Read Also: When women earn more than men
Consider spending just a few days in Efate, Vanuatu and you will have an experience of the cultural, aquatic, culinary and other adventures on Vanuatu’s main island.
I’m following a man in a grass skirt who is blowing into a conch shell. Suddenly a posse of fierce tattooed warriors leap out of the jungle brandishing spears and clubs. In an instant, all trappings of the modern day evaporate and I’m immersed in the traditional life of Ekasup Cultural Village on the island of Efate in Vanuatu.
Over the next hour, I learn how to catch garfish using the web of a golden orb spider stretched across a y-shaped stick, how to trap wild pigs and chickens, preserve bananas, how to get iron supplements from coleus plants and, perhaps most interesting of all, what the feathers signify in the men’s stunning headdresses. Each feather represents the size and colour of the pigs they own. My guide Sifo has five long curving feathers of brown, black and cream. He’s a wealthy man, and also a fabulous storyteller and fine musician in the string band.
“I hope this experience helps you touch the heart of Vanuatu,” he smiles broadly. It certainly does.
What to do in Efate
Spending just a few days in Efate, I manage to squeeze in a kaleidoscope of cultural, aquatic, culinary and other adventures on Vanuatu’s main island.
Read Also: The mistake we all make when interpreting other people’s actions
Many Aussies only know of Vanuatu as a quick stop on a cruise ship itinerary in the South Pacific but it is well worth coming to visit in its own right. With white sandy beaches, world-class diving and fishing, exquisite blue lagoons, dramatic waterfalls, active volcanos and an ancient culture, there is so much to enjoy.
Located about 1,750 kilometres northeast of Queensland, this 80-plus volcanic island archipelago is renowned as one of the happiest places on Earth. Its 250,000 Melanesian residents speak both English and French (before independence in 1980, it was jointly administrated by the French and the English), as well as the colourful Bislama Pidgin English and several tribal languages.
While the remote island of Tanna is renowned for its Mount Yasur volcano (the world’s most accessible active volcano) and the island of Espiritu Santo for its dive sites (the Calvin Coolidge is the world’s most accessible wreck dive), blue lagoons and deserted beaches, the more developed island of Efate also has a terrific diversity of holiday offerings.
1. Diving and snorkelling
Tranquillity Island Resort on Moso Island, a short boat trip off the northeast coast of Efate, offers terrific full day diving expeditions and full and half day snorkelling trips in Havannah Harbour. You’ll see lots of fish, soft and hard corals and, if you are lucky, dolphins and maybe even a dugong. You can also visit its hawksbill turtle rookery which protects and releases turtles back into the wild. There are rustic cabins too, if you want to stay longer.
Read Also: Sunday night strategies to beat Monday blues
Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary in Mele Bay offers scheduled snorkelling and dive trips, where you can even post a letter at the underground post office.
2. Swimming
Enjoy the Blue Lagoon on the East Coast, a gorgeous blue hole filled with soft aqua fresh water mixed with seawater. You can swing off ropes, kayak and picnic here as well. Some of Efate’s most popular beaches include Mele Beach with its terrific Beach Bar (come to the Friday night fire dance) as well as Eton and the aptly named Honeymoon and Paradise beaches.
Read Also: How To Talk To A Girl You Never Met Before And Impress Her
3. Fishing
Efate has some of the best game fishing in the South Pacific. Just a few kilometres off shore there’s Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, spearfish, sailfish, wahoo, mahi mahi, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna and yellowfin tuna.
Ocean Blue Fishing not only offers a range of game fishing options but also has charming accommodation at Trees and Fishes Anglers Retreat on Havannah Harbour.
Every May, the Blue Marlin Lodge in Port Vila harbour organises the Vanuatu Marlin Classic.
4. Waterfalls
Well-known waterfalls include Mele Cascades and Rentapo River Tour but the most spectacular are the tucked-away Lololima Falls on land owned by the Catholic church high above Port Vila. Atmosphere tour operator has the only permit to access it via mini bus.
Read Also: 5 tools every natural hair needs
5. National Museum of Vanuatu
Set in a thatched-roofed building across from the national parliament, this excellent museum features terrific displays of wooden slit drums, outrigger canoes, shell jewellery and ceremonial headdresses. Guided tours include demonstrations of sand drawing and playing traditional instruments.
6. Secret Garden Cultural Centre
The Secret Garden Cultural Centre offers fascinating insights into Vanuatu’s diverse tribes, customs, history, cultural beliefs and traditions in a lush garden setting. Enjoy live cultural shows on Tuesday and Thursday Island Feast nights, which also feature custom magic, singing and dancing.
7. Okeanos Vanuatu
Take a two-hour sunset cruise around Port Vila harbour on the Okeanos Vanuatu, a traditional Polynesian-styled double-hulled sailing canoe, which runs solely on wind, solar and coconut-oil power. You’ll learn about traditional ocean voyaging, hear custom stories from different Vanuatu tribes and enjoy fresh fruits from the market.
