Guided Village Walk

When ships arrive to Mystery Island, the locals from nearby Aneityum will bring their hand-crafts, local food, kava, and fresh coconuts as well as souvenirs so cruise guests can experience some of the local flavor.

However, discover the local culture and see where they live and make their homes and get a true taste of this part of the world. Travel to Aneityum, a small community that resides in the shadow of two volcanoes now dormant. First discovered in 1793 by French navigator D'Entrecastreaux, not until 1844 did James Paddon set up a trading station, selling Sandalwood and Kauri. Whalers would use Aneityum's sheltered harbor until the 1870s to melt whale blubber into oil.

In 1848 Presbyterian missionary John Geddie arrived and began to convert more than three quarters of the population to follow the Christian faith. He built a large stone church capable of seating his congregation that was then destroyed by a Tsunami in 1875, today the remains of the church can still be seen. There are an estimated 84 species of orchids, the largest collection in Vanuatu, that thrive here as the climate is better than its neighbor to the north, Tanna.

Meet the friendly, smiling people that call this home. They are less traditional than other islands but are just as easy to communicate with and are very welcoming. On this village walking tour you will view their traditional homes, local schools, medical dispensary and police station.

The Best of Vanuatu

Discover all that Vanuatu offers on this full day experience, while you learn of the native people's customs and culture, visit a school, take a swim at the Blue Lagoon, see waterfalls and taste the flavors of the South Pacific.

An amazing cultural experience awaits when your first stop is made at Pepyo Cultural Village. See and learn of the history of this island told through the stories of the islanders when the forest provided all they needed to survive and defend themselves from outsiders. Be welcomed by a warriors dance and glimpse the everyday life of these people when you see their dwellings, witness their handcrafts and see what and how they prepare their food. Before your stay is complete you will witness a traditional fire-walk.

You will continue on to a village primary School. (Please note: the school is not open on the weekends, public holidays, and during school term breaks). In the opinion of the local people, it is not about what they know of their island and heritage, but rather how they let you see it through their eyes and with their passion. The love for their country is intertwined with their contagious sense of Melanesian humor and you will see this passed along to the youth of the island.

Continue your day soaking up the sights travelling through the scenic countryside past endless coconut plantations and quaint villages en route to the Blue Lagoon. Fed by a freshwater spring mixed with sea water where due to a quirk of nature the lagoon is unnaturally blue. You can swing on the "Tarzan" swing ropes or jump into the water from the over-water decks. The easiest access though to the water is down built-in steps that lead into the lagoon.

Next it is lunch time and you will travel to the Banana Beach Club for a light lunch. While there, you can relax in their BBQ huts and enjoy stunning views out over the Beach Club and Banana Bay.

After lunch you will travel to Eden On The River. A must-see destination for all ages. Their tropical eco tours blend education, nature, culture with a touch of adventure whilst offering plenty of opportunities to have a refreshing dip in the river and/or a walk around & over their Bridges of Eden.

Your day is not over just yet as you will travel next to Port Vila's best city lookout for a photo stop as well as other interesting and historical sights.

You will then drive to the Duty Free shopping area and your transportation will wait while you have the chance to buy souvenirs of your day in Vanuatu and/or the best priced duty free alcohol & spirits in the South Pacific.

To finish your day, you will have a true taste of the island with a kava experience and tasting. Kava is a particularly appropriate symbol of Vanuatu's custom and national identity. Several customary techniques, including pounding, grinding, grating, and chewing exist in various Pacific societies to process fresh or dried kava rootstock. In most rural areas of the country, adult men gather at the end of the day to enjoy a coconut shell or two of kava. Unlike Polynesian societies that prescribe a polished etiquette of kava preparation and service wherein drinking order signifies local chiefly hierarchies, Vanuatu's more informal kava drinking practices tend to accentuate male equality - men bring along kava roots and share them with relatives and neighbors. Nearly everyone grows kava; the plant is an essential token in the gift economy. Beyond everyday socializing, kava consumption also joins drinkers to their ancestors and other local spirits and is sometimes considered a sort of sacrifice, a gift to the gods. As Port Vila's busy nakamals grind kava rootstock into 50 and 100 vatu shells of "redimed" drink, they are further processing sacred kava into a cash crop and into a rooted but inventive emblem of cultural identity. Have a tasting of kava and you can leave the island with the knowledge and flavor of what Vanuatu is all about.

Then you will be returned to the pier area where you will be bid farewell before you make your way back on board your ship.