Live Your Best Lives
I used to be obsessed with exploring the humanities in war-torn countries in the Middle East, such as Afghanistan, but the pursuit of the earth's extreme landscapes remains my lifelong passion.
Band Amir Lake, Afghanistan, summer 2016
This is a place that 99% of people have never heard of, but among the 86 countries I have traveled to, it has always been a special place because it is so unique!
Volcanic eruptions are the masculine pulse of the earth's hormones, and they best represent a man's desire to conquer!
There are only five volcanoes on Earth where you can see lava pools. Unfortunately, in 2018, due to the diversion of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, we missed the opportunity to see the lava. Excluding Mount Erebus in Antarctica, which is basically inaccessible to ordinary people, there are only three volcanoes left where you can face the door to hell!
I once visited Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the escort of the United Nations. Six anti-government armed groups are still actively active in this Virunga National Park.
Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, photographed in December 2017
Erta Ale in Ethiopia requires a convoy of vehicles to spend two full days traversing uninhabited areas. But witnessing the roiling lava pools firsthand, every pore of your body seems to be erupting. It's a visual climax you won't experience at any other volcano, and it's all worth it! Unfortunately, due to the war, I still can't take you there.
Erta Ale Crater, Ethiopia, October 2017
But the Yasur volcano in Vanuatu, an island nation in Oceania, is completely different. Its stable cycle (every 15 minutes) allows you to 100% appreciate the gorgeous fireworks of the volcanic eruption, and the mild eruption radius makes the whole process so safe. Nothing can be more perfect than it!
It's also incredibly exciting to explore the island's most primitive nudists and use your camera to decipher the current living conditions of these ancient cannibals. Don't forget the fantastic coastline that rivals Fiji's. Put on your swimsuit and enjoy the tropical fish!
I recommend watching the Australian film "Tanna" (Forbidden Love) before going to Tanna, as you will feel it more when you visit the tribe.
"Tanna" is more like a documentary. The reason why it is like a documentary is that all the actors are local indigenous people. The real names of the two leading actors are the names of the protagonists of the movie. It seems that they are just presenting their daily lives.
"Tanna" is also like a scenic and folk promotional film. The primitive civilized lifestyle, the tribal life with an ancient social and cultural background, and the local dances, languages and songs make the audience full of yearning for Tanna Island.
Vanuatu, located in the western South Pacific, belongs to the Melanesian archipelago and consists of 83 islands (68 of which are inhabited). After 1825, missionaries, merchants, and farmers from Britain, France, and other countries arrived here. In October 1906, France and Britain signed a treaty of concession, making Vanuatu a joint colony. It gained independence on July 30, 1980, as the Republic of Vanuatu.
Vanuatu is located in the western South Pacific, 1,900 kilometers east of Brisbane, Australia, 800 kilometers west of Fiji, 230 kilometers north of New Caledonia, and 170 kilometers south of the Solomon Islands.
Domestic travel to Vanuatu via Australia▲
Domestic flights to Vanuatu via Fiji▲
Area: Vanuatu is actually small in terms of land area; its land area is 12,190 square kilometers and its water area is 848,000 square kilometers.
Population: Vanuatu has a population of 282,000 (2017). 98% are ethnically Ni-Vanuatu, of Melanesian descent. The remainder are descendants of French, British, and Chinese, as well as Vietnamese, Polynesian, and other people from nearby islands. There are approximately 600 ethnic Chinese living abroad. The official languages are English, French, and Bislama, with Bislama being the common language. 84% of the population is Christian.
Climate: Tropical maritime climate, with an average annual rainfall of 1,600 mm and an average temperature of 25.3°C. Suitable for travel year-round.
Time zone: Vanuatu belongs to the Eastern Time Zone 11, and the local time is 3 hours earlier than Beijing time.
Language: The official languages are English, French and Bislama. Bislama is the common language. 84% of the people are Catholics.
Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, is located on the southwestern tip of Efate Island in south-central Vanuatu. Covered in forest, it resembles a vast garden. Maili Bay, surrounded by mountains on three sides and the ocean on one side, is a natural haven home to modern hotels and shopping malls.
