We began our time in Vanuatu on the island of Aore. We stayed at Aore Island Resorts. The resort arranged transport for us from the airport in Luganvile. It was a short drive to the boat dock and then a 10 minute boat ride to the island.
When we arrived at the resort we were greeted by the owner and a nice fresh coconut drink. Our bags were taken to our room while we checked in and found out activities available on the islands.
As soon as we arrived to the resort we were instantly relaxed. It was such a beautiful, peaceful place.
Day 1
On our first day we used the free bikes on offer at the resort and explored Aore Island. Not far from the resort are a number of WW2 US bunkers. The insides of the bunkers contain old equipment and other random items. They also seem to be the home of a number of birds – so be careful when looking inside the bunker or standing in the doorway. We had a nice “hello” with the birds flying at us!
After the bunkers, we continued up the main road until we arrived at the Freshwater Plantation. At the plantation, you can go on a tour of the plantation as well as a bat cave. Our tour guide was great and explained the process of growing, fermenting and drying cocoa ready to be made into chocolate. It was really interesting seeing the cocoa plants and learning about the process. We got to see and taste part of the plants we weren’t aware of. Ben, a major chocolate lover, was in heaven.
After seeing the plantation we headed to the bat cave. It was full of small bats and cockroaches. The cave was setup with lights and bridge that you walk over to see the main area of the cave. Once you crossed the bridge, the ceiling of the cave was covered in bats and the walls around you (and the floor) were covered in cockroaches.
While we were in the cave it started raining heavily, so we tried to wait out the rain, but it didn’t seem to be stopping any time soon. The guide ran outside the cave, chopped down a few elephant ear plants, and brought back the leaves for us to use as umbrellas. It was a fun extra experience – and the leaves made really good umbrellas.
After the tour we headed back to the plantation restaurant for lunch. The meal was amazing and the fruit drinks (throughout Vanuatu) were amazing. I think I had more fruit in our week long trip than I have in months. I couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit. At the restaurant you can also buy chocolate bars made from the cocoa plants on the plantation.
After lunch we we snorkelling off the beach in front of the resort. The snorkelling on the island was fantastic – lots of fish and bright blue star fish. It was a great area to snorkel.
After snorkelling at the plantation we headed back to our resort and snorkelled some more. We saw more fish, starfish, and a manta ray.
Day 2
On our second day, we explored Espiritu Santo island. The resort arranged the day tour with Heritage Tours. Our guide was great, full of information as we drove around the island. He stopped at various times to buy fresh fruit and to show us plants and how to use them for food. It was all very interesting.
During our tour we went to Champagne Beach, had lunch at Port Olry beach, and then went swimming at a blue hole.
Champagne beach was beautiful. We pretty much had the beach to ourselves. The water was a pretty blue and the snorkeling was amazing. When snorkeling we saw and swam with a huge turtle. It was incredible.
Port Olry was also beautiful. While we waited for our lunch we had a nice walk along the beach. The setting was picture perfect – blue water and blue sky.
After Port Orly, we headed to a blue hole for more swimming and snorkeling. Again, there was hardly anyone there and felt like we had the place to ourselves. The blue hole was larger than I expected and was an amazing shade of blue. There was a large banyan tree with a swing into the water.
After the blue hole we headed back to the resort for some rest and relaxation.
Day 3
For our last full day on the island Ben went diving at the SS President Coolidge wreck. I don’t dive so I had a lazy morning at the resort and then headed into Luganvile to have a look around.
Ben had a great time diving the wreck. They got to explore the inside and outside of the ship.
By our last night at the resort, it felt like we had been there for weeks. Everything is slow-paced, beautiful and relaxing. We enjoyed every moment on the island and at the resort. It was exciting that we still had five more nights in Vanuatu.
Our next stop was Tanna Island.