VANUATU TRAVEL TIPS

Vanuatu, a gem in the South Pacific , is just waiting for you to explore. It is defined by two seasons : wet/cyclone season from November-March and dry/hot season from April-October. However, year round it is always humid. Vanuatu is made up of lots of islands. Efate Island is where the capital Port Vila and biggest airport in Vanuatu serving international and domestic flights . Different islands mean several travel considerations to take into account. For Efate Island, here are my main tips:

1. November-March is cyclone/wet season. It means much less tourists, peace and quiet plus cheaper airfares and hotel prices. Still humid

2.Buses and taxies are identified with a red capital B or T on their registration plates, mostly sedans and mini vans or small seat buses, inexpensive way to get around the town

3.Make sure you exchange money prior to arriving in Vanuatu, and carry Vanuatu Vatu cash on you, hotels and shops may only take Vatu cash. If they do take card, it often incurs a surcharge fee.

4. Locals carrying iguanas around town may put them on you and then charge $5 Vatu for a photo

5.Vaccinations are not generally required unless you going deep into the jungle or outer islands. In addition make sure you have travel insurance for extra protection for the unexpected.

Top 5 things to do at Intercontinental Fiji Golf and Spa Resort

Natadola Beach, an hour's drive from Fiji capital Nadi, is a beautiful piece of serene paradise with white sand and clear turquoise/blue waters with swaying palm trees, the ultimate relaxation place going on "Fiji Time" . Intercontinental Fiji Golf and Spa Resort has so much to experience, here's my handpicked suggestions I have personally done.

1. Jetskiing Safari with Hydro Sports Fiji

Part of the Intercontinental Fiji Golf and Spa Resort, Hydro Sports Fiji offers a wide variety of water activities including snorkelling, diving, parasailing, paddleboard , kayak hire and a JetSki safari. The JetSki Safari has really set the bar for memorable experiences on my travels, and is if not the best activity I have done!. You can have your own Jetski or go tandem with your spouse, friend or sibling. Hydro Sports Fiji are very serious when it comes to safety, and you go through a safety briefing including things to do and not to do, prior to hopping on your JetSki and taking in this awesome adventure. I had two awesome Fijian led tour guides that were humorous, fun and wanted us to enjoy the tour. I went on a tandem with my mum and my brother and sister also partnered together. It was unreal skimming across the water in the middle between the waves breaking and land seeing the colours change from a browny colour because of rocks in shallow water to different shades of green such as aqua and turquoise and dark blue. Occasionally whilst jet skiing, the tour guides would stop back and make sure we were all ok and our jet skis fine before continuing. We then got to the waves breaking and then turned around where we shortly parked our jet skis and hopped off to do snorkelling in the most beautiful clear aqua/turquoise waters with spa like temperatures full of colourful fish and coral reef. You are given a mask and snorkel with flippers and life vest is provided before you get on the JetSki. After immersing myself in the beautiful waters and in my absolute element in Zen, it was time to go back. We stopped over at Robinson Crusoe Island for some refreshments of sweet pastries and fruit, epitome of island living with traditional Fijian huts, fire pits and bar with picnic tables and retro music to add to the vibe.

Snorkelling in the beautiful waters of the South Pacific!

Robinson Crusoe Island

Holding a blue starfish! And with my awesome tour guide Mas!

2. Go on an outing to Sigatoka with hotel transfers!. About a 35 minute drive from the Intercontinental Fiji Golf and Spa Resort, is the town of Sigatoka! Known as "Rugby Town" due to the deep love and passion coursing through the veins of Sigatokans, where trophies of the national team of Fiji seven a side or Rugby 7 are proudly displayed in the souvenir shop called Tapoo. Sigatoka is home to the Municipal markets where you will see locals selling fruit, fish, vegetables and Kava roots to make the traditional Kava drink!. You will also have an opportunity to buy souvenirs to remember your trip by at Tapoo. From large scale and small scale Indigenous war weapons like clubs to key rings, flags, Fiji national rugby team official tops and traditional drums to name just a few!.

