Travel DigesT, September 2010 27

T he secret is out. Vanuatu is the new French Riviera for Kiwis. Some 21 per

cent of arrivals are coming from New Zealand and these numbers are on the rise. Vanuatu shares with its visitors a unique blend of tribal communities, incredible culture, stunning natural scenery, pristine underwater environments, accessible volcanoes and a country where visitors are welcomed by beautiful warm people, the local Ni-Vanuatu. Vanuatu is a place to enjoy unspoiled landscapes and a reminder how wonderful life can be in all its simplicity. Vanuatu was actually voted the world's happiest country in the Happy Planet Index not so long ago.

With a reputation for offering memorable, fun and interesting experiences to suit all traveller expectations, tours and activities range from treks, waterfall abseil and mud-splash buggy rides, to deserted beach picnics, where visitors reconnect with loved ones, river outrigger canoeing, wreck dive explorations, to custom villages. There are events happening throughout the year, from cultural festivals, to game fishing challenges, marathons and relays, ocean swims, golf tournaments, horse racing and even the South Pacific's biggest music festival.

WHaT TO DOsailaWay Cruises operate from Havannah Harbour on the

north-western side of Efate Island, only a 45-minute coach ride from Port Vila, aboard the sailing trimaran Golden Wing. The full-day cruise has three stops - Hat Island, Survivor Beach and Paul's Rock, where the corals and marine life are about as good as it gets in Vanuatu. Sailaway Cruises are a mix of relaxing on deck as they sail or motor-sail between locations, followed by some serious snorkelling along fabulous coral reefs, a healthy lunch on board, time ashore for a jungle walk or beach excursion and then more snorkelling or scuba diving.

BakrO TOurs have just opened their office in Port Vila and are 100 per cent owned and operated locally. They offer a wide variety of tours and adventures suited for all age groups, including the Efate Round Island Safari, where you can experience beautiful Eton Beach, spectacular views, cultural village life, fire walking, a jungle canoe trip, a war museum (Vanuatu style) and education on the Island, its history, all manner of flora, fauna and wildlife. A final stop for afternoon tea and a swim at beautiful Havanah Harbour gives you the opportunity to snorkel. Bakro

Tours offer many other tours including a short Port Villa city tour for those with not much time, right up to tours on other Islands like Tanna and Pentecost.

Norm Madden and Racheal Balgowan took on their new role as owners of U-Power Sea Adventures earlier this year. Their

Only 10 minute walk from the heart of Port Vila town. Reasonable rates with quiet and comfortable atmosphere.

Offering a number of guest room styles both for short and long term guests.

Free wireless internet connection is also available at the poolside. An ideal location for a business conference

in a relaxed Melanesian atmosphere.

Tel: (+678) 22150 | Fax: (+678) 22678e-mail: reservations@melanesian.com.vuWebsiTe: www.melanesianportvila.com

The melanesian Port Vila. Vanuatua welcoming smile, friendly hospitality and personalised service are part of the culture at the melanesian Port Vila.

Vivacious Vanuatu

Only a three-hour flight from

Auckland, Vanuatu is an archipelago of

83 islands and a destination

increasingly providing a French getaway

experience, as saraH Weeks discovers.

Sailaway Cruises - to Hat Island, Survivor Beach and Paul's Rock

Vanuatu

28 September 2010, Travel DigesT

Phone: (678) 23425Email: poppys@vanuatu.com.vuPO Box 920, Port Vila, Vanuatu

www.poppys.com.vuwww.friendlybungalows.com.vu

Combo industry dealBook three nights or more at Poppy’s on the Lagoon, Port Vila and enjoy 20 per cent discount off unlimited accommodation at Friendly Bungalows on the island of Tanna. Available until 31 March 2011.

exciting Sea Safari Guided Tour lets you command your own Zego sports craft. Your water adventure will take you to stunning beaches and show you the many coves and sites in and around the Port Vila gateway. Start your tour through the main Port Vila anchorage, where you can view the million dollar waterfront mansions and the fleet of yachts anchored, before heading out of the harbour on your sea exploration. Guests are able to drive their own Zego boat, together with a companion in tandem. You may encounter a sea turtle, nemo or even a dugong!

