TRAVEL WITH CHRIS BROWN

 TRAVEL WITH CHRIS BROWN
VANUATU: TANNA VOLCANO
When most people think of island getaways, they think of resorts and umbrella
drinks... but this week, Chris is headed to an island getaway with a difference. On
Vanuatu’s Tanna Island, Chris gets to visit an active volcano but first he needs to get
some courage and words of advice from the Chief of a black magic village. Will this
be enough to get him to the top of Mt Yasur? And will he make it back to tell his
tale?
VANUATU FAST FACTS:
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Officially named the Republic of Vanuatu.
An island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which
is of volcanic origin, is some 1,750 kilometres (1,090 mi) east of northern
Australia.
Capital City is Port Vila (on the island of Efate)
Local currency: Vatu (VT)
There are over 120 distinct languages and many more dialects in Vanuatu but
3 official languages: English, French and Bislama (pidgin English).
Vanuatu was first inhabited by Melanesian people.
TANNA ISLAND
ABOUT:
• The island is 40 km (25 mi) long and 19 km (12 mi) wide, with a total area of
565 km².
• Tanna means ‘earth’ in Tannese.
• Tanna is best known as the home to one of Vanuatu’s most popular tourist
attractions, the Mount Yasur volcano. Considered one of the world’s safest
and most accessible volcanoes, Mt Yasur is just a two hour drive from Tanna’s
White Grass Airport followed by a short 15/20 minute walk to the crater rim.
• Today Tanna is one of the Islands where culture and custom are still very
strong. Many villages have turned their backs on the modern ways and
preferred their traditional way of life. The Tanna people recognise the
importance of their 'kastom' and require all visitors to travel with local guides.
GEOGRAPHY:
The island is a mixture of savannah, forest and rugged mountains – stretching from
the grasslands and scrub of the north-west to the mountains and dense forest of the
south-west. The fertile centre contains thriving market gardens which produce a
variety of fruit and vegetables, and the country’s best-known product, Tanna
coffee.
KASTOM VILLAGES
Tanna is populated almost entirely by Melanesians and they follow a more
traditional lifestyle than many other islands. Some of the villages are known as
kastom villages, where modern inventions are restricted, the inhabitants wear penis
sheaths and grass skirts, and the children do not go to public schools.
Tanna’s 30 000 ihabitants have largely retained their original custom and culture,
preferring to turn their back on modern ways. Ceremonies, including the annual yam
festival, circumcision rites and marriages, are frequent events and feature the
unique Tannese face painting that is often seen in photos of Vanuatu.
SORCERY & BLACK MAGIC
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Sorcery is a big part of ni-Vanuatu cultural heritage. While more than 80
percent of the people of Vanuatu follow Christianity, belief in sorcery and
animist traditions is deeply rooted. Black magic is passed down through
families and can take the form of a poison put into someone's food, or a spell
motivated by a grievance against a tribe or a person in the community.
The practice of sorcery is considered a serious crime by the majority of the
population of Vanuatu, and continues to be a source of community disorder
and fear, however there are no laws in Vanuatu against sorcery as it is
virtually impossible to prove. (NOT SURE THIS IS CORRECT)
MT. YASUR VOLCANO
FAST FACTS:
• An active volcano with a height of 361 m (1,184 ft) above sea level, located
on the coast near Sulphur Bay.
• Yasur volcano on Tanna Island is one of the most famous volcanoes in the
world, simply because it is so easy to reach.
• It has a largely unvegetated pyroclastic cone with a nearly circular summit
crater 400 m in diameter.
• It has been erupting nearly continuously for over 800 years, although it can
usually be approached safely. Its eruptions, which often occur several times
an hour, are classified as Strombolian or Vulcanian.
• Recently, tourism has become more important, as tourists are attracted to the
volcano and traditional culture. To help preserve the integrity of culture as a
tourism asset, only local people are permitted to act as guides.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE:
The other aspect of ash falls is that it builds up into a thick mud, almost as hard as
concrete. But when it rains a lot, the ash mud can turn into a landslide and bury
whole villages.
Because of the importance of the volcano to the tourism industry in Tanna, the local
government has created levels to restrict people's access:
VANUATU VOLCANIC ALERT LEVEL (VVAL):
Lvl. ?
Insufficient Monitoring to make assessment
Lvl. 0
Normal low-level activity.
Normal, quiet.
Lvl. 1
Increased activity, danger near
crater only.
