| ozjo200118:23 UTC27 Jul 2007 | Hello,
I have just returned from a holiday in Efate. I spent 11 days at Bethel Village, north-east Efate. Joel and Elizabeth Amos and their whole extended family looked after me extremely well. I was travelling by myself and felt safe, happy and even spoiled, with three cooked meals daily, serviced room and fresh flowers every day, lots of great company and conversations with the Bethel people, free demonstrations of laplap making, language lessons, weaving etc and free tours of the gardens, bush medicines, local village and school, banyan climbing and swimming places - I could go on and on, there was so much to see and do and EAT! I took several pictures of my breakfasts and I saw other guests doing the same. One breakfast included soursop, pink grapefruit, sweet little bananas, cucumber :) pancakes, eggs and coffee - it took 3 plates to serve it all!
The bungalows are very cute, the amenities block had hot showers, flush loos etc and everything was clean and well maintained. The grounds are gorgeous, so many plants, flowers, very tropical and constantly maintained. The snorkelling is spectacular and private. The jungle is lush and interesting to walk through along thin trails, saying hi to tethered cows and pigs with tusks and waggy tails! Every afternoon Joel would bring me a fresh coconut full of milk so I could mix it with my pineapple juice and white rum to make a pina colada, mmmmm. Later he would start the generator and let a string band DVD rip! I had to buy a copy of the Naahu Tribes to bring back home with me, they are so cool!
A few km up the road you can arrange to be rowed on the river in a canoe to see kustom dancing at Epule. This was loud, energetic and exciting. Next time I'm going back to snorkel at the mouth of Epule River with Phillip and the Epule people.
I would recommend Bethel Village to anyone looking for something different in their Vanuatu holiday, singles, groups, couples or families. Accommodation and meals cost me about 5600 vt ($67 Aus) per day. Joel will arrange transfers from Port Vila and when he says something will be done at a certain time, it is done, Joel does not operate on island time. You can book directly through Joel by phoning 678 25161.
I spent the rest of my time at Room With A View in Port Vila. 3500 vt ($42 Aus) per night provides you with a self contained room with comfortable, clean beds, ensuite, access to a huge verandah with tables and chairs and a great view of Port Vila Harbour, breakfast and free transfers to and from the airport. Justine is a friendly hostess who will do her best to make sure you are happy and comfortable and she is very flexible about late check-outs. RWIV is just behind Chantillys and only a 5 minute walk from the main part of town. If you are loaded up with shopping, it only costs 100 vt ($1.20) to catch a bus back to RWIV. Very handy. You will probably also meet some very interesting people on the verandah. I really enjoyed my time there. You can contact Justine by phone on +678 23703, or on her mobile 678 51327 or by email; roomvw@yahoo.com.au
On my next trip at the end of the year, I plan to stay for a month and visit Epi, Malekula, Santo and perhaps Ambrym (yes, I'll be popping back to Bethel too). I would be grateful for any travel or accommodation suggestions anyone could offer.
Happy travels,
Jo
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