VANUATU

Travel Tips

The Cultural Centre in Vila has moved into two new buildings right opposite Parliament House. There is a grand plan to make a larger museum complex comprising four or five buildings, although these have not been built yet.
Michael & Kate Quinlan, Australia (Jun 98)

There are still some villages living a custom way of life (about seven villages). These can to some extent be visited, but preferably with notice and acceptance of the chief of the village.
Henrik K S°ndergaard - Denmark (Feb 98)

Moving About

The departure tax payable when leaving Vanuatu increased in January 1997 to 2500VT per adult with children under 12 free and 24 hour stopovers free.
Michael & Kate Quinlan, Australia (Jun 98)

A new international airport will be finished in the middle of 1998. There are a few travel agencies which can get you around, but remember that telephones are rare on the island. It is rather easy (depending on luck) to take the morning (approximately 6-7am) or afternoon pick-up van between Lenekal and Port Resolution. Stop one of the pick-up vans and ask for the price for your transport (try to make a bargain). The vans drive occasionally and without a schedule, but are becoming more frequent.
Henrik K S°ndergaard - Denmark (Feb 98)

Gems, Highlights and Attractions

Tanna Island is one of the lesser visited places in Vanuatu, as most tourists seem to hang around Port Vila. However, if you have gone all the way to Vanuatu, it would be a shame to miss out on Tanna: the world's most accessible volcano, Mount Yasur, is there, as is the tame dugong ('sea cow') and numerous tribes, including the bizarre John Frumm cult. It is a strange island, and certainly off the beaten track, but it's worth the trouble to get there.
Ulrik Groenborg, Denmark (Jan 99)

Page 166: Imayo Waterfall: this waterfall is found deep in the rainforest and has only been seen by very few tourists (I was the first one!) Start with a guide from Mount Yasur Guest House who will take you to the local Imayo guide before entrance to the waterfall. It might cost 1000-1500 VT for guides and food and takes approximately three hours walking (one way), crossing the river several times... but it is worth it. Cannot be found without guides!
Henrik K S°ndergaard - Denmark (Feb 98)

Yarns, Fables & Anecdotes

I recently trekked across Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu's largest island. The primitive people who inhabit the island's rugged interior have had very little contact with outsiders; less than the Yali of Irian Jaya for example. The women wear nose bones and a modest skirt of Makarea leaves and the men, loin cloths. They practised some unusual customs. Hanging meat until it's rotten and catching the juices and maggots to be used as a gravy with their taro is a pretty juicy example. I always looked forward to their Sunday roasts! Though indifferent, they were still friendly but expressed they don't wish to be inundated with travellers. The reality is that they won't be because it was a real mission finding these guys. Any hardcore travellers would be buzzing from time spent with these people.
Rick Williamson (Nov 97)

Check out Lonely Planet's detailed travel information in Destination Vanuatu.