8. Activ
Activ stands for Alternative Community Trade in Vanuatu and is a thriving grass-roots organisation that works with local communities to help develop their handicraft trade. They also produce virgin coconut oil, honey and, most exciting of all, they have a small chocolate factory which makes exceptional dark chocolate from cacao grown on the islands of Santo, Epi and Malakula.
Come and visit the thatched roof bungalow in the hills behind Port Vila, where you can buy beautiful handicrafts and carvings, visit the chocolate factory and enjoy chocolate tastings and watch the coconut oil being produced.
9. Roi Mata Tour
Read Also: 10 Reasons your breakup made your life better
Take a day tour of Chief Roi Mata’s domain. The last paramount chief of central Vanuatu’s domain is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Vanuatu. It consists of three early 17th century sites, Roi Mata’s residence on Efate, Fels cave on Lelepa Island where he was poisoned and the site on Artok (Hat) Island where he was buried with 50 members of his family. Guides will explain oral traditions and archaeology and describe Roi Mata’s social reforms and conflict resolution which continue to this day. Immediately after his burial, around 400 years ago, a prohibition prevented people from residing there which led to the development of a unique biodiversity of rare and endemic plant and animal species, which you will discover on a guided rainforest walk.
10. Horse riding
Enjoy a guided horse ride through the lush hinterland of Efate, between the mountains and the lagoons. You’ll ride through coconut plantations and cattle farms dotted with tropical vegetation and enjoy spectacular views of the coast. At the end of your ride you can go swimming with your horse in the lagoon. You may even hear them laughing!
11. Markets
Port Vila’s covered waterfront market (also known as the Mama’s Market) is open around the clock from Monday morning to noon on Saturday. Women from the countryside bring in their fruit and vegetables to sell and there is excellent island raised beef and fresh fish and shellfish too. Vendors in the extensive handicrafts section sell hand-dyed sarongs, traditional wood carvings, woven baskets, shell jewellery and much more.
12. Duty Free shopping
Vanuatu is one of the last genuine duty free ports in the South Pacific. As incongruous as it might seem, you can buy Swiss watches, French cosmetics and champagne, Tahitian pearls, high class leather goods and fashion labels at below Australian retail prices at several stores in downtown Port Vila, the capital city.
Source: vacationsmag.com
Consider spending just a few days in Efate, Vanuatu and you will have an experience of the cultural, aquatic, culinary and other adventures on Vanuatu’s main island.
I’m following a man in a grass skirt who is blowing into a conch shell. Suddenly a posse of fierce tattooed warriors leap out of the jungle brandishing spears and clubs. In an instant, all trappings of the modern day evaporate and I’m immersed in the traditional life of Ekasup Cultural Village on the island of Efate in Vanuatu.
Over the next hour, I learn how to catch garfish using the web of a golden orb spider stretched across a y-shaped stick, how to trap wild pigs and chickens, preserve bananas, how to get iron supplements from coleus plants and, perhaps most interesting of all, what the feathers signify in the men’s stunning headdresses. Each feather represents the size and colour of the pigs they own. My guide Sifo has five long curving feathers of brown, black and cream. He’s a wealthy man, and also a fabulous storyteller and fine musician in the string band.
“I hope this experience helps you touch the heart of Vanuatu,” he smiles broadly. It certainly does.
What to do in Efate
Spending just a few days in Efate, I manage to squeeze in a kaleidoscope of cultural, aquatic, culinary and other adventures on Vanuatu’s main island.
Read Also: The mistake we all make when interpreting other people’s actions
Many Aussies only know of Vanuatu as a quick stop on a cruise ship itinerary in the South Pacific but it is well worth coming to visit in its own right. With white sandy beaches, world-class diving and fishing, exquisite blue lagoons, dramatic waterfalls, active volcanos and an ancient culture, there is so much to enjoy.
Located about 1,750 kilometres northeast of Queensland, this 80-plus volcanic island archipelago is renowned as one of the happiest places on Earth. Its 250,000 Melanesian residents speak both English and French (before independence in 1980, it was jointly administrated by the French and the English), as well as the colourful Bislama Pidgin English and several tribal languages.
While the remote island of Tanna is renowned for its Mount Yasur volcano (the world’s most accessible active volcano) and the island of Espiritu Santo for its dive sites (the Calvin Coolidge is the world’s most accessible wreck dive), blue lagoons and deserted beaches, the more developed island of Efate also has a terrific diversity of holiday offerings.
1. Diving and snorkelling
Tranquillity Island Resort on Moso Island, a short boat trip off the northeast coast of Efate, offers terrific full day diving expeditions and full and half day snorkelling trips in Havannah Harbour. You’ll see lots of fish, soft and hard corals and, if you are lucky, dolphins and maybe even a dugong. You can also visit its hawksbill turtle rookery which protects and releases turtles back into the wild. There are rustic cabins too, if you want to stay longer.
