Vanuatu & New Caledonia - tour ideas

blueoval · 17-03-2008, 05:56 PM

Hi all,

We have booked a 10 day cruise on the P&O Pacific Dawn in August.

It leaves Sydney and goes has 4 stops. Noumea, Ouvea, Vila & Wala.

For those who have been on this route or have been to these places, what are the best tours you can do?

Its my first cruise and am really looking forward to having the best time possible on it.

Any advice regarding the above would be greatly appreciated.

GreenMachine · 17-03-2008, 05:59 PM

New Caledonia is amazing - I'd spend as much time there as possible. Not sure on organised tours, but if you can, hire a car and drive north towards Bourail along the coast - mountains and beaches and little towns and other picturesque stuff.

blueoval · 17-03-2008, 06:04 PM

well we are only stopping at each port for a day at a time. Would you think I would have enough time to do what your suggesting?

rodderz · 17-03-2008, 06:07 PM

Me and the missus went to Vanuatu last year for our honeymoon. We loved it that much we will probably go back sometime this year.

We stayed in Port Vila, the people there to me are no doubt the friendliest of any overseas country I have been too. Very laid back and plenty to see and do.

I would recommend the round island tour, takes a full day, but you see the whole island of Efate. There is also the tour to the cascades which is a series of waterfalls that come down from the mountains. There are also kayak tours, helicopter and jet boat tours, game or reef fishing (great fishing too), and a heap of other day trips to nearby islands, Volcano's, reefs.

Probably will get the most info from somewhere like the Melanesian Hotel or one of the main street tour companies who do all the booking for you, even pick you up. Sometimes if you get in with some of the locals they will give you a tour for half the price of a tour company one. In terms of price, it's roughly the same cost as doing tours in Australia, once converted.

GreenMachine · 17-03-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

well we are only stopping at each port for a day at a time. Would you think I would have enough time to do what your suggesting?

I'd say so... Depends on how early you get in/when you need to be back. If you've got a full day, you could.

blueoval · 17-03-2008, 06:16 PM

thats great, thanks for the tip rodderz.

I was thinking of doing a day tour but wasnt sure what. There wasnt a lot on offer as far as tours were concerned in Ouvea or Wala. But yes, Noumea and Vila had the best offerings.

Click HERE for our itinerary. If you click on the link per port, it will take you to the list of tours on offer.

I like the thought of a cruise around the island, although being on a boat for most of the trip, I dont know if I would like to go on another boat straight after. I guess I'll just have to man up if this cruise your saying is worthwhile. lol

I was thinking of some snorkeling too as a possibility. Even thought of doing the off road buggy's.

blueoval · 17-03-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

I'd say so... Depends on how early you get in/when you need to be back. If you've got a full day, you could.

It is a full day according to the itinerary. refer previous post for link.

We get in at 8am and depart late in the afternoon.

rodderz · 17-03-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

well we are only stopping at each port for a day at a time. Would you think I would have enough time to do what your suggesting?

Now that you mention that...you probably won't get a chance to do the bigger tours in Vila. From memory when we were there the ships got there late at night or early morning, and disappear the next night. The shops and markets like to raise prices when a ship is in town, as everyone goes shopping.

blueoval · 17-03-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

Now that you mention that...you probably won't get a chance to do the bigger tours in Vila. From memory when we were there the ships got there late at night or early morning, and disappear the next night. The shops and markets like to raise prices when a ship is in town, as everyone goes shopping.

Thanks heaps for that tip. Sneaky sods. Is there any room for bargaining when it comes to shopping?

rodderz · 17-03-2008, 06:48 PM

sort of, you can pay cash and get a cheaper price it depends on the item. It's not like haggling like in most of asia, but you still can get good deals

blueoval · 17-03-2008, 06:52 PM

I'll certainly have my wits about me if I get anything then.

I'm hoping the weather will be nice that time of year too. It would be great to be able to swim in crystal blue water.

Im getting goose bumps just thinking about it now. lol :P

rodderz · 17-03-2008, 07:14 PM

Water will be nice... weather probably mid to high 20's and humid, odd shower

Expect some possible big seas though, that time of year the sea trade winds are greatest

When we went game fishing the missus spent 7 hrs throwing up and feeling seasick, the swells were 3 to 4 m high in some spots. Lucky she was a good sport and let me fish

DBourne · 17-03-2008, 07:30 PM

i did that exact cruise last year, and mate you're going to have a blast!!!!

