Efate Island, VANUATU
Airing Date: Jun 26th, 2006
Here's a question for you: Where can you get beautiful scenery, a trail ride through dense rainforest, luxury accommodation and a thrilling descent down rock faces? Vanuatu of course!
The islands we now call Vanuatu were home to Melanesians for over 2,500 years. Then, in the 15th century, European explorers and missionaries began arriving and the islands changed forever.
Located directly west of Fiji, Vanuatu is famed for gorgeous islands, active volcanoes and a very-intact Melanesian culture. While most of the outer islands maintain their traditional Melanesian lifestyle, the impressive city of Port-Vila on Efate Island is crammed with colonial buildings, expats, duty-free shops, casinos, open-air markets, upscale restaurants and tourists.
The island's 4-star Le-Meriden Resort is set within 60 acres of lagoon front property amongst tropical gardens and complete with its own private island and white sand beach.
Only 15 minutes from Port Vila, Le Meridien offers Vanuatu's most deluxe accommodation. Ten exclusive overwater bungalows, or 'Fales', are designed in charming Melanesian architectural style and feature local materials combined with contemporary designs.
They offer a master bedroom, spa bath, spacious living area and a private sundeck with direct access to Erakor Lagoon. The resort also boasts the island's only international casino.
The "Cascade Capers" is Edge Abseiling Adventures' most scenic tour. It brings people down a beautiful waterfall in two pitches - the first passing a ledge with a cave underneath supported by a moss-covered pillar.
The second sees you abseil down again, this time crossing underneath the flow. The tour usually lasts five hours in total including the 30 minute transfer, 3.5 hours of activity, photo viewing and refreshments and the return transfer.
There is an 8metre practice cliff at the top. Guests usually do this two or three times before tackling the big one. The tour ends in a rock pool at the bottom and each person has the choice of stepping in and getting wet up to their waist, or jumping in the 1metre water and getting soaked!
Much of the rugged interior of the main island of Efate is privately owned. However, Pascal Guillet runs ecotours for the adventurous, taking groups to otherwise inaccessible areas, up rivers and canyons in canoes and on rainforest walks. Vanuatu Ecotours is about adventures that take you beyond the beaches to discover a purely natural Vanuatu highlighted by tropical rainforests, plantations, gardens, rivers and waterfalls.
They have quickly gained popularity for the different perspective by which they present Vanuatu. Their tours have been acknowledged for their range and flexibility - from easy to medium trekking, river tours that are especially refreshing during the hot season, and mountain biking within local plantations on the outskirts of Port Vila.
Local guides happily provide expert advice in matching the right adventure with each rider and then safely lead them along tracks that accommodate for all levels of experience, fitness and will.
There are 10 tours to choose from, including Coconut Plantation & Local Gardens, Sunset Tour & Kava Experience, Tropical Rainforest, the River Tour, the Easy Bike Tour and the Eton Beach Ride.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Airfares: Return to Port Vila from $605 ex east coast. Prices include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 26/6/06.
Air Vanuatu - Ph: 1300 780 737, Web: www.airvanuatu.com
Le Meridien Port Vila Resort and Casino - 5 night package $385 a person. Based on twin share. Subject to availability. Conditions apply. That's a saving of 50% for first 100 callers. Includes breakfast and transfers. Deals are available to viewers not on AEST. Valid for travel to 31/3/07. Some exclusions apply. Prices correct at 26/6/06.
Talpacific Holidays - Ph: 1300 665 737
Le Meridien Resort & Casino - Ph: (+678) 22040, Web: www.meridien.com.vu
Half day abseiling adventure. $50 a person. That's a saving of 50%.. Prices correct at 26/6/06 .
Edge Adventure - Web: www.edgevanuatu.com
Half day mountain bike tour. $30 a person. Prices correct at 26/6/06. Save 50%. Vanuatu Eco-tours - Web: www.vanuatu-ecotour.com.vu
Vanuatu Tourism - www.vanuatutourism.com