Efate, the main island of Port Vila, is a beautiful coral island with crystal-clear waters. It's home to many comfortable resorts, most of which offer excellent snorkeling. Day trips include exploring the turtle breeding ground, Mele Cascade, the Blue Hole, ziplining through the rainforest, and observing manatees (pig-sized, hairy creatures whose large, sucker-like mouths nibble seagrass on the seafloor).
Tips:
Postcards: If time permits, it's best to buy waterproof and volcano postcards at the city post office. Volcano postcards can only be purchased at the White Grass Resort after arriving in Tanna, while waterproof postcards can be purchased at the entrance to Upper Shelter Island.
Local fruits: When visiting the central vegetable market, be sure to buy some local fruits, they are cheap and delicious.
High prices: Prices are relatively high for tourists, especially on Tanna Island, which is much more expensive than Port Vila and Santo.
Coconut crabs are abundant in Vanuatu. These amphibious crabs feed on coconuts, attracting many visitors. They are particularly attractive for their price and, in addition, are not widely accepted in other countries. Coconut crabs are difficult to grow; large ones typically require over a decade to mature. Their meat is thicker than that of regular crabs, but with a distinct coconut aroma. Currently, hotels on Tanna Island do not eat coconut crabs for conservation reasons.
Underwater Post Office
Port Vila also has a unique experience in the world, which is the only underwater post office still in operation, where you can send unique underwater postcards.
The specific location is on a small island called Hideaway near Port Vila. It is so small that you can only see its name on Google Maps. You have to switch to the satellite map to see the whole picture of the island▼
Tips:
Waterproof postcards must be purchased on site. If you have no swimming or free diving experience, please do not rashly mail postcards on your own. There are no rescue personnel around and it is easy to get into danger.
Island entry fee: Non-hotel guests need to pay an island entry fee of 1,250 Vatu per person.
Remember to bring bait: If you need to take photos of mailing letters surrounded by fish, be sure to bring some bread and biscuits as bait.
Underwater Post Office website: http://www.vanuatupost.vu/index.php/en/underwater-post
Jesus Volcano
Tanna Island, located in southern Vanuatu, is home to the most famous Mt Yasur Volcano. This is the world's most accessible active volcano, allowing visitors to stand in the crater and experience the stunning impact of the eruption up close.
Volcano Post Office▲
Tips:
Suitable shoes: When visiting the volcano, you must wear shoes that fit your feet well and are comfortable for walking. Do not wear sandals.
Jacket: After dark, the wind on the ridge is very strong and cold, so you must bring a jacket;
Masks: Masks should be prepared. Although they are not necessary to use, they are very necessary in case of sudden changes in wind direction.
Safety: When walking in the crater, remember to watch your step and stand firmly to observe the scenery;
Lens: When visiting a volcano, be sure to protect your lens, preferably with a UV filter.
Tripod and telephoto lens: A tripod and a telephoto lens are essential for photographing volcanic eruptions, otherwise the photos won’t look like fireworks.
Flashlight: When it gets dark, the staff's flashlights may not be enough to cover everyone on the way back. You can prepare a strong flashlight or use a mobile phone flashlight;
Luck: Watching a volcano is a matter of luck. The intensity of the eruption is not exactly the same every day, the viewing point is different depending on the wind direction, and the feeling is different in good weather and in windy and rainy weather, so it is better to watch it twice.
primitive tribe
There are many primitive tribes on Tanna Island. Tribal tours such as the nudists and cannibals are very unique. The villages that each hotel goes to are slightly different. In addition, there are many combinations. You can make a plan in advance to choose the tribes and routes that interest you.
The Differences in Clothing Between Naked People and Cannibals (Author: Huan Er Huan)
Tips:
Anti-mosquito: There are many mosquitoes on tropical islands, so remember to take mosquito repellent and anti-itching medicine before going to the island.
Blue Cave
Located on the north side of the west side of Tanna Island, it is a cave by the sea. The entrance is underwater and cannot be seen at high tide, so you need to dive to enter. The cave entrance is exposed at low tide and can be entered by swimming. The water in the cave is fluorescent blue, and there is a large hole on the top, through which sunlight shines directly, creating a unique cave world.
