Safety Tips in Vanuatu

On a guided tour, I couldn't quite believe that our 55ish local guide was looking at my breasts, which were covered by a light button shirt and bathers underneath, which I considered appropriate and non-provocative....Even as he was talking about the plants, and with my husband right there!

Then, a little while later, more shocking, did he just grope me? It was so quick, I was dumbstruck. From then on, I kept my distance, enjoyed the tour, but happy to get back to the mainland and to our accommodation.

My husband and I agreed that it wasn't just him, as an old perv', but that there was a sexist traditional culture here, and Western women of any age ought to be conservative in their dress and be wary, without spoiling the best the culture had to offer.

I would like to return to Vanuatu, and experience other South Pacific Islands, but I will now keep a local police number in mobile/bag, even with my husband there, Superman that he is!
For un-attached women, out and about on your own: risky.

Vanuatu has some of the most accessible volcanoes in the world and while they are a spectacular sight especially at night it is wise to find out what level the volcanic activity is before venturing there. Remember that these are active volcanoes with molten lava flying into the air and what goes up must come down so be very watchful of children. I visited Yasur on Tanna Island when it was at the highest level before closure to tourists and while it was spectacular it was belching huge molten rocks the size of refrigerators into the air to the delights of the volcanologists in the group, it was a little scary. The walk to the rim is also not recommended for those in poor health or unfit.

This is a comfort warning. Don't think you might be able to just pick something up from the shops, they probably won't have it! Or if they do it will be hideously expensive due to the high import taxes.

Everything's expensive. You simply won't get very far without money. Not a budget destination.

The malaria risk is fairly high everwhere except in Port Vila and on Futuna Island.

At night, potholes you dont spot can be a problem.

If you violate custom rules, e.g. use a beach owned by locals without permission, you can be in deep trouble if unlucky. I didn't experience this myself, but read stories in the news there. The problem is most present in the most rural areas.

Kava drinking can make you unable to walk.

I came to very little harm in Vanuatu, but there does seem to be a lot of potential for Mother Nature to play mischief here.

As with all tropical destinations, mosquitoes are an annoyance. At best you will receive a couple of dozen itching bites in a week or so, at worst you could pick up something a lot nastier. The whole of the country is malarial all year round, so make sure you're taking medication and adequate precautions.

On my VERY FIRST STEP into the Pacific Ocean, I got stung by a jellyfish. Only a mild sting, but it shows they are pretty prevalent. I don't think there are any lethal jellies in Vanuatu, but take care. I was enjoying a leisurely swim when I happened upon a large school of them just in front of me. I avoided them, but that proves you have to be vigilant.

I took a swim on my own in Erakor lagoon once and upon my return a local told me that aggressive sharks have been known to frequent those waters. Shark attacks are extremely rare anywhere, but still it's best to avoid known risk areas.

There are a LOT of very big bugs around, some of which are poisonous. The picture in this chapter shows a spider I found in the garden at the place I was staying. For perspective, that little blob to the top-right of it is a NORMAL sized spider!

Take care in the waters around Port Vila and Iririki island, as there are a lot of sea urchins in the shallows. These are not dangerous but it's very painful if you get stung by one. I've experienced that, although not in Vanuatu.

Other natural dangers include snakes, stonefish, coral cuts and other tropical staples.

Big cyclones hit Vanuatu every few years and there are a few active volcanoes. If something like that happens, there's not much you can do to prevent it!

That's quite a long list, but don't let that put you off. I repeat, no harm came to me apart from mozzie bites and a mild jellyfish sting, and there's nothing here that you wouldn't find in more popular holiday destinations such as Australia, Thailand or Fiji, so don't let it put you off.

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Warnings or Dangers.
First danger is the kids, you will want to take them home with you there so cute.
Time, well the people have there own time, nothing happens in a hurry, so you may as well just enjoy the fact that its all slow.
We where suppose to be picked up at 4am every morning for our fishing trips, the earlist was 1,30 am and the latest was 8,30 am, it realy didn't make that much diffrence to our trip, after three nights of wrong time's we decided to stay in bed and just wait for them to knock on the door, it worked for us.
Transport, if you happend to miss the bus, wait three minutes there will be another one coming around the bend.
Food is pretty good all through the island, some of it may look not right but it tastes good all the same.
Getting through customs was pretty easy, no real hang ups there.
Air flights where on time.
Health, allways check with yah Doctor before going on any trip.

Hi,

Just a note that if you ARE heading off to the outer islands - or even prone to the odd stomach bug, it is really worth taking some gastro tablets.

For the outer islands - any small cuts can turn nasty quite easily and quickly. Flies are about, and as soon as they touch your skin... BAM! INFECTION! It is worth takign some antibiotics, lots of bandaids and insect repellent for the just in case. Hospitals in Vanuatu - well it's nearly worth just self diagnosing yourself! The trick is to just be careful about open cuts; stomach bugs are hard to avoid - even though hygiene is generally pretty good.

Any questions?

gordio_@hotmail.com

Get all your shots before you go! Vanuatu is a third world country and you find its very rural and people don't live in very clean conditions. There's livestock running everywhere in the villages amongst the friendly locals. They are so cute (especially the chickens) but you need to be careful and make sure you're immunised.
Also, eat only from trusted sources and peel veggies and fruit yourself. Unwashed foods or dirty vegetables is a great way to get Hep A.
You can get Hep A and B shots from your doctor before you go. Don't run the risk!