| Valesdir
Plantation Guesthouse, Valesdir, Epi
Visitor
Ratings
Valesdir
plantation is a copra
and cattle business, is not locally owned and doesn't fit
our definition
of an island bungalow but it's the only cheap accommodation
near the Valesdir airstrip.
Valesdir
plantation produces about 2500 kg of dried copra a week
using local labour. The villagers earn about 200 to 300
Vatu for each sack (according to weight, around 70 kg) of
wet copra. Some find more steady employment doing general
farm chores such as mustering cattle and operating the copra
drier.
There
are a couple of attractions within walking distance of Valesdir:
- Imao Lakes is a two and a half hour bush walk from Valesdir
(about 7 km). Here you can see waterfowl and hunt wild pigs
- Another walk takes you to a waterfall northeast of Sara
village where you can swim and spear freshwater prawns (about
4 km, 1 hour walk).
- There's a cave near Valesdir station, currently closed
due to a land dispute.
Imao
Lakes are not visited by tourists. If you want to visit
then speak to Chief Isaiah at Port Dasso village (about
40 minutes walk from Valesdir if you follow the truck road).
The manager of Valesdir station, John Fred, is one of his
brothers. The lakes are about 4 km (about one and a half
hours) northeast of the village. You should agree on your
payments before setting out. Expect to pay someone to guide
you (about 1000 Vatu per day) and a small fee to the kastom
landowner. If it's too expensive there are bigger lakes
in east and south Epi.
The
waterfall comes under Chief Song Lewi of Sara village. He's
most often found working at the Epi Island Guesthouse which
is 1 km south of the airstrip. He'll take you there for
1000 Vatu (about 1hr walk).
Costs
and Booking
It costs 1500 Vatu per person, per night to stay at Valesdir
plantation, self-catering. John Fred, the manager, meets
most Vanair flights at the Valesdir airstrip. His wife Kitty
looks after the guests. They speak Bislama and English.
You can telephone Valesdir on 28216 (not working in September
2004). There's plenty of space so you shouldn't need to
book. All expenses are payable in Vatu cash. Exchange
Rates.
Accommodation
and Food
The old plantation cottage and guesthouse are quite run
down but not lacking in style. The cottage has two bedrooms
(one double bed in each), a sitting room with many novels
to read, kitchen, modern bathroom (shower and western flush
toilet) and veranda.
The
guesthouse is a large barn-like structure with two feet
thick walls and a Natangura palm thatch roof. It has two
modern toilets and two showers (only one of each working
in September 2004). There are a couple of twin bunk beds
and two single beds in the guesthouse with plenty of room
for more.
Valesdir
has a generator but it's rarely used. Kerosene lamps and
candles are used for lighting. Bath towels and toilet paper
are available. Bring your own soap and toiletries. Valesdir's
water supply comes from a nearby spring and is OK to drink.
There appear to be no mosquitoes but mosquito coils are
available (no nets). There are no locks on the doors but
security shouldn't be a concern.
You
can do your own cooking in the cottage's kitchen. It has
a gas stove and all the pots, pans, plates and cutlery you
should need. The store at Valesdir station sells basic foodstuffs.
Ask and local fruit and vegetables can be provided. The
refrigerator appeared to be out of order in September 2004.
Transport
Valesdir Station is about 1km north of the airstrip (15
minutes walk). The Valesdir station truck is for plantation
business but John Fred may be able to give you a lift.
See
our Epi page for more transport information.
First
surveyed: September 2004 by Stephen.
Last updated: September 2004 by Stephen.
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