Siloa Guesthouse, Nguna Island, Efate Visitor Ratings

Utanlang is the most distant accommodation on Nguna Island but that can make it the most relaxing. In the water, there's a rocky coral reef and drop off dive with lava tubes close to the beach. Dive boat charters sometimes visit to dive with the big fish. Out of the water, you might hike up Mount Taputoara, an extinct volcano and Nguna's highest peak (elevation 593m).

Costs and Booking
Siloa Guesthouse is an island bungalow on the beach in Utanlang Village. It is owned and run by Jimmy David of Utanlang. There is a community phone where you can make enquiries (23999). Jimmy speaks Bislama and some English. Accommodation costs 1500 Vatu per person, including meals, payable in Vatu cash. Exchange Rates.

Siloa Guesthouse had its first visitor in December 2003. Jimmy will upgrade facilities when he receives more support from visitors. He plans to finish the haos blong swim in 2004 and get mosquito nets and more bed linen. He even has dreams of building a second bungalow.

Accomodation and Food
There's one simple bungalow constructed of local materials. It has three single beds. The door is lockable if you bring a small padlock. There are no mosquito nets but mosquito coils are available. There's practically no electricity in Utanlang. A kerosene lamp and candle are provided.

The smol haos has a western style sit-down toilet flushed with a bucket of sea water. Fresh water is available for bathing (bucket showers) and Jimmy plans to construct a haos blong swim. The beach is good for swimming at high tide. You need to bring you own towel and a mosquito net.

Island style meals of above average standard are provided at Siloa. There are no self catering facilities except a fireplace outside. Breakfasts may include home-baked bread, gato, biscuits, and fruit. Lunches and dinners are nearly always fish with rice, kumala, manioc, taro, aelan kabis, fruit and tea. Rainwater is available for drinking (bring a water bottle).

Transport
The simplest option is to walk from Taloa, following the truck road along the eastern coast of Nguna (3 hours). It's an easy, scenic walk passing several villages. The locals use this route rather than through the bush along the western coast which is more direct but more difficult.

If you have a lot of gear or can't walk for other reasons then you can charter one of the two trucks on the island for 3000 Vatu (one way charter between Utanlang and Taloa). When the locals use these trucks to transport their produce to the beach landing at Taloa they pay 1000 Vatu per person (shared transport). Note the hill climbs are slippery after rain and the trucks have to wait for the tracks to dry.

Another way to Utanlang is to charter a speedboat. If you can find a captain to take you it should cost 4000 or 5000 Vatu, one way, from Siviri or Emua on north Efate. Alternatively, to charter a boat from Udapua (10 minutes walk west of Taloa on Nguna Island) should cost around 2000 Vatu, one way.

It's not easy to organise transport to Utanlang but the return booking should be less painful because you can follow someone who is going to Port Vila.

Services and Suggestions
There aren't any real stores in Utanlang, shopping is best done before arrival.

First surveyed: December 2003 by Stephen.
Last updated: June 2004 by Stephen.