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Vanuatu, or “Land Eternal,” are a group of 83 islands that are part of the Melanesian chain. Here, islands are a contrast between glamorous duty free shops and casinos with timeless traditional villages. You can go horseback riding in the sunset along the coast, play a round of golf, scuba dive in the surrounding waters or relax on some of the South Pacific’s finest beaches. For the adventurous, local guides take you on an active hike through the mountainous terrain where you can pass through local villages and interact with tribal chiefs on your way to the peak. The ni-Vanuatu people are warm, friendly and sincere.  Their music is a distinct part of the local culture not to be forgotten. Come to discover the intact tribal culture, relaxing atmosphere, active volcanoes and pristine beaches.

Top Cities in Vanuatu
Port-Vila has some nice beaches and swimming,..
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Not too many travelers make their way to Ambrym..
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Few travelers choose to stop at Tanna when..
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Few travelers make their way to Epi when..
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Pango isn't a popular stop for travelers making..
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Efate isn't a popular stop for travelers making..
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Questions answered about visiting Vanuatu
Henryk
2008
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Is Vanuatu worth a 1 week visit? What to do there, is it just palms and beaches, or is there other things to do/see as well?
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Travel Tips from people who've been to Vanuatu

Tanna Island lies at the southern edge of the Vanuatu archipelago. The writer Paul Theroux calls it "the oddest island" because of its mysticism, geography and cultural oddities. Black magic is practiced around the village fires, the lush jungle feeds off the fertile volcanic soils of Mt Yasur despite the lava & ash spewing forth to repel it and the locals await the second coming of the American deity, Jon Frum. It is wild, frontier adventure travel at its very best! We lodged in a rustic, though oh-so-romantic, banyan treehouse at the Jungle Oasis at the foot of Mt Yasur on the eastern side of the isle. We wandered around the villages, combed the beaches and played football during the day. Each night, we walked to the volcano rim and watched the best fireworks on Earth. The air would displace and shudder like the bullet in The Matrix. The sonic boom hammers you and sucks all other sound from the air. And then the bombs fly, swirling hundreds of metres into the night sky with a trailing jetstream of molten red. It goes on for hours, mesmerizing, perpetually shocking, a natural show of infinite wonder and humbling power. Lenakel is the dusty, offbeat capital of Tanna on the western side. While waiting for our flight back to Port Vila, we spent a few hours on the town beach. A group of teenage girls welcomed us to Tanna with fresh papaya and stories of island life. A bunch of other kids, who had walked 4 hours to the beach to wash their clothes, skipped their chores to build castles and play tic-tac-toe in the sand with us for an hour (we offered to help with their laundry afterwards but they said we'd be hopeless at it). It’s the kind of gorgeous life experience that leaves an indelible imprint upon your aroused mind. Romanticism aside, some basic tips for Tanna ... The Vanuatu Hotels and Positive Earth websites have lots of info on the local bungalows if you do want to pre-book some stuff (like the Banyan treehouse at JO), it’s pretty easy to get around the island (minibuses, hitching on the back of trucks etc) except on Sundays, your hosts will be able to arrange most tours and activities at whichever accommodation you choose, take a warm jacket when you're climbing Yasur, buy some basic snack supplies in Vila (or bring from home), no ATMs on Tanna so bring cash (bargain on about US$70/couple/day all up - depending on accommodation). And beware the most infectious disease on the island: smileyitis. Symptoms are constant grinning, laughing and feelings of euphoria. And they seem to last for months after exposure, particularly when you're writing posts about Tanna on travel forums. Go figure, eh?

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When you go to Vanuatu first you notice its stunning nature. In some point, when breathing that fresh air and admiring that beautiful turquoise sea, you hear this strong *kiss*noice and if you're a woman you might wonder: "Who dares to call me so obscenely?!" But don't get offended, the locals use this call instead of a whistle. They even stop the taxis with it! (I don't know how common this is elsewhere in the world, but it was new to me and I wish I could do it)

People in Port Vila and Vanuatu general are very beautiful and when you get to know them you find them very relaxed, funny and happy people. They'll propably introduce you to the rootdrink 'kava' which tastes and looks like mud and makes your tongue go numb and if you're brave enough to drink few glasses, you should become quite relaxed or should I say fairly merry. You can find it in stores, but if you want to try it with the locals just follow stormlamps.
You should also taste Vanuatu's special treat: coconut crab. It is absolutely divine, but quite expensive too. It is also selled fresh sometimes in the Marketplace, where you find all the basic and exotic veges, fruits and flowers.
You'll propably notice that all the imported products are very often more expensive than in your own country. That's because there can be imported only a little, 'cause there's not much buyers and it's quite far at the ocean. Vanuatu is still quite primitive country.

People in Port Vila like to have fun and part of the fun is very rich nightlife. You can change from bar to bar by taxi, bus(blue or black van) or public transport(back of a truck). Small trips costs usually 100 vatu (less than 1 euro).

You get most of the place when you are open to new things and be a little adventurous.

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Maat people moved to Efate Island about 50 years ago from South East Ambrym... when a local volcano was in danger of erupting and local gardens were continually covered in volcanic ash. Maat people now live on Mele land; hence, they refer to their village as Mele-Maat. When entering the villages if you show respect and wear island dress then you will be very warmly received. The people are very friendly but watch out for the local dogs (they will surround you and try to attack because they are not treated like pets) and if you carry a stick to defend yourself then you should be fine... all the kids will come running to chase the dogs away if you get into real trouble. There is Solomon's grave at the front of the Presbyterian church... he was a man who helped bring Christianity into his community and is highly respected for that. There is cheap backpacker accommodation available in the village... see Pastor Fred Weiran at the Presbyterian Church for information... get a bus from Vila to Mele-Maat from outside one of the Chinese stores (just ask a local exactly where to wait and they will help flag down a Mele bus if you ask) then just ask one of the local kids for directions to see Pastor Fred or Rossmi Lik to arrange accommodation. Mele-Maat village is located directly opposite the Cascades waterfalls... one of Efate's major natural attractions... a very beautiful part of the world. Take your insect repellant or (preferrably) Avon's skin-so-soft oil which will stop all insects coming near. Nightlife is mostly in Vila but you might get invited to a local party. Most village activities stop for weddings and funerals. Such an interesting place if you are interested in cultures.
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Recent Updates for Vanuatu
1 year ago
1 year ago
What's there: Airport Pick Up, Airport Shuttle, BBQ, Babysitting/Child Services, Bath, Bike Parking, Breakfast Included, Car..
Julie D. wrote a tip on Port-Vila
1 year ago
It's a five stars hotel so you can stay all the time enclosed and do whatever.. (More)
Julie D. wrote a tip on Tanna
1 year ago
Friendly Bungalows a place next to the volcano it's very rustic you've got the.. (More)
1 year ago
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