Kava Roots at the Sigatoka Muncipal Markets to make the traditional Kava drink

Some of the Indigenous weapons you can purchase at Tapoo souvenir store in Sigatoka.

Trophy cabinet of the Fiji 7 a side

Trophy cabinet Fiji seven a side 2

3. Go for a walk on Natadola Beach and take in the beautiful scenery from the white sand full of broken coral , coconuts , shells and sometimes seaweed. There are also rock pools and when you get to these rockpools/caves, be on the look out for the highly venomous sea snake displaying its toxicity with its white and black bands. I saw a juvenile sea snake crawl into a very narrow crevice of a cave. Remember to keep your distance .

Shiny coconut

The insanely beautiful clear aqua waters of Natadola Beach

Washed up coral!

Pretty shell

4. Go to the hotel's Kama Lounge, a trendy bar and lounge area with chilled vibes playing goodmusic to match the relaxed vibes. As a rugby mad nation, don't be surprised to see big rugby matches playing on the projector . The bar and lounge offers light meals such as breadsticks and bread with a trio of dips and chicken wings, with a few more options. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, but I recommend the outdoor seating to have the best view of the daily changing Fijian live entertainment that takes place with drink in hand and light meal on the table . There is entertainment from singers covering popular songs to bare chested buff drummers with tribal face and chest painting who light the torches in a symbolic ceremony.

Kama Lounge bar area

One of the Fijian drummers and I

5. Have a cocktail by the Infinity Pool. This isn't really an activity but its something I highly recommend, especially with the great cocktails Kama Lounge and Toba Bar and Grill have on their menus with waiters more then happy to deliver the cocktail you order right to your sundeck . I especially recommend getting a cocktail by the pool just before Natadola Beach's stunning golden sunsets with hues of orange and pink .

Pina Colada by the pool on sunset. Does it get better than this??

DAY 3:Singapore

The day kicked off with getting on the MRT to HarbourFront , having the same breakfast as yesterday. I then went to Universal Studios on Sentosa Island!. This was my second time, having last been in 2010. I have also been to Universal Studios in Orlando , Florida, USA and Los Angeles , California, USA. There is so much to see and do at US , there are amusement rides, entertainment, meet and greets, and diners.

Entrance to Universal Studios

"New York"

Part of an American themed diner i had lunch at!. "Mel's".

My first ride was on the Jurassic Parks Rapids Adventure where I did get wet but not totally drenched :P. After the raft, I went on the Battlestar Galactica: Cylon which actually is in sync with another rollercoaster Human, which I eventually went on later. It was hard to tell which one was more heart stopping! . Following that I went on “Revenge of the Mummy” an indoor high speed roller coaster which for the most part is in pitch black with lots of sound and lighting effects!. Next was the much more tame “Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey a rollercoaster for a much more inclusive age audience.

Mixing it up a bit was “ Donkey Live”, where Donkey from Shrek interacted and made the audience laugh with his renown humour.After a significant downpour and lightning, in which i got quite drenched seeing as I was on the very fun roller coaster Battlestar Galactica: Human and then running (failing epically as i was wearing thongs ) I went to WaterWorld which is an exciting stunt show on the water involving jet ski , plane , machine guns, shotguns, explosions and awesome effects!. Afterwards, I returned to go 2 more times on Battlestar Galactica : Cylon. I sure am an adrenalin junkie :P.

The fiery conclusion of the show! Literally going out with a bang.

After a full day at Universal Studios, I got a monorail to Beach Monorail Station and walked to Palawan Beach to have a dip in the warm salty waters of the Singapore Strait. It truely is a beautiful place to swim or just relax in. Getting a monorail back to Vivo Centre, I then went back on the MRT to Chinatown!.Chinatown is full of hawkers selling authentic (and very yummy) Chinese food, gift shops decorated with lanterns and souvenirs . It is in a perfect location with Chinatown MRT station right in the heart of it, and has a lively , vibrant atmosphere . Where I enjoyed fried rice it is undercover so is enjoyable all weather round!.

Life's a beach

Entering Chinatown

Chinatown souvenirs for Chinese New Year

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