Read Also: Sunday night strategies to beat Monday blues
Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary in Mele Bay offers scheduled snorkelling and dive trips, where you can even post a letter at the underground post office.
2. Swimming
Enjoy the Blue Lagoon on the East Coast, a gorgeous blue hole filled with soft aqua fresh water mixed with seawater. You can swing off ropes, kayak and picnic here as well. Some of Efate’s most popular beaches include Mele Beach with its terrific Beach Bar (come to the Friday night fire dance) as well as Eton and the aptly named Honeymoon and Paradise beaches.
Read Also: How To Talk To A Girl You Never Met Before And Impress Her
3. Fishing
Efate has some of the best game fishing in the South Pacific. Just a few kilometres off shore there’s Pacific blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, spearfish, sailfish, wahoo, mahi mahi, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna and yellowfin tuna.
Ocean Blue Fishing not only offers a range of game fishing options but also has charming accommodation at Trees and Fishes Anglers Retreat on Havannah Harbour.
Every May, the Blue Marlin Lodge in Port Vila harbour organises the Vanuatu Marlin Classic.
4. Waterfalls
Well-known waterfalls include Mele Cascades and Rentapo River Tour but the most spectacular are the tucked-away Lololima Falls on land owned by the Catholic church high above Port Vila. Atmosphere tour operator has the only permit to access it via mini bus.
Read Also: 5 tools every natural hair needs
5. National Museum of Vanuatu
Set in a thatched-roofed building across from the national parliament, this excellent museum features terrific displays of wooden slit drums, outrigger canoes, shell jewellery and ceremonial headdresses. Guided tours include demonstrations of sand drawing and playing traditional instruments.
6. Secret Garden Cultural Centre
The Secret Garden Cultural Centre offers fascinating insights into Vanuatu’s diverse tribes, customs, history, cultural beliefs and traditions in a lush garden setting. Enjoy live cultural shows on Tuesday and Thursday Island Feast nights, which also feature custom magic, singing and dancing.
7. Okeanos Vanuatu
Take a two-hour sunset cruise around Port Vila harbour on the Okeanos Vanuatu, a traditional Polynesian-styled double-hulled sailing canoe, which runs solely on wind, solar and coconut-oil power. You’ll learn about traditional ocean voyaging, hear custom stories from different Vanuatu tribes and enjoy fresh fruits from the market.
8. Activ
Activ stands for Alternative Community Trade in Vanuatu and is a thriving grass-roots organisation that works with local communities to help develop their handicraft trade. They also produce virgin coconut oil, honey and, most exciting of all, they have a small chocolate factory which makes exceptional dark chocolate from cacao grown on the islands of Santo, Epi and Malakula.
Come and visit the thatched roof bungalow in the hills behind Port Vila, where you can buy beautiful handicrafts and carvings, visit the chocolate factory and enjoy chocolate tastings and watch the coconut oil being produced.
9. Roi Mata Tour
Read Also: 10 Reasons your breakup made your life better
Take a day tour of Chief Roi Mata’s domain. The last paramount chief of central Vanuatu’s domain is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Vanuatu. It consists of three early 17th century sites, Roi Mata’s residence on Efate, Fels cave on Lelepa Island where he was poisoned and the site on Artok (Hat) Island where he was buried with 50 members of his family. Guides will explain oral traditions and archaeology and describe Roi Mata’s social reforms and conflict resolution which continue to this day. Immediately after his burial, around 400 years ago, a prohibition prevented people from residing there which led to the development of a unique biodiversity of rare and endemic plant and animal species, which you will discover on a guided rainforest walk.
10. Horse riding
Enjoy a guided horse ride through the lush hinterland of Efate, between the mountains and the lagoons. You’ll ride through coconut plantations and cattle farms dotted with tropical vegetation and enjoy spectacular views of the coast. At the end of your ride you can go swimming with your horse in the lagoon. You may even hear them laughing!
11. Markets
Port Vila’s covered waterfront market (also known as the Mama’s Market) is open around the clock from Monday morning to noon on Saturday. Women from the countryside bring in their fruit and vegetables to sell and there is excellent island raised beef and fresh fish and shellfish too. Vendors in the extensive handicrafts section sell hand-dyed sarongs, traditional wood carvings, woven baskets, shell jewellery and much more.
12. Duty Free shopping
Vanuatu is one of the last genuine duty free ports in the South Pacific. As incongruous as it might seem, you can buy Swiss watches, French cosmetics and champagne, Tahitian pearls, high class leather goods and fashion labels at below Australian retail prices at several stores in downtown Port Vila, the capital city.
Source: vacationsmag.com