A cruise is unlike any other overseas holiday i've been on, you have NO worries about anything. all the food is taken care of, when you're not out at a port exploring, you're on the boat drinking/eating/in the sun.

just enjoy the time mate, you'll never have a holiday this relaxing again

blueoval · 17-03-2008, 09:20 PM

thanks sarge, glad to know u did the same one.

Yes I was told I should be looked after. Im on the A deck also so I hope I will enjoy.

This ship has 9 bars. I suspect a lot of intoxication will be in order.

Rodderz - I hope your mrs fed the fish well. lol
I for one dont cope well with rough seas, especialy with swells that high, so I might give that one a miss. :P

**Raptor** · 17-03-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

i did that exact cruise last year, and mate you're going to have a blast!!!!

A cruise is unlike any other overseas holiday i've been on, you have NO worries about anything. all the food is taken care of, when you're not out at a port exploring, you're on the boat drinking/eating/in the sun.

just enjoy the time mate, you'll never have a holiday this relaxing again

Couldn't agree more. My family did this tour as well about 18 months ago.
That was my first ever cruise and no.2 is coming up in April

Such great value, relaxing for everyone

: and oh the food

We hopped on a bus tour of Noumea that was pretty good. It wasn't one run by the cruise line but one we lined up as soon as we got there (much better value and easy to do, right in the visitors centre where you dock)

Port Vila was good to just browse the shops and the girls had their hair braided. Choose your taxi carefully, I looked for one with tread and some semblance of roadworthiness, the driving was another matter altogether

:

At Wala go on a walk into the tribes villages (guided) and go snokeling here, they have a very traditional way of life and it's just the village on the beach.

I can't help with Ouvea as we didn't dock there but you can't really go wrong. You'll probably only want to be off the ship for a few hours at a time so you don't miss the happy hours or the buffet.

Your in for a great time

:

DBourne · 18-03-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

This ship has 9 bars. I suspect a lot of intoxication will be in order.

I for one dont cope well with rough seas, especialy with swells that high, so I might give that one a miss. :P

re the bars, you'll end up having a favourite, i can't think of the name of the one i kept going back to, but you'll either enjoy the ambience, the bar staff or something and whilst u'll sample all the bars, i at least, had 1 i kept going back to..

drinks were well priced too, considering international waters and the fact u didnt exactly have any other way of getting booze, it was really well priced!!!

as for the seas, i think i was lucky, we only got the normal boat rocking and 1 smallish/mediumish wave during dinner the entire time...

also, near dusk, get to the front of the boat and look at the bow of the ship, and look carefully for the flying fish, they are freaky as all hell

blueoval · 18-03-2008, 02:04 AM

great tips there fellas thanks heaps.

raptor - i am a food critic. i love me food. i heard that at each port the boat serves up dishes of the local cuisine. is this so? man im hungry just thinking about it.

:
i suspect i will have gained 10kg by the time the cruise has finished.

sarge - yes i reckon you are right about the bars. sometimes 1 or 2 of them just strike u and u need to just go back.

the facilities on the boat, are they as good as they look in the photos? do u guys try the gym or sauna?

i hear tipping is a good thing on board, do u agree?

im situated at the rear of the ship on the aloha deck. its all we could get at the time. should i worry about getting sea sick?

DBourne · 18-03-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

the facilities on the boat, are they as good as they look in the photos? do u guys try the gym or sauna?

the boat i was on (pacific dawn or something to that effect) had a small gym, but the rocking of the boat, whilst it was subtle, was enough to put me off when i was trying to use the weights.

Quote:

i hear tipping is a good thing on board, do u agree?

you can elect to give $5 a day tip if you wish (this is put on your bill automatically)

Quote:

im situated at the rear of the ship on the aloha deck. its all we could get at the time. should i worry about getting sea sick?

well obviously the middle is the most sedate part of the ship, but unless its rough sea's i think you'd be fine, it helped me get to sleep thats for sure!

blueoval · 18-03-2008, 06:18 PM

thanks sarge.

