Eratap Beach Resort

Meat Pies!

by Bunnylbj about Patisserie

This unsuspecting little bakery has the best meat pies! It's situated on the road leading to the Meridien hotel, just after the jail (!!) on the left hand side. They are worth the visit. The breads and the meat pies are delicious, and cheap.

Romantic Port Vila

by minstrel74

The city of Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu, occupies a very special place in my heart. What exactly struck me during my visit is hard to pin down, but from the moment I set foot in this beautiful port city I was consumed by some sort of inexplicable euphoria. My first impression of the town was unlike any I'd experienced anywhere. The whole place seemed to ooze romance, and I found myself thinking that this might be the sort of place you would want to share with someone special, rather than visiting alone. Not to discourage anyone from doing so. I backpacked alone throughout Vanuatu and had the time of my life. But if ever there were a place where romance and loneliness lived peacefully side by side, this would be it. If someone asks me where I would want to go on my honeymoon, I unhesitatingly say "Port Vila, Vanuatu."

For those traveling through different countries in Melanesia, you will find Port Vila far more developed than Honiara, yet nowhere near as touristy and run over as, say, Nadi, Fiji. And where Noumea kind of seems like a place where French culture dominates over the Melanesian, here the culture of the South Pacific is very much at the forefront. It's the perfect blend of traditional culture, Western comforts and sensibilities, and spectacular South Pacific scenery. I'm not sure what consitutes a perfect city for tourists, but this must come pretty close.

"Around Port Vila..."

Vila is a great town to stroll through. The French influence has given the town some modern class, reflected in the variety of shops and restaurants in the city center as well as in the beautiful homes south of town. In fact, the city's buildings, both government and private, are probably the main attraction in Port Vila, after the adjacent harbour, of course. Otherwise, be sure to spend some time exploring the island resorts around town. The Iririki Island Resort and Erakor Island Resort are great for this. Free ferries can get you to the islands, and even if you can't afford to stay here, they're worth a visit just for the ambience alone.