Parasail 70 to 80 metres in the air while enjoying the beautiful Port Vila harbour marine life and breathtaking views with POrT vila Parasailing. No experience is necessary and their professional crew will guide you through your parasail flight. Flights last eight to ten minutes and your landing will be soft and dry as you are reeled back to our state-of-the-art parasailing vessel. It's a perfect family activity! You will fly high, stay dry and make memories to last your life time.

Buggy Fun provides an adventure of a lifetime with excitement and heaps of fun by offering visitors the discovery of Efate

on and off road, on open buggies and quad bikes that are very easy to operate. Listen to the operating briefing, put yourself in the driver seat, follow the guide who will take care of your safety and become a member of the happiest tourist community! You can also rent one of their cars, scooters or motorbikes. Guests can choose from a fun adventure in buggy Jungle tour to the beach, which covers

60km of roads, small tracks and beaches, scenic tours along 30km of small tracks to explore the hill side of Port Vila or a Jungle Safari, featuring 40km of bush tracks and different roads - an awesome tour!

vanuaTu HeliCOPTers is the key to unlocking all the amazing beauty within the islands. Whether flight seeing, a leisurely champagne luncheon on a secluded island, inspecting your property

Ten minutes from Port Vila, between panoramic hills and a blue water lagoon.We have over 500 acres of hills, rainforests and white sandy beaches to explore, with more than 50 horses and ponies.• Beginner to advanced horse rides:

Rainforest ride, Erakor beach ride,Waterfall ride, Sunset ride or Cultural ride

• Tube rides• Water skiing• Mountain bike trails

PO Box 1206, Port Vila, VanuatuPhone: (678) 23347 Mobile: (678) 56947Email: chap@vanuatu.com.vuWeb: www.clubhippiquevanuatu.com

U-Power Sea Adventures lets you command your own Zego sports

craft on guided safari tours.

Vanuatu

Travel DigesT, September 2010 29

purchase, impressing someone with a dramatic entry to a restaurant, viewing an active volcano, flying down a jungle canyon or being transferred to your resort, Vanuatu Helicopters knows how to find the real Vanuatu. Operating from the floating helicopter pontoon nestled in the harbour in Port Vila, their water taxi delivers you to the helicopter, or request to be collected from your resort.

vanuaTu seaPlanes offer flights which include a most pleasant 15 minutes of harbour cruising and transfers to and from the jewel of Vanuatu - Iririki Island. You'll also note that there are numerous unique features which guarantee you and your partner an unforgettable experience. They have designed three unique flights to astonish and please couples. The Southern Coast with its myriad of lagoons, bays and islands and mixture of local villages and the capital Port Vila, the Wild Western coast line with the remarkably photogenic western isles and Havana Harbour steeped in history and the Everlasting Efate ultimate flight, combining these two shorter flights for a one-hour island circumnavigation - their most popular flight.

WHere TO eaTTourism businesses are thriving in

the capital with new restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. k & T resTauranT & THai Massage is owned and managed by James Lee and is located in the Vila Mall building opposite Vanuatu National Provident Funds building, specialising in oriental Chinese cuisine and in a separate room a professional masseur offers Thai massage. THe rOCk Café, also located in the town's new Vila Mall building, serves delicious coffee and light snacks. savOur CHinese resTauranT, located near Le Lagon junction and Pango Road intersection, has recently opened. la TenTaTiOn is also a new restaurant in the centre of Port Vila, aimed at the upmarket client and luxury market, offering views of the harbour, an extensive wine and tapas list and a daily specials board. le Cafe Du village overlooking Iririki Island offers French Mediterranean dishes, traditionally prepared using fresh, local produce.

WHere TO sTayBreakas BeaCH resOrT is a

boutique property, located on its own white sandy beach on the Pango peninsula.

