Vanuatu used to be known as the New Hebrides, it was a ‘condominium’ jointly administered by the French and the British until the Ni-Van people achieved their independence in 1986. Vanuatu has retained the best of both it’s French and British culture and most Ni-Van speak English French and Bislama (pigeon) and their own island dialects. The Author James Michiner based his book South Pacific and the fabled Bali Hai on Vanuatu. During WW2, Vanuatu was the assembly point for the US naval invasion fleet and many traces of this presence remain, for instance the airport, sunken warships, bits of planes and many, many Coke bottles and some suspiciously light skinned Ni-Van. The Benjor Resort on Devil’s Point Road still retains what was the officers club as it’s lounge room and bar. These days, Vanuatu’s main industry is tourism, building and off-shore banking…..no tax!
Efate is the main island in the Vanuatu archipelago of 80 islands and Port Vila is the capital city. From Port Vila visitors can travel to other islands in the chain and experience volcanoes, dive sites, uninhabited islands and traditional culture which is still strong in the Islands. The Vanuatu people ( the Ni-Van) are the most enchanting, friendly, funny, gentle folk you could ever wish to meet.
Being so involved with travel we just had to take a look at another resort that we had seen on the internet back home.
Paradise Cove Resort is located at Pango Point, approximately 15 minutes south of Port Vila town. This Vanuatu accommodation is a small boutique resort located in a private corner of paradise where you can truly enjoy the dream of a tropical holiday. With only 10 bungalows, Paradise Cove Resort has a maximum occupancy of 30 guests which ensures a very personal, flexible Vanuatu holiday atmosphere.
Paradise Cove Resort has a private beach, safe for swimming with some of the best snorkelling in the bay easily accessible through the jetty. At breakfast in the Sunset Hut, if you are lucky you can see dolphins and turtles while enjoying fresh croissants and fruit salad. Enjoy total relaxation with a book in your private hammock, sip a tropical cocktail while watching the stunning sunset, hire a bike to discover the jungle and village nearby or meet the friendly local people on one of the walking tracks through the village and peninsula of Pango.
The delightful staff were only too pleased to show us around after discovering that Elena was a travel agent. But as we were leaving tomorrow there really wasn’t enough time to check out the massage hut and relax for a while.
Racing back across town and past the Cascades Waterfalls that we visited yesterday, we wanted to explore another couple of suggestions made to us by our lovely host from the Travelers Budget Motel.
Havannah Eco Lodge and Gideon’s Cafe & Bar are owned and operated by local Ni-Vanuatu man Gideon George. They are situated along the shore line at beautiful Havannah Harbour, 30 minutes travel north by vehicle from Port Vila centre.
A stay or visit to Havannah Harbour is all about indulging in a true local Vanuatu experience. Directly in front is a beautiful protected reef that is home to turtles, many different reef fish and sea creatures. A truly wonderful snorkelling site. Parts of Survivor Vanuatu were filmed at Gideon’s Landing in Havannah Harbour, evidence of its beautiful surroundings.
Speaking of beautiful surroundings, another place that is literally right next door is the famous Wahoo Bar
The Wahoo bar is the newest Bar/restaurant in Vanuatu situated 25km from Port Villa in beautiful Havannah Harbour.
The Wahoo Bar is located in beautiful Havannah Harbour right on the water, enjoy the best sunsets in Vanuatu on our huge deck overhanging the water.
It has a huge deck over the water with one of the best sunsets in Vanuatu.
The Wahoo Bar prides itself on the freshest seafood in Vanuatu! Fresh fish caught daily.
As night was quickly falling upon us thoughts turned to food and the raw fish salad at the Wahoo Bar was only an appetizer. Thumbing through the brochure back in the motel room we just couldn’t make up our minds. So throwing caution to the wind we headed downtown for see what mood would strike us. Sunday night in Villa is very quiet. stumbling along the beach front we found a makeshift “big Screen” and a projector in font of what was a pizza bar. Perfect! Beer and Pizza and a movie in front of one of the best picturesque sunsets in the pacific, a fantastic way to end the day.
Getting back to the Travellers Budget Motel we find Jack under the thatched meeting house and strike up conversation. Chatting leaded to discussions of real estate and thoughts of investment. Over a couple more beers Jack mentions a Bakery that is cooking up croissants and doughnuts for the cruise ship tomorrow. They’re open (it’s now 9pm) and the next thing we are off on the Quad to buy some. I can’t believe that you can buy 6 large doughnuts straight from the oven for $1.80AU – yes that’s for 6! not each!
