Adv 223 Yumpu

Tell your friends and family you’ll be
back soon, you’re going off-grid
It’s so easy to romanticise going off grid –
lying back under coconut palms, floating in
crystal clear waters. Being disconnected
from the cyber world can be both anxiety
inducing and incredible freeing. However,
going ‘off-grid’ in the outer islands of
Vanuatu means more than just no internet.
It often means no electricity either. While
the capital city of Port Vila and main
tourism towns have power and modern
amenities, this is not the case everywhere.
Unplugging is part of the charm of the
remote islands of Vanuatu, but it does
mean you need to be prepared. Pack
some spare batteries for your camera and
let your friends and family know you may
be out of contact for a few days. You can
get a local sim card, but they don’t work
everywhere. Understand that a lack of
electricity will affect your ability to have
a hot shower, run a fan in the heat of
the day and flush a toilet. This is a great
opportunity to let it all go, soak up the sun
and the culture, and sink into Vanuatu life.
Get ready to dance
Often, when you have the privilege of
witnessing a traditional cultural dance in
an outer island village, a smiling local will
drag you into the circle, teach you how
to move, and encourage you to dance
and sing. Embrace this! Move your hips
and stomp your feet and laugh with the
children. Once you allow yourself to let
go, you’ll be dancing your way across the
islands.
Pack your hiking boots
Vanuatu’s outer islands aren't just isolated
beaches and fresh coconuts. There
are hundreds of hikes and volcanoes
and waterfalls that will take your breath
away. Good (waterproof) hiking boots are
essential if you’re the adventurous type.
Wet weather gear wouldn’t be a bad idea
either– you never know when the tropical
rains might hit.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, stock up
on the main islands. There are few
stores dotted around the outer islands,
but they don’t always have the variety of
snacks you may be craving – although
the fruit will be unbelievably good. If you
fly into Santo or Port Vila, stock up there.
We recommend Aelan chocolate – it’s
a social enterprise that makes the most
delicious chocolate, with cocoa grown
from the volcanic soil across the outer
islands!
Pack your own snorkel gear
If you’re a keen diver, you’ll be
overwhelmed by just how many reefs
there are to explore. You won’t always be
able to source gear to rent, so if you love
to explore the underwater world, it’s best
you bring your own snorkel and goggles.
You never know who you might meet
under there: a sleepy dugong, a friendly
turtle or an excitable pod of dolphins.
Be Prepared
While adventure is why we are here,
drama is not. Realising that you are going
into remote areas where there is very little
infrastructure, adjust how you prepare
your gear to suit this reality. Ensure you
have a good medical first aid kit, take
plenty of cash (there are no ATMs in
the remote islands), insect repellents,
bag liners for wet days, pack spares of
necessary items (batteries), medication
and so on. Grab what you need before
you go.
For more information on Vanuatu’s
Outer Islands www.vanuatu.travel
vanuatu.travel
Book most of your activities when you
get there
I know it’s tempting to book everything
before you go – to get on that plane with
a clear plan and a strict itinerary. But
you can’t do that for the outer islands of
Vanuatu. And that’s part of the magic.
It’s part of the essence of this network of
islands. It’s not about how much you can
jam pack into a small amount of time. It’s
not about aligning things this way and
that. It’s about immersing yourself into
the way of life of the Vanuatu people.
Your loose plans will change. You’ll learn
about an activity that wasn’t listed online.
If you come with a vague idea but nothing
set in stone, you’ll leave yourself open to
the unexpected adventures that await in
Vanuatu. You’ll also see the most beautiful
side of the people who love to care and
share – so let them!
ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 69