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Time seems to stand still here, perhaps that is why the
string of lush green islands forming the nation was
named Vanuatu or the “Land Eternal.” Slip into velvety
seas and explore an underwater kingdom untouched by
time. Discover caves and swimming holes where
generations of ni-Vanuatu (indigenous inhabitants) have
spent lazy afternoons playing and are more than happy to
share these special places with you. Although Vanuatu
has hotspots and high-rises, particularly in the capital
city of Port Vila, what most attracts visitors to these
islands and keeps them coming back is the focus on
tradition and Melanesian Kastom – the real
Vanuatu. |
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When explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville gazed
upon Vanuatu’s untouched forests brimming with
extravagant bird life, he later wrote that he had been
‘transported to the Garden of Eden.’ Whether it is
Vanuatu’s smoking peaks or deep, clear waters, you
certainly get the feeling that this is a special place.
One of Vanuatu’s most breathtaking features is its
inhabitant’s ability to fly. From April to June, men
dive off bush timber platforms with flexible vines tied
to their ankles and plummet to earth at bone-chilling
speeds. It is believed that by their hair touching the
ground below, the land will be fertilized, ensuring a
successful yam harvest. For those who prefer to have
fun feet-first, visit hot springs at appropriately named
Hotwata or dive Gotham City, a crayola-colored reef
named for the large population of batfish calling it
home. |
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