The property boasts an à la carte restaurant, beach bar, infinity-edge swimming pool and a swim-up bar. There are 36 fares with a beachfront or garden view options and the resort has also been expanded to include 16 new luxury villas. The villas are located right on the ocean and each features three individual king size suites, a private pool and courtyard suitable for groups and families, oversized terraces and sunbathing pavilions. A new bar is also being built.

Overlooking Erakor lagoon, MangOes resOrT has been designed to pamper you in privacy. A peaceful "child-free" escape, offering you bliss and relaxation. Set amidst lush tropical flower gardens and crystal clear pools. Mangoes features 29 luxurious individual bungalows, three

swimming pools, eight private pools and a well-regarded restaurant.

eraTaP BeaCH resOrT opened in December 2007 and has gained a reputation for its natural beauty, elegant villas and excellent service. With the addition of plunge pools to the Honeymoon Villas, a brand new Spa, beach side lounge pavilions for all villas and new furnishings throughout, it continues to impress. The resort has just 12 waterfront villas set amongst eight acres of tropical gardens and the best beaches on Efate Island. With limited guests and no development for miles around, privacy and personalised service is assured.

POPPy’s On THe lagOOn resOrT, set on the shores of Erakor Lagoon, provides four-star

30 September 2010, Travel DigesT

self-contained accommodation. The owner-managed property has a reputation for being meticulously maintained, friendly and very welcoming. The lagoon is safe for swimming and water sports and the gardens have been designed to show off a wide range of tropical plants. The resort is just a 15-minute walk to Port Villa’s town centre. The owners also manage Friendly Bungalows on the Island of Tanna, home of Yasur Volcano, the most popular tourist attraction in Vanuatu.

THe Melanesian POrT vila HOTel is a three-star hotel conveniently located close to Port Vila town and only 8km from Bauerfiled International Airport. The Melanesian staff are trained to focus on anticipating the needs of guests, ensuring rooms are kept exactly the way guests like it. They can also assist with travel arrangements within Port Vila and beyond, advise on local restaurants and places of interest and entertainment and they are available anytime, day or night.

Located in a beautiful unspoiled island paradise, erakOr islanD resOrT & sPa is an ideal place for those who

want to explore the natural beauty of the city. Situated on its own private 16-acre island, the resort is just 5km from the city centre. Set amongst tropical palm trees, the 21 self-contained unique waterfront bungalows offer spectacular views of the sea, as well as the melodious sound of water lapping at the shore. Placed on the crystal clear blue waters of Erakor Lagoon, the Roxy's Restaurant serves Vanuatu's most delicious food for you to feast on.

HOW TO geT THereair vanuaTu, the national carrier of

Vanuatu is the only airline to offer business class from Auckland to Port Vila. Be welcomed aboard their new Boeing 737-800 with a glass of French champagne and refreshing towel. Canapés are served at your leisure, followed by a delicious three-course meal.

"We take our in-flight experience seriously - from the moment you step aboard we want you to feel as though your holiday has already begun," says Air Vanuatu chief executive Joseph Laloyer. " Our Business Class chef has selected the

finest quality French, Australian and New Zealand wines to complement your meal and we have a great selection of cheeses on offer just before descent."

Of course economy class is pretty good too, with in-flight entertainment, complimentary meals and alcoholic drinks. A generous baggage policy, Qantas Frequent Flyer points and unmatched local knowledge. Beyond the capital Port Vila there is the world's most accessible active volcano on the island of Tanna and world class wreck diving on Santo. Both are easily reached with Air Vanuatu's brand new ATR-72 aircraft.

geTTing arOunDThere is a lot to do in beautiful Vanuatu.

The land of sunshine and warm friendly people! Melanesian TOurs is a highly personalised company providing tour and airport transfers directly to customers or through many hotels and resorts in Port Vila. They also provide free service and bookings of tours at the same price as the tour operators sell their own tours for in Vanuatu. (

Vanuatu