Tropical Cyclones Judy & Kevin in March of this year caused massive devastation & heartache for the Vanuatu people, then throw in a 6.5 magnitude earthquake and you have ask the question how much more can these beautiful people take. Vanuatu, a country on my wish list for some time, so we headed off in August to show our support and help the local economy by spending our holiday dollars.
Some Facts*:
Over 197 388 people were affected.
This represents 66% of the overall population.
The livelihoods of 38 764 people were impacted.
6384 homes were destroyed.
84% of people lost their home gardens.
Alarmingly gender-based violence and child protection cases are in the increase.
Women and Children are at risk of sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse due to insufficient bathing & sanitation facilities with little or no privacy.
* Post Disaster Needs Assessment
Vanuatu Tropical Cyclones Judy & Kevin
22 June 2023
Department of Strategic Planning and Aid Coordination (DSPPAC) 2020
The people we met were very kind, generous & hard-working. Agriculturally, the largest sector impacted were Cocoa, Kava, Coffee & Coconut farms. It’s taken months to only now seeing paw paws & bananas on trees. Infrastructure from a tourist perspective in Port Vila was up and running. Local buses very busy moving locals & tourists alike around. Food & Cultural Craft Markets both buzzing with activity.
Loved the resort we selected, Breakas Beach Resort on the main island of Efate (and an Adults only resort). After collecting our luggage, we make our way to the meeting point for our coach transfer. Outside the terminal, the weather is balmy, the sun is shining, and we are happy. The minibus drive is quick and efficient even with a few hotel stops. The mini vans (think Kia Carnival or similar) are the local bus, you just flag these down at any point along the road. If they have space the driver will pick you up. The cost to go into town was $1.90 per person each way from our hotel.
Our Fare (think Bure if you were in Fiji) gorgeous, thatched roof, simple décor inside but cool and comfortable. We opted for the Garden View room but felt very blessed to be allocated a room that still gave us water views. The open-air bathroom, not for me but it’s just personal taste. Staff at Reception and in the Restaurant so welcoming and friendly. The food in the restaurant was so tasty, fresh seafood especially the fish. The staff who looked after the grounds, housekeeping & security did an amazing job. Salt Bar was great for a pre-dinner drink or just to give you a different outlook during the day to enjoy a coffee, play board games, read or just sit and watch the world go by.
We missed some of the inclusions on our package as these only take place on set days but as things return to normal for the island am sure this will go back to daily options again. We did though book the massage on site in the Breakas Massage Fare (thanks so much to the wonderful staff member who showed us where to go, otherwise we would not have found it).
Port Vila township, we both loved the markets for fresh fruit and vegetables plus the craft markets as well. Port Vila is a busy and bustling township, was great to see so many people out and about including lots of other tourists dining in various restaurants, cafes, bars or shopping.
One of the most enjoyable day tours was a visit to the Mele Cascades. Located a 30-minute drive from our accommodation in the lush hills surrounding Port Vila. We had a wonderful guide Bachwa who walked us through the lower waterfalls area’s until we reached the Mele Waterfall. I was glad we took my hiking poles I really needed them and having to stop regularly to rest as after my fall in March with my knee injury I had to re teach myself to walk slowly and not to rush. It’s been a huge readjustment to my life and quite stressful. Normally this route would be a 20-minute walk this took me 50 minutes to get to the falls, but I was determined to see them. It was well worth the money to have a guide accompany us, to learn about this unique place and history of the area that Bachwa shares as a traditional custodian of this area which made the trip more special to us. Due to the cyclones some of the guardrails & ropes when crossing the streams had been washed away but with Bachwa showing us where to step, guiding us and even holding my hand in some area’s I felt safe and comfortable.
Managed to get in some snorkelling right off the beach at the resort, great signs of life coming back to this bay after all the destruction of recent events. Bright orange and black Sea snakes, Anemone’s, Clownfish, Starfish, the biggest Sea Cucumbers I have ever seen. Lots of comfy chairs, hammocks, seating on the beach and near the pool for relaxing in as well which was fab!
So very happy we could make this trip and would love to return one day for sure. We flew with Air Vanuatu, great Staff and service on both flights.
For more information:
https://www.vanuatu.travel/au/
