Vanuatu is just an awesome place to visit. Only having 3 days thanks to Elena getting a travel agent’s deal we just were getting a small taste of what this tropical Island just 2.5 Hours from Brisbane has to offer.

Travelling around the Island on the Quad bike works up and appetite. It’s well known that Vanautu’s beef production is of high standard and is recognised and valued for it’s organic qualities. So when dining out at Chill restaurant that evening I just had to try al little of each of the great meats, no I didn’t select 3 meals! The Mele of Meat is a great choice (Pork, Lamb & Beef). The Restaurant is located next to the Market Hall and above Port Villa’s main Supermarket. Overlooking the harbour we managed to secure a window seat and dined while watching the fish darting around the floodlit waters below as children tossed a few chips into the water.

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Tomorrow was planned over dinner and a Tusker, a locally produced beer that I was starting to get a bit of a taste for.

Sunday is a day of rest for Vanuatu, being a religious community you cold hear the church bell ringing in Villa and hear the occasional singing from the local church choir. The capital was quiet and with no shop open except the supermarket it made navigating the streets on the Quad a little easier. I LOVE this bike and don’t want to give it back!

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Grabbing a few snack from the supermarket I was surprised to see alcohol in the supermarket. In Queensland Australia it’s illegal for Supermarkets to sell Alcohol. However I was not able to buy any as today was Sunday and in Vanuatu it’s Illegal for the Supermarkets to sell on Sunday.

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Since we don’t have to hand the Quad back until tomorrow morning we have the whole day to yet again explore. I wanted to check out where the Concordia Cruise Ship will dock tomorrow, so headed back to Wharf Rd where we picked up the Quad. Turning left at the roundabout  the road leads directly to the container terminal and the row of shabby blue tarpaulin covered gazebos lining the edged of the now dirt road. Tomorrow this whole area will be buzzing with tourists getting their first glimpse of Vanuatu. I have to say I was a little disappointed. Talking with Jack back at the hotel that night there is plans to pour concrete pads and build thatched gazebos and make more of an island theme to the area and of course pave the dusty road.

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Cruising back through town Elena wanted to head to Hideaway Island and the part of the Island that we rushed past yesterday. You really have to keep an eye out for the dirt road that’s on the left about 2 km from the Airport roundabout. Hideaway Island is a small resort that opens its beach to the public. There is two ways to get there. By water taxi that runs every 10 minutes or wait until low tide and walk from the point across the sandbar. The water Taxi is complementary and run by the Resort. While waiting that 10 minutes you can sink a local beer at the bar right on the beach front. There are signs of a small market here too, but being Sunday I assumed the locals would be in Church as the stalls were all empty.

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Arguably one of the most popular tourist attractions is The Cascades Waterfalls. Situated near Hideaway Island and next to Mele Maat Village There aren’t enough words to truly describe this little paradise. The walk to the falls is currently being upgraded and makes for a good walk. If you’re in a wheelchair it’s unfortunately going to be difficult. The interesting part is once you have to climb the waterfalls of the lower section to reach the huge Cascades further up the stream. Be sure to crawl under the largest waterfall and into the small cave behind it.Taking expensive camera gear here is going to be heartbreaking if you drop your camera so make sure you secure it or have a waterproof case.

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There is a charge to enter the waterfalls but at 2000vt it’s a price that’s worth paying.

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