A fiery eruption jets liquid rock from the crater of Mt Yasur on Vanuatu's Tanna Island
The South Pacific nation of Vanuatu spans more than 80 island outcroppings that constitute an archipelago of stunning diversity. Ongoing tectonic activity routinely forces new islets above the waves, heralded by some truly spectacular displays of the earth’s power, like billowing steam and glowing magma flows.
Alongside these ostentatious volcanic displays (which leave eerie moonscape deserts on some of the larger islands, like Tanna), however, Vanuatu also boasts great tropical calm, including some of the finest beaches known to man and large flourishing swathes of lush tropical forest, liberally strewn with stunning orchids. The coastal waters, of course, could hardly be more colourful – overflowing with marine life and a concentration of World War II wrecks sought out by divers.
A long history of village-based hospitality contributes greatly to the warm welcome provided by local residents. A strong cultural focus on song and a love of the sea also provides an excellent foundation for the activities and sights on offer. It’s difficult to be bored in a place where something almost entirely different is behind every tree or a short glide away over the waves.
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FEATURE ARTICLES
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VANUATU HOTELS: WALKING THE RESPONSIBLE TALK
Take a closer look at some of the excellent work being done by John Nicholls, his wife Silvana and the rest of the team at Vanuatu Hotels, the whl.travel local connection in Vanuatu. MORE…
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COCONUT CRAB CONSERVATION IN VANUATU
Coconut crabs, the world’s largest land-living crustaceans, have found themselves increasingly under threat from hungry humans. Read about the ongoing effort to preserve these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat. MORE…
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VANUATU ECOTOURS: A LONE ECO-ACHIEVER
John Nicholls, the whl.travel partner in Vanuatu, profiles Pascal Guillet, owner and operator of Vanuatu Ecotours, revealing the passion and practicality that goes into shaping exceptional travel experiences. MORE…
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EPI GUESTHOUSE: GENUINE GREEN IN VANUATU
Surrounded by private white sand beaches, limpid mountain waterfalls and lush tropical jungle, Epi Guesthouse is an award winning sanctuary that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Vanuatu. MORE…
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: MT YASUR ERUPTION, TANNA ISLAND, VANUATU
Mt Yasur is indisputably the most accessible live volcano in the world. There’s a violent explosion of 3,000-degree C magma every five to ten minutes. The experience of witnessing this phenomenon is addictive. MORE…
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FINGER ON THE PULSE
Keep up to speed with developments in Vanuatu by monitoring John Nicholls’s online photo albums or getting in touch with him directly:
Posted under General
This post was written by paul on November 11, 2009
I spent last Xmas in Vanuatu. Silvana was just terrific in helping me make arrangements. She is very patient and empathetic to individual needs. They have an excellent website which contains photos of all accommodations. I highly recommend John and Silvana for Vanuatu and other Pacific destinations.
Larry