There is a ladder on the rock wall, and you can climb up to the entrance of the cave. To go to the Blue Hole, you need to join a group and take a boat, but you are required to be able to swim.
Tips:
About Bluehole:
There are three blue holes on Tanna Island, but Blue Hole 1 and Blue Hole 2 are deep holes formed by nature. Due to the sudden vertical deepening, the corals in the holes have not been damaged by humans. The cliff walls and the bottom of the caves are covered with corals, making them a good place for snorkeling.
Blue Hole 1
Suitable for snorkeling, the coral reefs are beautiful, large and complete, and there are many fish.
Tips:
Tide time: low tide is best. First, you can walk directly from the reef beach to the blue hole at this time. Second, the water is clearest at this time. Third, snorkeling is closest to the beautiful scenery at this time. The light difference is a lot when it is one or two meters underwater.
Snorkeling shoes: A must! Snorkeling shoes are a must, and they have thicker soles. The reef itself is uneven, and the shellfish attached are sharp, so you can get hurt if you're not careful.
Sun protection: Snorkeling can easily cause sunburn, so it's best to wear a snorkeling suit with long sleeves and pants. These are very affordable on Taobao. Because sunscreen can harm corals, it's recommended to choose one labeled "marine life friendly."
Notes on renting underwater photography equipment:
Underwater camera: Be sure to rent the latest model. In case of a malfunction, it will be difficult to explain even if it is not a problem with your operation. Minor problems are covered by repair insurance, but it may be difficult to get back the deposit for major problems. The most important thing is that you will not be able to record the wonderful underwater world.
GoPro: They all come with waterproof housings, so there is basically no problem with water entering, so there are not many requirements for whether they are new or old.
Snorkeling mask: It is recommended to bring your own, which is more hygienic and reliable. It is difficult for myopic people to find a mask with the right degree, so you can wear contact lenses.
Blue hole 2
This private property is part of Rocky Ridge and isn't free to enter. There's a sign at the entrance detailing the entrance fee, but there's no charge for accommodation. Blue Hole 2 is incredibly beautiful, especially the vibrant corals. No matter how many beautiful underwater worlds you've visited, this one won't disappoint.
In addition, guests of Rockwater Resort also praise the snorkeling environment in the waters in front of their hotel. Tanna Island also has many attractions such as white sand beaches, shark bay, waterfalls, hot springs, giant banyan trees, etc.
Santo, also known as Espiritu Santo, is located in northern Vanuatu and is the largest island in the country. It's a great place for swimming, diving, camping, fishing, and other recreational activities. Its hotels offer better facilities and lower prices than Tanna.
Santo Island has the beautiful Champagne Beach with silver white sand and vast blue waves. It also has the famous diving spot "Million Dollar Point" and the largest shipwreck ruins.
There are two blue holes in the middle of the island, which are very tropical. It is very quiet when rowing a boat through the dense tropical rainforest, with only the occasional clear bird calls from the forest.
Malekula Island, located in central Vanuatu, has preserved its clan traditions. The Naka hut, also known as the "traditional men's house," features a coconut leaf roof and woven coconut leaf walls, making it both economical and practical, as well as beautiful and airy.
This is the birthplace of modern bungee jumping. Few people know that the originators of bungee jumping are the residents of Vanuatu, an island nation in Oceania. In the local area, this unique activity called "land diving" can be traced back to more than 1,500 years ago.
The land jump is a rite of passage for men in the primitive tribes of Vanuatu. Boys jump from a vine-shaped tower several dozen meters high, their legs bound with green vines. This is done to pray for a good harvest and to prove their bravery.
This activity only takes place in April and May, when the yam harvest is plentiful. At this time, the vines are full of moisture, allowing them to stretch under the pull of gravity. If they are too short, you can't touch the ground with your shoulders, but if they are too long, it can be dangerous. If you happen to be visiting Vanuatu during this time, you must go and see it.
The capital, Port Vila, has an international airport with direct flights to Brisbane and Sydney in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.
The airlines operating the flights include Air Vanuatu, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, Aircalin, Fiji Airways, etc.
