Vanuatu is a Y-shaped chain of 83 islands. Port Vila is the capital of the wonderland of coral reefs and volcanically formed islands. Three are active and provide marvellous displays for visitors. There are wonderful waterfalls and natural thermal pools to enjoy, and beneath the crystal sea are wrecks to explore and kilometres of vibrantly coloured corals. Beaches have white or black sand.
Iririki Island Resort & Spa is on a 69-acre private island in the heart of Port Vila harbour. It's just a three-minute ferry trip from the township to the resort, a complimentary 24-hour service that allows guests to be close to town but a world away. Complimentary electric shuttle buggies circle the Resort every 10 minutes, so it's easy to get around.
For many years Iririki was for adults only, but that has changed. Thanks to a huge makeover in July 2011, it's now aiming to become Vanuatu's most family friendly destination, with children given full access to every facility including the island fares, restaurants, cafes and pools. All apartment rooms now accommodate up to two adults and three kids.
There is a range of accommodation: Waterfront, harbour view and garden view fares; deluxe ocean view rooms, deluxe pool view rooms and penthouses.
There are 70 detached fares with the choice of king, queen or king single beds. All have air-conditioning and ceiling fans and private shady balconies are perfect for morning tea and evening cocktails.
New deluxe rooms and penthouses are the ultimate in luxury, right down to having a balcony spa tub.
Relive the legend of James A Michener in the restaurant named after him. Seafood and beef are specialties on the a la carte menu, and there are Melanesian theme nights and Sunday barbecues. Live entertainment is provided every night. It is also the venue for tropical buffet breakfasts.
The Watermark restaurant is right on the beach with a great outdoor deck and serves taste platters and grill plates, excellent wines and locally brewed Tusker beer.
The Bali Hai and Sunset Cafés serve great espresso, exotic tropical cocktails and light meals.
Whatever your interests, they can almost certainly be indulged. Diving, snorkelling, golf, swimming, jet-skiing or just lying by a pool are some of the things in store at Iririki.
You can snorkel from the Resort's beach or explore the reef further out. Kayaking, windsurfing and catamaraning are complimentary to guests.
For something wonderfully different, the Resort's tour desk can arrange a visit to a local village. Ekasup is a short drive and is nestled in the heart of the Erakor woods. Visitors are greeted by the chief and his warriors who are armed with clubs, spears, bows and arrows.
The village is divided into areas and the Chief takes you to see different lifestyles ranging from farming, home economics, architecture and tells about the ancestors' cannibalism. See native herbs used for medicine, food preservation and roasting, hunting traps, weaving and other cultural and traditional ways. The tour is a window onto real Melanesian skills which have survived for thousands of years.
