For as long as I can remember, vivid recollections arrive courtesy of a holiday memory. Perhaps when we are at our most relaxed and curious that our mind is open to holding those experiences close.
During even the most innocuous moments of going about life I can be transported.
I recently bought a bunch of Lady Finger bananas, their sweet goodness a haven in a drab winters day. The first bite zoomed me back to the Gold Coast circa 1978. My best friend had left New Zealand with her family for a life of beaches and glorious weather and my parents popped me on a plane to visit her (those were the days – age 9 and overseas by myself, I barely let my 11 year old go to the shops for milk…).
That trip held many firsts; Pacific Fair shopping with Target and other shops that were giants compared to offerings in our tiny town of Christchurch, surf beaches, Currumbin Bird Sanctury, McDonalds, and tropical fruit flavours. Passionfruits, lady finger bananas, mangoes, melons – all an awakening for my tastebuds…that still has left its mark.
Not long after this journey my family moved to Fiji, then Far North Queensland – cementing forever my love of tropical climes and all the bliss that comes with a more laid-back lifestyle.
Last year I took the kids for a last-minute holiday to Vanuatu; long an advocate of Fiji I wondered if I could be wooed by another Pacific destination. Such a superb holiday ensued that thankfully it appears there is enough room in my heart for both countries.
From the moment we stepped off the plane we felt welcomed and relaxed. Vanuatu has so much to offer for kids of all ages, for families with busy lives this truly is the spot to unwind.
In the French and English settled nation, customs merge with local flavours to create a diverse blend. Judged ‘happiest place on the planet…’, with just cause.
Cyclone Pam struck at the islands of Vanuatu early in 2015, damaging the much relied upon tourism industry. With that devastation now becoming a distant memory, Tourism Vanuatu would love to welcome us back for our holidays.
A snippet from my travel diary;
Within minutes of touchdown in Port Vila we are bouncing along in our minivan transfer on-route to the Holiday Inn Resort. Maria our guide is happily pointing out landmarks as we make our way past green lush vegetation dotted with small dwellings. She suddenly makes a proclamation that stays with me “If Vanuatu was a food it would be organic…”; as the suns rays warm, and the vast sky dips to the coral fringed coast I feel Sydney winter slipping away as the warmth of Vanuatu embraces.
Vanuatu is but a hop, skip and a jump from East Coast Australia. Serviced with regular services from Air Vanuatu and Virgin Australia. At just 2.5 hours flying time off the East Coast of Australia (Brisbane) and 3.5 hours (Sydney); you truly can be in Australia for breakfast and the capital of Port Vila for lunch.
We based ourselves in Port Vila on the island of Efate. Friends swear by Espiritu Santos and that will be on our list for next time.
Accommodation options range from high end to budget. Our experiences at the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu were superb (they are currently closed for renovations, reopening expected in ). Eratap Resort recently received Best Luxury Accommodation in Vanuatu and they are thrilled to report the Resort is back to normal operations. Tourism Vanuatu website is a fantastic resource for where to stay ideas.
Our problem was fitting in all the activities. We were surprised to find so much to keep our ‘tweens’ occupied, from scaling waterfalls, to zip lining, sorbing, sailing and snorkelling. Taxis were an inexpensive way to get around the island and we felt safe at all times. Efate is a relatively small island so travelling times are short, easy for families with young children.
An hour or so drive through fields and villages and we arrived at the Blue Lagoon; an inland lake with old fashioned rope swings. I had to drag the boys away as they couldn’t believe their luck, no queues, no safety fences – carefree childhood the way it used to be.
Swimming with dolphins and canoodling with lizards at a wildlife park.
Welcomed to a local Village,the kids were led off to watch the pet pigs being fed while I was honoured to observe a wedding dress fitting for a ‘bride to be’…
The local market in Port Vila is a wonderful kaleidoscope of colour and should be high on your list. We savoured punnets of organic raspberries for AUD$2.oo.
The gathering spot for Ni Vanuatuans to enjoy their lunch break. At the market ‘cafe’, we joined them to eat lunch of freshly baked white bread (spread in peanut butter and apricot jam), washed down with copious amounts of sweet milky tea. Don’t knock it until you try, truly comfort food in paradise.
French cuisine options abound, with my picks
Au Peche Mignon – main street Port Vila, queues out the door for flaky croissants, melt in your mouth meringues and authentic pain au chocolat.
Restaurant le Jardin du Saveurs – sadly discovered too late in our trip to return…don’t make that mistake. Post holiday dreaming of the Pate, and the Tarte Tartin (for the youngest, Escargot…).
I arrived with no expectation of shopping in Port Vila, other than the odd souvenir for the kids. A pleasant surprise was to find the abundance of Duty Free shops in the main centre of town…if you are prepared to look there are some amazing fragrance and alcohol bargains. On the other end of the scale many local artisans have shops and stalls selling lovely wares. I unearthed some oil which has been a remedy for everything from sunburn to insect bites to dry hands. Local supermarket discoveries included French treats, chocolates and jams.
Steer clear of nasty fakes items which have sadly made their way to Vanuatu.
There are places you visit and go home with dreams of returning.
Then there are others that touch you so deeply that you bring a piece of them with you – in your heart. “Tank yu tumas” Vanuatu.
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Have you been to Vanuatu?
If you haven’t, promise you will pop it on your Bucket List…
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A GROWN UP’S GAP YEAR
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