If traveling from China to Vanuatu, it's recommended to combine a trip to Australia or Fiji, as transportation can be arduous. Direct flights from major Chinese cities to Sydney and Brisbane reduce the number of layovers. Hong Kong has direct flights to Fiji, while all other cities require a layover in Hong Kong or Seoul.
It is said that there are discounts if you buy Air Vanuatu tickets more than 4 times, so if the price difference of air tickets from Sydney, Brisbane, and Fiji to Vanuatu is not big, it is best to buy Air Vanuatu, because you usually have to take domestic routes after arriving in Vanuatu, and there are basically no discounts on domestic routes due to monopoly, so you can get a discount by buying in this way.
Tips:
1. When buying air tickets, it is best to buy domestic round-trip tickets to Sydney and Sydney to Port Vila separately. This is cheaper than buying both legs directly. This may be because there are fewer domestic agencies that provide tickets for the second leg of the journey.
2. The Sydney to Port Vila round-trip route may not be found on some mainstream ticketing websites. Remember to search and compare on several websites.
3. Vanuatu time is 3 hours ahead of Beijing time, that is, Beijing time + 3 = Vanuatu time, and Sydney time is Beijing time + 2. There is a 1-hour time difference between the two countries. When buying tickets, be sure to confirm the local time of landing to avoid missing the next flight due to lack of time.
There are nearly 10 domestic routes, which are monopolized by Air Vanuatu. Each of Vanuatu's major islands has an airport, but all flights only fly to Port Vila. Therefore, flights between other islands must transfer in Port Vila, and domestic routes are not subject to security checks.
There are one or two flights per day from Port Vila to Tanna Island, operated by Air Vanuatu. Both passengers and luggage must be weighed before boarding. Alternatively, you can take an 8-10 passenger taxi from Port Vila to Tanna Island. These are small planes with a 10kg luggage limit, and both passengers and luggage must be weighed before boarding.
Tips:
The airport in Port Vila is very small, with only 2-3 immigration counters in the entire airport. It is best to hurry to queue up after getting off the plane.
Border control personnel will usually ask you when you are leaving. You should also prepare your air tickets and hotel reservations in advance and display them on your mobile phone.
In the capital, Port Vila, vans with red license plates starting with "B" are like buses. They stop whenever you wave, and there are no fixed stops. The fare within the city is 150 vatu, but further afield it's usually 300 vatu. Drivers will often charge foreigners a higher price, so be sure to bargain before boarding.
I didn't see any taxis on Tanna Island, but I heard there are buses running to the town on market days. The island now has a Chinese-built road from the airport to Lenakel, the largest town, and they're also working on a road from the town to the volcano. Elsewhere, dirt roads are in poor condition, narrow, potholed, and often steep slopes. There are no streetlights, and the most common mode of transportation is pickup trucks.
Vanuatu grants Chinese passport holders a 30-day visa on arrival, waiving the visa fee. However, if you need to transit through a third country, such as Australia, you will still need to apply for a visa for the transit country.
The local currency of Vanuatu is called Vatu. The exchange rate of RMB is about 1:16-1:17. There are almost no places in China where you can exchange it, so it is most convenient to bring US dollars or Australian dollars to exchange it directly.
Most local hotels accept VISA, UnionPay, and Mastercard credit cards, so you just need to carry a small amount of US dollars or Australian dollars with you.
There is no Wi-Fi in Tanna Island hotels, so it is recommended that you buy a phone card immediately after withdrawing money at the airport.
There are two telecommunications counters at the airport, one is Digicel and the other is Telecom Vanuatu (TVL). You can choose to purchase after consulting on site.
Vanuatu is not a tipping country and no tipping is required.
Sunset Bungalows Resort
Located on the edge of the lagoon, the bedroom windows open directly onto the lake. It is said that the Sunset Hotel got its name from the beautiful sunset here.
The dinner menu is extensive, the staff are very friendly and welcoming, and Chinese can be spoken in the hotel.
Tanna Evergreen Resort & Tours
There is a bay in front of the hotel suitable for snorkeling, and if you are lucky you may encounter dolphins.
