Paradise – Vanuatu Style

12 Monday Aug 2013

Tags

Havannah Harbour, Hideaway Island, Klehms Hill, Shanti Havannah, Vanuatu

Paradise with a capital P.

Yes another post on Vanuatu. I just cannot help myself, this is such a beautiful country and I have so many beautiful photos I want to share.

We have seen so much

Here are just a few of the highlights.

We visited Hideaway Island which is a short “ferry” ride from the mainland. It costs 1000 vatu which covers return trip on the ferry plus use of the beach lounge chairs. Hideaway Island is the most perfect spot for snorkelling or scuba diving.

Just above Port Vila is Klehms Hill lookout where we met the head of the village here and his grandchildren. He showed us around his little piece of paradise and was happy to chat for as long as we wished. What an amazing place to live with its billion dollar views.

Just up the road from us on Havannah Harbour Francesca has opened a new Mediterranean restaurant called Shanti Havannah. This restaurant which is predominately Italian is stunning. We stopped in for a coffee and stayed for lunch. The views, meals and décor are first class.

Havannah Harbour, Vanuatu is the most amazing place to stay. It is one of the most relaxing holidays I have had. If you enjoy swimming, snorkelling, boating or any water sports, this is the place. It is totally unspoiled and just so natural.

Havannah Harbour – Film set for Survivor

06 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Havannah Harbour, Vanuatu

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Gideon's Landing, Havannah Harbour, Havannah resort, Shanti hut, Survivor, Waahoo bar

Havannah Harbour is around the other side of Efate from Port Vila and was once quite remote. Things have changed over the years. There are a few facilities you can enjoy these days, although the area itself is still quite isolated from infrastructure.

The view from Gideon’s Landing

Havannah Harbour, where I am staying was the location for the series of Survivor Vanuatu several years ago. It was – Survivor: Vanuatu — Islands of Fire

The base for the set was at Gideon’s Landing which is 5 minutes from the house. We met up with Gideon George the owner of the landing and the Havannah Eco Resort.

Gideon has lived here all of his life and told us so much about this gorgeous area. He also offered to take us out in his boat and show us the harbour however we did not have the time and had to decline. Gideon’s resort which consists of 4 waterfront Bungalows was built after the filming of the television show and is about 30 mins from Port Vila. (Ps. my photos were all taken over a few days, the skies change so much here.) The weather has been perfect the whole time with rain at night.

Waterfront bungalows

The location for this eco resort is just so lovely. The bungalows have all facilities.

Just up the road from here is the Havannah Resort where you can enjoy a lovely meal and enjoy magnificent views.

On this side of the island you really do need your own transport. There are the little buses but I prefer to be independent.

Further up the road, there is a gorgeous little WWII museum (in a small hut) run by a local character which is well worth a visit.

There are market stalls on the sides of the road where you can buy bananas and locally grown produce. Just to stop and chat with the people who run these stands is a pleasure as they are always to friendly and happy to have a chat.

Hello from Vanuatu

29 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by Lyn Douglas in Vanuatu

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

Efate, island, Port Vila. Havannah Harbour, tropics, Vanuatu

Hello from Vanuatu
I flew into the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila from Australia. It is about a 2 3/4 hour flight out from my home town of Brisbane. Port Vila which is on the main island of Efate is the largest city. Vanuatu is some 1,750 kilometres (1,090 miles) east of northern Australia.

Vanuatu_on_the_globe_(Polynesia_centered).svg

Vanuatu is an island archipelago consisting of approximately 82 relatively small islands.

The official languages are Bislama, French and English. The currency is Vanuatu Vatu.

We are staying at a lovely house on Paradise Bay at Havannah Harbour. There is no power in the area so the electricity is created by a generator here at the house which is powered by solar. There is no tv, the water is bore water and cooking is with gas.

The house from the beach

Looking down from the house

It is so naturally lovely and so very peaceful.

My first day of exploring was driving part way around this island. Our first stop was at the Havannah resort for coffee.

Havannah Resort

Then we continued to drive through and stop at lovely little local villages along the way. About 80% of the locals live in the rural areas in small villages of about 50 people.

The locals or NiVan are always walking, probably they are not able to afford cars. As you drive by, they always wave and we always respond. It is the custom to always wave and say hello.

We stopped at several road side markets and stalls.

Although it is a very poor country the people seem to be so happy and just so friendly.

We stopped for lunch at the Beach Comber Resort. It is anything but a resort, however it was an experience. It has hot springs inside the “restaurant” and there was a band playing, very humble but delightful. It started to rain so the band came inside.

We stopped to take photos often. It sure is a photographer’s dream location. The vegetation is so lush and tropical, the road side stalls so colourful, the signs so interesting and it is beautiful.