As far as tipping was concerned I was looking at giving cash direct to the concierge that looks after our floor. My mum who has been on a similar trip said that if you did this they would bend over backwards to help you. Not sure on how much extra attention I would encounter. Plus I aint made of money.:P

I dont respond well to a rocking anything (unless its a lumpy V8

) but I am willing to give it (the gym) a try if conditions are sedate.

cheers again

DBourne · 18-03-2008, 06:22 PM

i never did tip our floor man, i always had a decent conversation with him though, and to be honest i think they prefer that, actual human interaction rather than just giving them money.

blueoval · 18-03-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

i never did tip our floor man, i always had a decent conversation with him though, and to be honest i think they prefer that, actual human interaction rather than just giving them money.

Well I would prefer not to. I just dont want to flog off X amount of dollars if there is no guarantee of anything special. but yeah, I treat everyone as equals so there will be no prejudice or stereo typing coming from me.

fnm17 · 20-03-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

Port Vila was good to just browse the shops and the girls had their hair braided. Choose your taxi carefully, I looked for one with tread and some semblance of roadworthiness, the driving was another matter altogether

:

LOL !!!! When we went there last year, the Taxi's were extremely dodgy !!! And my Misus would leave fingernail marks in my legs with the standard of driving going on.

Villa is great, the Cascade waterfall is awesome, except when a ship full of P&O tour groups come through :(

Yeah as it has been mentioned before, the locals bump up all their prices when a cruise boat comes in.

Also the coconut crab is pretty good !

You can always do a cruise around the island in one of these mean machines

Pedro · 20-03-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueoval

...... i am a food critic. i love me food. i heard that at each port the boat serves up dishes of the local cuisine. is this so? man im hungry just thinking about it.

:........

When you're in Vanuatu, don't miss the coconut crab and if you're game try roast bat ... it tastes like chicken.

blueoval · 20-03-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnm17

....You can always do a cruise around the island in one of these mean machines

Thats what Im talkin about man!!!

. Looks awesome. I'd prefer to hoot around in one of those than rely on the locals to bust some moves. great picture.

blueoval · 20-03-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro

When you're in Vanuatu, don't miss the coconut crab and if you're game try roast bat ... it tastes like chicken.

hmmm roast bat. Depends on if its been marinated or not. Im game to try anything at least once.

: The coconut crab sounds like my kind of thing too.

5tumpy · 20-03-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

Me and the missus went to Vanuatu last year for our honeymoon. We loved it that much we will probably go back sometime this year.

My missus and I did the same, stay at Irriki Island Resort, we also loved it, it's a totally different way of life, really blew us away! Beautiful place, the people were amazing, even the regular locals helped my wife with her baggage, I offered them a tip, but they wouldn't take it... BTW, in Vanuatu at least, tipping actually offends, it's a cultural thing apparently...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodderz

I would recommend the round island tour, takes a full day, but you see the whole island of Efate. There is also the tour to the cascades which is a series of waterfalls that come down from the mountains. There are also kayak tours, helicopter and jet boat tours, game or reef fishing (great fishing too), and a heap of other day trips to nearby islands, Volcano's, reefs.

I echo all of those sentiments, also, you have to check out a native village, there are a couple of tours you can take, but be prepared for a surprise!

fnm17 · 20-03-2008, 11:22 AM

Those little buggies run a 500cc stroker donk LOL !!! Stiff suspension, but was great fun and the french lady that runs the tours takes you all over the island.

When we stayed at villa, we scored heaps of free tours from people that ran out of time to do the tours, did parasailing, sunset cruise, diving, buggy tour, bicycle tour and even a State of Origin night at the Anchor Inn for some boozing

blueoval · 20-03-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnm17

Those little buggies run a 500cc stroker donk LOL !!! Stiff suspension, but was great fun and the french lady that runs the tours takes you all over the island.

When we stayed at villa, we scored heaps of free tours from people that ran out of time to do the tours, did parasailing, sunset cruise, diving, buggy tour, bicycle tour and even a State of Origin night at the Anchor Inn for some boozing

lol. what a bonus. You would have been wrapped getting all that extra fun for free. Im not fussed about the suspension of the buggies. Thats just what they are.....buggies. As long as I just have fun and enjoy, thats all that matters.