Luko
Contributor
Hi all,
I posted a couple of months ago a thread asking for some advices on PNG and Solomons in august, thanks to all who replied, but in the end it happens that for some complex circumstances I had forward my holidays in july and shift them southeastwards to NEW CALEDONIA and VANUATU.
Different but, well i won't ask for sympathy :cool2:
Those two places were my playgrounds when I was a kid and a teen, been raised there but in 25 years time I guess some things may have changed I need a refresher from you Pac divers :
1- NEW CALEDONIA :
I will be landing Noumea and expect to spend a few days around first : life seems atrociously expensive, do you have any ideas for a middle range accom conveniently located near the beaches quarter (Anse Vata, Baie des Citrons).
Dive centres : which to use and which spots to ask for.
Does anybody have an experience with Tenia/Bout'd'Brousse one hour drive off north Noumea?
I then have the choice either spend some more time in N/Cal or go directly in Vanuatu. if I spend time in N/Cal, what would be your trade off : Going up north (Poindimié or Hienghene?) or taking the plane to Ouvea (not interested in super touristy Ile des Pins, Ouvea seems much authentic and pristine). recommendations for accoms or places?
2- VANUATU :
Kantri blong mi fala, yeeeehaaa! :banana:
I've read some of Amlitywife's posts. Moso is definitely on my list : how long would you say? I am accompanied with non diver wife and 15 yo daughter, I am worried it is roughing them a bit, would you say Moso is also a place enjoyable for non divers (I mean with beaches and snorkeling...).
Do you have any places worth staying one night around Efate island other than in Port Vila?
Hideaway near Mele, would say it is worth staying two nights or so.. it is also a beach stay hence I don't know if it would be worth staying while I have to show my family what was my Vila life (the usual tour : where I lived, where i was going to school then go eating out, drink some kava, etc.).
Downtown Vila : I would need to stay for some nights in between because we will be going to Tanna for sure and maybe Santo (if we decide cutting short our stay in N/Cal). Which accoms would you recommend, not too expensive but still pleasant?
Dive centres in Vila. Coming from Moso and maybe Mele, would you say it is worth diving around Vila, may be the Pango or Eratap area? Which suggestions as for dive sites and dive centre?
Tanna : no dive options there, we're going only for the Yasur. Would you recommend some guesthouses or bungalows in Tanna not far from the volcano possibly? Any cultural experience like a daytrip at certain villages? (30 years ago I slept in the John Frum village with the pigs waking me up in the morning. fantastic... but I reckon my daughter wouldn't be very happy with it..)
Santo : maybe maybe not... I am looking for a family accom not a divers den. Any opinion on Aore resort? Other dives to recommand than the Coolidge?
Am I missing someplace for Vanuatu I should immediately see(other than the 400 other islands I didn't mention)?
Thanks in advance for your input, I must decide quickly as I am going in a month. (Can't wait to be there!!!!!!!!)
I posted a couple of months ago a thread asking for some advices on PNG and Solomons in august, thanks to all who replied, but in the end it happens that for some complex circumstances I had forward my holidays in july and shift them southeastwards to NEW CALEDONIA and VANUATU.
Different but, well i won't ask for sympathy :cool2:
Those two places were my playgrounds when I was a kid and a teen, been raised there but in 25 years time I guess some things may have changed I need a refresher from you Pac divers :
1- NEW CALEDONIA :
I will be landing Noumea and expect to spend a few days around first : life seems atrociously expensive, do you have any ideas for a middle range accom conveniently located near the beaches quarter (Anse Vata, Baie des Citrons).
Dive centres : which to use and which spots to ask for.
Does anybody have an experience with Tenia/Bout'd'Brousse one hour drive off north Noumea?
I then have the choice either spend some more time in N/Cal or go directly in Vanuatu. if I spend time in N/Cal, what would be your trade off : Going up north (Poindimié or Hienghene?) or taking the plane to Ouvea (not interested in super touristy Ile des Pins, Ouvea seems much authentic and pristine). recommendations for accoms or places?
2- VANUATU :
Kantri blong mi fala, yeeeehaaa! :banana:
I've read some of Amlitywife's posts. Moso is definitely on my list : how long would you say? I am accompanied with non diver wife and 15 yo daughter, I am worried it is roughing them a bit, would you say Moso is also a place enjoyable for non divers (I mean with beaches and snorkeling...).
Do you have any places worth staying one night around Efate island other than in Port Vila?
Hideaway near Mele, would say it is worth staying two nights or so.. it is also a beach stay hence I don't know if it would be worth staying while I have to show my family what was my Vila life (the usual tour : where I lived, where i was going to school then go eating out, drink some kava, etc.).
Downtown Vila : I would need to stay for some nights in between because we will be going to Tanna for sure and maybe Santo (if we decide cutting short our stay in N/Cal). Which accoms would you recommend, not too expensive but still pleasant?
Dive centres in Vila. Coming from Moso and maybe Mele, would you say it is worth diving around Vila, may be the Pango or Eratap area? Which suggestions as for dive sites and dive centre?
Tanna : no dive options there, we're going only for the Yasur. Would you recommend some guesthouses or bungalows in Tanna not far from the volcano possibly? Any cultural experience like a daytrip at certain villages? (30 years ago I slept in the John Frum village with the pigs waking me up in the morning. fantastic... but I reckon my daughter wouldn't be very happy with it..)
Santo : maybe maybe not... I am looking for a family accom not a divers den. Any opinion on Aore resort? Other dives to recommand than the Coolidge?
Am I missing someplace for Vanuatu I should immediately see(other than the 400 other islands I didn't mention)?
Thanks in advance for your input, I must decide quickly as I am going in a month. (Can't wait to be there!!!!!!!!)