{"id":9213,"date":"2012-06-01T09:18:45","date_gmt":"2012-05-31T23:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=9213"},"modified":"2018-05-15T06:56:12","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T20:56:12","slug":"vanuatu-photo-diary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/vanuatu-photo-diary\/","title":{"rendered":"Vanuatu photo diary"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Words can\u2019t adequately describe paradise. Check out lastminute lovely Kirsty\u2019s photo blog post of Ratua Private Island \u2013 Espiritu Santos, Vanuatu.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From the moment it came into view over the horizon, we knew we were in for a treat. Staying at Ratua was like living in a dream for six glorious days.
\nAside from a slight run in with a small (and very protective) fish with a case of the bitey-bites (nothing serious) in our first hour, our stay at Ratua was something we’ll always cherish.
\nThe resort is located on a private, 146 acre island and is home to delightful, 200-year-old Javanese huts that were dismantled, shipped and rebuilt on an island paradise, 30 minutes by boat from Espiritu Santos, Vanuatu. It\u2019s an eco friendly resort that is moving towards being entirely self-sustained, with its own generators, gardens, livestock and an abundant supply of fish.<\/p>\n

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The resort vege garden<\/p><\/div>\n

No matter how many pictures I took I don\u2019t think I was able to capture the beauty of the place, you really have to visit to see what I mean but here is my attempt.
\nAs your boat docks at the jetty and the welcome Tum Tum is sounding, you can tell this is a special place.<\/p>\n

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Hello paradise!<\/p><\/div>\n

We stayed in the Crocodile hut with one bedroom and a separate room bathroom that backed right onto the beach. We felt secluded even though we were part of the resort.<\/p>\n

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Home sweet home<\/p><\/div>\n

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The view<\/p><\/div>\n

Digesting all the food we ate was hard work, so you really need to relax as much as you can in your private courtyard.<\/p>\n

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Our daily ritual<\/p><\/div>\n

Even the activity shed is charming and there is so much you CAN do if you are motivated, including kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, scuba diving and even spear fishing (if you\u2019re that way inclined).<\/p>\n

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Activity shed<\/p><\/div>\n

As well as a selection of pastries (that Mr LML could not resist) breakfast includes eggs-how-you-like-it served from this adorable cart.<\/p>\n

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Breakfast egg cart<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the free activities is cycling around the Island. It only takes about an hour, and is really interesting to check out the Nakamal, horses, vege gardens, where the local staff live and the owner\u2019s personal airstrip (yes, you read that correctly).
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Nakamal<\/p><\/div>\n

Resident pet goat Julie is well trained.<\/p>\n

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Resident goat<\/p><\/div>\n

Sea life is never far away, be it the anchovy school lingering near the dock, or the Trevally that chase them into the shore for a lunchtime show (two metres from our table one lunchtime there was quite a show of fish jumping out of the water).<\/p>\n

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The view from reception<\/p><\/div>\n

If you can drag yourself away from the resort, a morning kayaking out to the blue hole is well worth the effort. And it\u2019s only half a day so not too much exertion.
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The snorkeling out from the resort is incredible and was our daily exercise. We saw huge corals, octopus, trevally, all sorts of reef fish and even a lobster. This is Mr LML trying to get a glimpse of the local dugong who was out front.<\/p>\n

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Swim time<\/p><\/div>\n

OMG \u2013 Just sitting in this spa is incredible as you look out to the ocean but getting a massage here is absolutely a delight.<\/p>\n

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Going to the spa<\/p><\/div>\n

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In the spa<\/p><\/div>\n

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Another visit to the amazing day spa<\/p><\/div>\n

If you’re determined to catch a fish the team at Ratua are more than happy to take you out on the dingy for some trawling. And it\u2019s much cheaper than booking a deep Sea fishing charter on the mainland.<\/p>\n

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Mr LML fishing<\/p><\/div>\n

Mr LML finally snagged a Blue Trevally, which the chef later cooked up as part of the lunch. Each day lunch is cooked over the wood fire and is fresh and amazing.
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The happiest cows in the world. No wonder Vanuatu beef was some of the most tasty and tender I have ever eaten. It\u2019s all organic and local and really delicious.<\/p>\n

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Happy cows<\/p><\/div>\n

On our last day we checked out the fishing village – a collection of houses grouped together with a communal lounge area and bar, literally over the water. Okay I admit it, we spent hours planning a huge party here. I\u2019m still hopeful we can pull it off.<\/p>\n

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Exploring the property<\/p><\/div>\n

Leaving was not really on my list of to dos at the end of the week!<\/p>\n

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Tearing ourselves away<\/p><\/div>\n

The goodbye song is a cute touch to your stay… but heart breaking as it means you are leaving your island paradise.<\/p>\n

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Goodbye committee<\/p><\/div>\n

By the end of our stay at Ratua I think our heartbeats had even slowed down. I highly recommend opting for the full board option, turning off your mobiles and stranding yourself on this magnificent island for as long as you can stand relaxation.
\nI will be back!
\nRead about our first week in Vanuatu on the Espiritu Santos Mainland<\/a>
\nWe loved these fish cakes so much we hunted down the chef for the recipe on our last day so I thought I would share with you. We have made it at home and even though it wasn\u2019t served on a table on the beach they were still delicious.
\nFishcake recipe:<\/strong>
\n1\/2 cup prawns
\n1 cup white fish
\nSalt and Pepper
\n2 tablespoons of chicken stock
\n3 pieces of red capsicum
\n2 small onions.
\nCombine ingredients using a food processor until well mixed and make into balls then fry. Delicious.<\/p>\n

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