Vanuatu

The starting point of my journey is the countries capital, Port Vila, which is on the third largest of Vanuatu’s 82 islands, called Efate. Port Vila is the biggest and most populous city in Vanuatu, with around 40,000 people. It’s also the main tourist hub and generally the first stop for visitors to the country.

The place where I set up camp while in town was the Coconut Palms Resort. While it’s not one of those huge resorts with a private beach and swim up bars, you don’t have the big price tag that those luxuries come with. But you do get really personal service, nice rooms and great food.

But there was barely enough time for me to drop my bags off, because picking me up for a mountain bike tour around the island was Pascal, from Vanuatu Ecotours.

You’ll quickly realise that Pascal is an extremely energetic guy. He’s also really passionate about Vanuatu and its beautiful natural environments. That’s sort of what this tour is all about….you more or less get to see parts of the island only accessible by bike, all while learning about life in Vanuatu and the flora and fauna that abounds.

A little bit saddle sore I made my way to Ekasup Cultural Village, about 5 minutes drive from Port Vila. I went there to get a better understanding of life in Vanuatu, and after being greeted by the chief and his warriors, all dressed in traditional clothing, they took me through the village.

It’s a very educational experience, where the guides explain the cultures and traditions of the indigenous people. But the thing I was most interested in was cava. Not only how it’s prepared, but also the role it plays in the daily lives of the locals.

The next morning I went shopping in the markets with a local chef, and then learnt how to cook a fantastic fish dish. Then it was off to Mele Cascades Waterfalls, located in the hills about 15 minutes from town.

It’s a really popular tourist site, with a series of bubbling waterfalls that drop into deep plunge pools. It looks like something you’d find in a theme park. The stream is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and walking trails that lead you through the amazing landscape, ending at a massive waterfall. It’s a great place for a swim and to escape the heat and humidity.

But I wasn’t here for a relaxing dip, instead, I met up with Troy from Edge Vanuatu, to try something a little bit more adventurous – Abseiling down a 50m waterfall!

The next leg of my journey was a short flight from Port Vila, to Luganville, on the island of Espiritu Santo. It’s the second largest city in Vanuatu with about 12,000 people calling it home.

It’s a ship wreck from the war that brings divers from around the world to the island, and it was also one of the main reasons I included Luganville in my plans.

The wreck I’m talking about is called the President Coolidge. It’s pretty much the biggest and most accessible wreck dive in the world….believe it or not, it’s just two hundred metres from shore, so it’s easy to do a dive on it. The Coolidge is a massive wreck, about 200m long. So to see the whole thing you need several dives over a few days, and the services of a great guide.

The place I was staying at while in the area was called Bokissa Eco Island. As the brochures say, it’s a little wild, and really private, perfect for those that want to escape the hordes and get some peace and quiet. While there are all sorts of luxuries at the resort and the bungalows are sensational, it’s the activities on offer around the area that makes Bokissa the ideal place to base yourself while exploring the surrounds.

One of the best tours they run out of the resort is a trip to a place called the blue hole. It’s an active way to see some of the gorgeous nature and pristine environments the area is known for.

Next I left Luganville and made my way south to one of the smaller islands called Tanna. It’s only 40km long and 19 km wide, but while it might me small, it certainly packs a punch, with lots for visitors to see and do.

Once on Tanna you’ll quickly discover why it’s a favourite with tourists. Apart from being highly fertile, it’s also a very dramatic landscape. The coast is surrounded by volcanic rock faces, broken up by gorgeous beaches. There’s a fringing coral reef that provides a home to masses of fish life and helps protect the island from the surging ocean.

The place I called home while on the island was the Tanna Evergreen Resort. It sits in the middle of the range, and offers a range of room styles. They also have a restaurant on site and run tours to all the best parts of the island.

I went on a trip to a place called the Blue Cave, where you have to hold your breath and swim through a small crack in the cliff face  before emerging in a huge, cathedral-like cave. The boat ride takes you past gorgeous stretches of coastline where steep, volcanic rock faces give way to the clear blue waters of the Pacific ocean.

Early the following morning I went for a drive around the island to explore what traditional life is like and also to checkout a volcano. The first stop of my island exploration was at a special place called Yakel Village. It’s what’s known as a Custom Village, a place where you can see firsthand how the people of Vanuatu have lived for centuries, without western influence. It’s a snapshot of the past and an experience that comes highly recommend.

Back into the truck and it was onward across the island, heading to Mount Yassur volcano. The drive there takes you across a desolate ash plain where nothing grows. The only feature is a small waterway that has carved a snaking path through the dust. The banks of the stream reveal countless layers that indicate the many times Yassur has erupted and spewed ash across the landscape.

Arriving at the volcano I was full of adrenaline and energised by the explosive sounds of the constant eruptions. Mount Yassur hisses and rumbles as molten lava is thrown into the sky.  It’s like Mother Nature is putting on a fireworks display. There’s no wonder why this is Vanuatu’s number one tourist destination.