When you are looking for a vacation destination that you have never been to before, consider traveling to the island of Vanuatu. This island paradise in the South Pacific is part of the Solomon Islands chain, just east of Australia. When you want a truly unique vacation experience, this is the place to be.
- island of VanuatuPhillipC
Island History:
The island of Vanuatu has been inhabited by natives as far back as 6,000 years ago, but the first Europeans to actually discover the island were Spanish explorers during the early 1600s. The first to actually set foot on the island were Captain Cook and his group of explorers in 1774. By the mid-1800s, more Europeans began traveling to the island for its adventure and resources, taking back shipments of sandalwood, coconuts, cocoa and other items that were found on the island.
In 1906, after heated debates on the subject of ownership of the island, France and Great Britain agreed to a joint administration of the island. By the 1940s, with the help of the Americans, the island of Vanuatu declared itself to be an independent nation and rejected the rule of both France and Great Britain. They formed their own political party and elected a free government to rule over the island.
Today, the island enjoys their own independence and is well known as a tourist location, with a number of exciting activities as well as comfortable places to stay and enjoy your getaway. Whether you prefer a resort location or a secluded bungalow next to the beach, there are plenty of convenient places for you to stay and relax while you explore the island. Many of the resorts include full amenities with Spas and fitness centers while the beach houses can give you more privacy while being just a few steps from the beach.
Attractions and Activities:
When you are looking for some activities, consider taking one of the Eco-tours, a very popular activity that allows you to travel through the jungles on the island by taking a kayak river tour or mountain biking along the trails around the island. You could also take part in scuba diving activities where you will see some amazing sea life in pristine blue waters along the coast.
You can also take a tour of the incredible coastline and bays around the island with a sunset cruise, where you can enjoy cheese platters and french wine while watching the sun go down over the island. There are also exciting Jet Boat tours around the island as well as a history tour of what happened on the island during World War II. You can find plenty of activities to keep you busy during your vacation getaway on Vanuatu.
Island Customs:
The people of Vanuatu are very proud of their culture and tradition, celebrating with special ceremonies and rituals. They are very protective of their customs as it helps them maintain order within the various villages.
The island people also enjoy a very casual and laid-back lifestyle, not relying on the clock as much as those in more civilized societies do. Making an appointment for a driver to pick you up at 7am to take you on a tour could result in him getting to your hotel at 6am or a few hours later, or maybe not at all, depending on what is happening.
Another custom that you should consider is that for a woman to wear a bikini at the beach is offensive to the people, just as a man wearing a speedo is also an offense. The culture has become much more modest, resulting in women wearing an island dress while in public.
[box]Author Bio: Zac is a sport and travel enthusiast who loves to surf and ride his jet ski in his free time, one of the reasons he recommends Vanuatu holidays as they offer some of the best waters for jet skiing.[/box]
