Cultural experience in Vauatu and Land diving

Dear Fellow travellers,
I´m thinking of going to Vanuatu by the end of April. Basically to wittness the land diving ceremony in Pentecost.
The fact is that I am very interested in Anthropology and would like to focus my trip on a more cultural aspect, with the aim of mingling with the locals, specially were tribes, ceremonies etc are held, and observe all their kastoms and interact, learning from them.
I would appreciate if you could give me some tips of islands or places where i can find all this (even homestays) in Vanuatu, as the trip is so expensive that i wanna make the most out of it, and achieve a great cultural experience (if possible non turisty).
Also How much time would you reccomend to spend in Vanuatu?

Thanks in adavance for the help!

solo backpacker in png

hi!

my name is arad and i am planning to arrive to png this july.

i have a few questions...

1. as a solo backpacker should i be worried?i will propably will start my trip in madang and i heard that she is not safe as she used to be...

2.after madang i wanna go to the sepik or new ireland and new britian?in those places what are the prices for a night and a so called guesthouse?and in the sepik is that ok getting there and finding a guide?because the prices are crazy if i book before....

3.if i wanna fly from wewak to hagen, should i book it before or getting there and book it a few days before is ok?i wanna get to hagen for the show....

4. the weather is good in mline bay in july and august?

5.in genarlly how much will a month in png will cost me as a backpacker?including domestic flights....

Marquesas

Hello - I am planning to use a Marquesas Pass for a week (7 nights). 2 nights Nuku Hiva, 3 nights Hiva Oa and 1 night each Ua Huka and Ua Pou. Note that most of the inter-island flights operate between 10 AM and 1 PM so that may only give me "2 half days" on Ua Pou and Ua Huka. Example flying into Ua Huka 1PM and leaving the next morning at 10AM.

Is there much to see in Ua Huka or should I spend the extra day in Nuku Hiva or Ua Pou? I'm looking more for scenery than experience.

Thanks

Real Tonga Airline

Hi folks on the ground in Tonga. I would really appreciate up-to-date info on whether 'Real Tonga' is operating one plane or two as they promised by 1 April. I'm wanting to book flights for June to join a yacht in Vava'u, but I just don't trust the airline. The internet has nothing recent, which makes me suspicious. I know Real Tonga's website lists daily flights, but are they flying?

Where to stay?

Hi , we are looking at traveling to Vanuatu in July . Would like to stay at a resort or island that has great snorkeling and also caters for Game Fishing. Any suggestions ???

Better Fakarava or Mataiva in the Tuamotus?

I will be going to French Polynesia in August, but I will only have time to visit one of the Tuamotu islands, for 3-4 days. I am considering whether to choose Fakarava or Mataiva.
I gather that Fakarava is a sort of paradise, but its attractions all lie very far (several hours by boat) and can only be reached through an organized excursion.
Maitava attracts me because it is small enough to walk or cycle, and one could go around it without necessarily joining an excursion. But I also heard that its lagoon is shallow and murky,and that snorkeling is poor.
Could anyone help me to choose between the two islands? Please consider I do not scuba dive: I plan on snorkeling, enjoying beach life and tropical panoramas.
Thanks

Please come see us, but don't eat us.

Hi to all citizens and friends of Vanuatu and those who are yet to discover this special friendly, peaceful corner of the world.

A number of us are deeply concerned about the plight of our iconic hermit crab aptly named “The Coconut Crab”. Basically they are being eaten into extinction and we are trying to bring this issue to the forefront before it is too late. There is a mountain of information on this amazing creature (the largest land crab in the world) on the web, so will not tire you with data but if you are coming to Vanuatu or live here we would like to invite you our Forum where this is being discussed:
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g294144-i4912-k6255616-o20-Tripadvisor_Restaurant_Reviews-Port_Vila_Efate.html”

or here:

https://www.facebook.com/vanuatuislands

Please help by adding your support in these links and maybe we can bring some change. Many ... more »