Tam-Tam
Bungalows is on the mainland across from Vao island. It's
a nice, friendly place with beaches and reefs
along the coast and fine views across to Malo, Santo and
Ambae on a clear day. The owner/manager Jean-Michel
Maleb has three trucks and can arrange tours to caves, cascades
and other places in the area.
The
island of Vao looks attractive from the mainland. It has
seven well kept natsaros
complete with tam-tams
and monoliths and the villagers can perform kastom
dances for tourists. Vao is also one of the best places
in Vanuatu for wood-carvings.
Unfortunately, in 2004 tourist
visits to Vao from Tam-Tam Bungalows were closed owing to
a dispute between some people on the island and Jean-Michel.
Vao might one day form a functional tourism association
and come to an agreement with Tam-Tam Bungalows. If you know the current situation, contact us.
Meanwhile,
if you want to visit Vao you'll have to find your own way.
The Vao Primary School speedboat makes a regular daytime
passenger service to and from the island (100 Vatu per person
or 500 Vatu for a charter). A reliable contact for touring
Vao is Rory Jose of Venu village on Vao (near the Catholic
mission).
Costs
and Booking
Accommodation at Tam-Tam Bungalows costs 1500 Vatu per person,
per night. Meals are 500 Vatu each. If you want to save
a few Vatu, you can buy bread at Jean-Michel's store.
For
bookings, Jean-Michel's phone number is 48926. Jean-Michel speaks
French and some English. All expenses are payable
in Vatu cash. Exchange
Rates.
Accommodation
and Food
Tam-tam has three bungalows, built using local materials.
One has three single rooms, another has two double rooms
and the third has a double bed. Meals can be taken on the
terrace of your bungalow or in the restaurant. Mosquito
nets are provided and the doors are lockable (bring your
own small padlock). Electric lighting is powered by Jean-Michel's
generator for a few hours in the evenings.
There
are two shared toilet and shower blocks at Tam-Tam Bungalows
with western style toilets and showers. If the rainwater
tank is dry then bathing is bucket showers with well water.
Bath towels, soap and toilet paper are provided.
The
food at Tam-Tam Bungalows is a mix of aelan
kaekae and rice dishes with a western influence. Dinners
may include fish or beef, rice or lap-lap,
aelan kabis
and fruit. Breakfasts are bread with omelette and tea or
coffee (instant). Rain water is used for drinking.
Services,
Suggestions and Transport
Jean-Michel's well-stocked store is next to Tam-Tam Bungalows and he has cold Tusker for 300 Vatu
a bottle.
Northeast
Malekula is rather heavily populated and there's no shortage
of public transport passing Vao. Also note that it's easy to walk from Vao
to Sanwir and Rose
Bay Bungalows in less than two hours.
First
surveyed: December 2004 by Stephen.
Last updated: January 2005 by Stephen.
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(1 Votes) 
