After all the preparation and excitement the day has finally arrived. We will meet at Sydney International Airport 3 hours before our scheduled departure to Vanuatu, with Air Vanuatu. Upon arrival in Port Vila we will be met at the airport by the local staff and transferred to your accommodation. Your guide will conduct a briefing and let you know about what the next 10 days have in store for you. Overnight: Coconut Palms Resort or similar Intended Flights: NF11 SYDVLI 18:15 21:45

Meals:  D

This morning we will experience something familiar in a brand new way with a visit to a local Anglican Church for Sunday Mass. There will be plenty in this service that you will find familiar though there is also a local flavor to these services as a result of the differing cultural influences. Such experiences can give to great appreciation for the differing interpretations of the same faith. After lunch we will enjoy the first of many outdoor activities planned for our time in Vanuatu with a kayaking trip on the Rentapao River. Accommodation: Coconut Palms Resort or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have a day of cultural learning planned with visits to various local museums that will give group members the chance to develop some understanding of Vanuatu's history and culture and the influence christian missions and colonisation have had on the nations development. After lunch we finish the day on a fun note with a visit to a local chocolate factory to learn about cacao cultivation and chocolate production in Vanuatu. The centre is run by the ACTIV Foundation whose mission is to empower marginalized and excluded Ni-Vanuatu communities socially, economically, and environmentally through the concept of Fair Trade. Accommodation: Coconut Palms Resort or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we have opportunity to further develop our understanding of Vanuatu by interacting with students of a similar age at the Eretap French Primary School. Here we will engage in some service activities such as painting and maintenance activities (TBC) to leave a positive mark on the community other than our happy memories. Throughout these activities we will develop our understanding of one another better and get great insight into each others ways of life before sharing a meal with the students at the school. In the afternoon be will take a bush walk around Eretap Village with students from the school to learn about how they interact with their environment with some peer to peer exchange. Accommodation: Coconut Palms Resort or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we have a full day excursion to Nguna Marine Conservation Area, starting with a transfer to Nguna Island for a bush walk in the Mere Sauwia Community Conservation area to explore a community conservation area at Nguna’s smallest village – a fascinating mixture of old forest, historic relics and community gardens. Here we will also be involved in leaving a positive impact with some tree planting activites planned to help the ongoing conservation works being undertaken by the community. After the morning walk, enjoy a buffet lunch by the beach and then snorkel Nguna’s famous marine conservation area. Expect lots of fish, maybe the occasional turtle, and plenty of hard corals and small canyons and crevasses to explore. Accommodation: Coconut Palms Resort or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we transfer to the Blue Bay where we will kayak, swim and snorkel its warm blue waters. We will also take part in a program that is monitoring the effect of the "Crown of Thorns" starfish on the reef and taking measures to halt their spread. Following lunch on the shores of Blue Bay we will transfer back to Port Vila to prepare for the adventures next phase. Overnight: Coconut Palms Resort or similar

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we leave Port Vila and head to the island of Santo, a 1 hour flight to the north. Most of the people are Christians. The largest church groups on the island are the Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Church of Melanesia (Anglican). Also active are the Apostolic Church, the Church of Christ, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and others. However, in many villages, particularly in Big Bay and South Santo,many have not embraced Christianity. For almost all of Espiritu Santo's people, custom plays a large part in their lives, regardless of their religion. The chief system continues strongly in most areas. We will spend the afternoon at the Saint Michel School, a french school, where we will learn some introductory French and join local students in their activities. Overnight: Beach Front Resort

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning will visit one of the islands best known beaches, Champagne Beach before heading the Port Orly, on the north eastern tip of the island, for a french influenced lunch. The local economy is heavily dependent on fishing, a traditional male role, while many females find work gardening. Port Olry produces octopus, beef, copra, and cocoa. Refuelled we head to a highlight of any visit to Santo, Blue Hole on the Riri River. Here freshwater flows underground from the huge mountains in the center of the island protruding up onto the surface forming these crystal blue hidden jewels. Overnight: Beach Front Resort

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we have the opportunity to again attend a local church service before our early afternoon transfer to the airport for our flight back to Port Vila. On arrival in Port Vila we will be transferred to our accommodation and given the opportunity to freshen up for our farewell dinner, a Melanesian buffet. Overnight: Warwick Le Lagon Resort

Meals:  B,L,D

Early this morning we depart Port Vila and return to Sydney. Intended Flight: NF10 VLISYD 07:00 10:55

Meals:  B