Today we hired a double cab ute and experienced the roads of Efate first-hand. Brett took the wheel – which meant that I was the front seat passenger – and off we went driving on the right-hand side of the road. It was VERY disconcerting to see traffic coming toward us but feeling like you were in the wrong place, and it is especially spooky making left had turns. So much for relaxing – more grey hairs for me!!
Anyhoo, we set off for the Mele Village Cascades. After a bit of a walk up through the bush, we came to the cascades. Not just a waterfall, but literally a series of cascading drops down the river into blue pools. It was beautiful. Steps have been cut into the rock along the waterways and we made our way to the top where the biggest fall comes out of the bush and we had a swim in that pool. The water was very cold, but it was lovely after the walk. If you swim through one of the cascades, there is a ‘secret’ cave behind it, so that was a wee adventure – it takes a surprising amount of courage to launch yourself through a wall of water into the unknown!
Next it was Tony’s turn to take the wheel and we drove back down the road to Mele Island (also known as Hideaway Island) as we had been told that it had amazing snorkeling. It most certainly did! Literally at your first step into the water, the fish are with you. No more than 10 metres away, the reef begins and the water is so clear that the light is able to get to the coral easily – meaning that the coral and fish colours are beautiful. Brett and I decided that it was the best snorkeling location we had ever been to – and only a step away from the beach, with bar, restaurant and toilets etc – who could ask for more?
There is also an underwater post office just by the reef, where you can dive down and write on waterproof postcards before posting them into an underwater mailbox. They also feed the fish in that spot, so there are a lot of them hanging around.
We reluctantly left the island as the sun was getting closer to disappearing – and managed to hit ‘rush hour’ traffic. The roads are narrow and busy and Brett was very pleased that it was Tony who had to negotiate his way through it.
After freshening up, we went to a restaurant called Chill in Port Vila for dinner where I ordered Coconut Crab. The next thing I knew, the waitress had appeared and tied a bib around my neck! I wondered what I had gotten myself into and then it arrived. What a size the coconut crab must be! Even in bits, it was mounded high on the plate – so plenty to share, which was good because it was delicious.
We have decided that we will get up early in the morning as we want to go to a spot at the other side of the island before we have to have the ute back at 10:15 – here’s hoping we manage that OK.
Anyhoo, we set off for the Mele Village Cascades. After a bit of a walk up through the bush, we came to the cascades. Not just a waterfall, but literally a series of cascading drops down the river into blue pools. It was beautiful. Steps have been cut into the rock along the waterways and we made our way to the top where the biggest fall comes out of the bush and we had a swim in that pool. The water was very cold, but it was lovely after the walk. If you swim through one of the cascades, there is a ‘secret’ cave behind it, so that was a wee adventure – it takes a surprising amount of courage to launch yourself through a wall of water into the unknown!
Next it was Tony’s turn to take the wheel and we drove back down the road to Mele Island (also known as Hideaway Island) as we had been told that it had amazing snorkeling. It most certainly did! Literally at your first step into the water, the fish are with you. No more than 10 metres away, the reef begins and the water is so clear that the light is able to get to the coral easily – meaning that the coral and fish colours are beautiful. Brett and I decided that it was the best snorkeling location we had ever been to – and only a step away from the beach, with bar, restaurant and toilets etc – who could ask for more?
There is also an underwater post office just by the reef, where you can dive down and write on waterproof postcards before posting them into an underwater mailbox. They also feed the fish in that spot, so there are a lot of them hanging around.
We reluctantly left the island as the sun was getting closer to disappearing – and managed to hit ‘rush hour’ traffic. The roads are narrow and busy and Brett was very pleased that it was Tony who had to negotiate his way through it.
After freshening up, we went to a restaurant called Chill in Port Vila for dinner where I ordered Coconut Crab. The next thing I knew, the waitress had appeared and tied a bib around my neck! I wondered what I had gotten myself into and then it arrived. What a size the coconut crab must be! Even in bits, it was mounded high on the plate – so plenty to share, which was good because it was delicious.
We have decided that we will get up early in the morning as we want to go to a spot at the other side of the island before we have to have the ute back at 10:15 – here’s hoping we manage that OK.
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