Signs of awakening
Lvl. 2
Moderate eruptions, danger close
to the volcano vent, within parts of
Volcanic Hazards Map Red Zone.
Confirmation of awakening, minor
eruptions and danger near to crater.
Lvl. 3
Large eruption, danger in specific
areas within parts of Volcanic
Hazards Map Red and Yellow
Zones.
Moderate to large eruption, danger in
areas near crater and along main
stream valleys.
Lvl. 4
Very large eruption, island-wide
danger (including areas within Red,
Yellow and Green Zones).
Very large eruption, island-wide
danger and potential impacrs on
neighbouring islands.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Geohazards office at the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geohazards
Department:
Ph:
24686
Email: gesline@vanuatu.gov.vu / stodman@vanuatu.gov.vu
Web: www.geohazards.gov.vu
GETTING THERE
You can't get to Tanna directly unless you sail to Vanuatu on a yacht. Tanna is a port
of entry into Vanuatu but all international flights go to Port Villa, on the island of Efate
or Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo. So you need to fly to Port Vila, stay one
night, then fly to Tanna the next day - and fly back at least a day before you plan to
return home.
The airport on Tanna is at White Grass - on the western side of the island. Many of the
Tanna resorts and bungalows are clustered near the airport.
Air Vanuatu offers a daily service from Sydney to Port Vila, three days a week from
Brisbane and once weekly from Melbourne (until 7 October 2012 and then
December 20 2012 – January 17 2013). Return economy fares including taxes start at
$511 from Brisbane, $559 from Sydney and $649 from Melbourne. Air Vanuatu is a full
service airline, meals, drinks and inflight entertainment are complimentary
Air Vanuatu operates domestic air services in Vanuatu between the islands.
For more information go to: www.airvanuatu.com
Also visit Unity Airlines for information on smaller charter flights to Tanna and flights
over the volcano www.unity-airlines.com
A day safari costs: 36,900 Vatu cash per person (approx $400 AUD) and an overnight
safari costs from Cost: 42,900 Vatu cash per person (approx $460 AUD)
ACCOMMODATION:
White Grass Ocean Resort, Tanna
Fourteen individual bures have sea views and lie
within the manicured gardens of White Grass Ocean
Resort. Each has unique decorative elements which
reflect the distinctive South Pacific locale, yet
incorporates the comforts of hot water showers in ensuite bathrooms, ceiling fans, bed canopy nets, mini
bars, tea and coffee making facilities and private
balconies.
Rates start at approximately $275
Phone: (678) 30010
info@whitegrasstanna.com
www.whitegrassvanuatu.com.vu
TOURS:
Tours are available to be booked through White Grass Ocean Resort
www.whitegrassvanuatu.com.vu
Mount Yasur Volcano and Safari Tour:
The tour gives guests the opportunity to have a true experience of what Tanna
beholds as you travel by 4 wheel drive to the far side of Tanna through the mountain
region known as ‘Middle Bush’; passing by wild horses, coffee planations and remote
villages before crossing Mt. Loanialu where you will stop for a photo opportunity of
the distant volcano, black sand surf beaches and Sulphur Bay. Trace your way
across the moon like landscape of the ash plains and then a short 10 min walk will
take guests to the rim of the crater where they will be able to experience the
awesome majesty of the mighty Mount Yasur Volcano. A guide will accompany
them for informative and safety purposes. This tour departs daily at 2:30pm to ensure
that guests arrive at the volcano to experience the sun setting and the change in
colour, as the molten lava lights up the sky.
Cost: Adults 12,400 vatu (approx $135 AUD)Children 6,200 vatu (approx $66 AUD)
Black Magic Tour:
Experience the rituals of Black Magic practiced by a Warrior Tribe in the highlands of
Tanna. The tribe still lives the way they have for hundreds of years. The warriors will
explain their practices and trickery which are still used today on rival villages. See the
art of ambush in action. The warriors will challenge guests with their traditional
weapons (bows & arrows, spears etc). See the Kava plant before it is prepared and
then taste the “real thing”. See the coffee plant and see the process of harvesting it.
All of your senses will be aroused and your adrenalin will pump on this special,
spiritual tour. Guests will be surprised and amazed at the Kastom beliefs and
practices.
Cost: Adults 6,500 vatu (approx $70 AUD) Children 3,250 vatu (approx $35 AUD)
WEBLINKS
For more information about Vanuatu go to www.vanuatu.travel
For more information about flights to Vanuatu and Tanna go to
www.airvanuatu.com