Country Club you will be driven over the resident golf course (usually arriving at night) to your hut which is set amongst a cocoanut plantation. You can hear the soft lapping of waves from the nearby ocean. The huts are two bedrooms with a sloaping roof, huge bathroom with double sinks and monsterous bath. There is also a pair of decorated coconuts in the fridge with some sort of brew inside.
After a peaceful sleep with only the gentle sounds of the sea to lull you and only a faint memory of street lights, traffic noises and pollution, you awake to a glorious sunny day. A short stroll to the main building to the restaurant/bar you indulge in a light breakfast of cerials, toast, fresh local fruits, juice, tea & coffee while looking out over the inviting pool awaiting.
Most resorts have a special bus service free of charge to take you into 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. The Ni-Vanuatu (as the locals prefer to be called) are all so friendly and you can be assured of excellent service and a welcoming reception wherever you dine.
There are a number of shops to splurge at, and some really cheap clothing stores. The local market is the best for souvaniers and artifacts as well as really cheap produce. You can pick up a large bunch of bananas for around AUD$0.30 or about £0.12. You can pick up a fabulous lunch of local fruits such as coconuts, bananas, mangoes, oranges and many more for a family of for for less than AUD$2.00 (or less than £0.80)
There are many wonderful tours readily available on the island of Efate (the main island of the 80 that make up Vanuatu). It is very very expensive to travel to the outer islands unless this is included in your holiday package.
Tours include:
* Glass bottom boad - 2 1/2 hour tour of the harbour with snorkelling and an underwater view of the boat. Includes refreshments
* Underwater Sub - 1/2 hour tour of the harbour on a small boat which you sit in the bottom and look at the fish & coral - like diving without getting wet.
*Cascades waterfall tour - half day tour. Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. Make sure your shoes are suitable with good grip. Includes a BBQ lunch of local produce. Take your swimmers!
*Round Island Tour - good one to start with. Shows you the island of Efate and what other things there is to do. Very good value for money. Includes morning and afternoon tea (picnic on the beautiful beaches) swimming and snorkelling). Stopover at a wonderful bar/cafe with reasonable prices, a fantastic view of the bay and mountains and a pool in the middle of the restaurant with hot volcanic spring water - absolutely indulgent!
There are many other fantastic tours you can go on - these listed are just a few. They are all 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!!
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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
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
May 22nd, 2004
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