XtremeBigAir.com - Vanuatu 2010 Xpedition

Vanuatu: July 18 - August 03, 2010

Lucky riders on this trip:

Kinsley ThomasWong, Paul Lang, Gerard Bourgeois, Marc Antoine Martin, Julien Sudrat, Paul Thai, Victor Korikalo, Thierry Bourgeois, Thomas David, and Tom Foote

We can't wait!!!... Check back here for daily videos and pictures update of our trip!

Vanuatu 2010 Xpedition:

Big Thanks to Gerard and Thierry Bourgeois of GenetrixKiteSurf.com for having us on this special trip to their home island Vanuatu!

 Flight info
Sun, Jul 18, 2010San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP) Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
Flight 	Depart 	Arrive 	Cabin 	Seats
United 6397
Operated by: United Express/skywest Airlines 	SBP 05:14 PM
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 	LAX 06:12 PM
Sun, Jul 18, 2010 	Economy (XY) 	05A
Equipment: Embraer 120  | Duration:58m  | Non-stop | Fare code: XYNQNM
Traveled miles:159 |   No Meal Service

Tue, Aug 03, 2010Los Angeles, CA (LAX) San Luis Obispo, CA (SBP)
Flight 	Depart 	Arrive 	Cabin 	Seats
United 6409
Operated by: United Express/skywest Airlines 	LAX 07:06 PM
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 	SBP 08:04 PM
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 	Economy (XY) 	04A
Equipment: Embraer 120  | Duration:58m  | Non-stop | Fare code: XYNQNM
Traveled miles:159 |   No Meal Service

THOMASWONG/KINSLEY 18JUL LAX


This document is automatically generated.
Please do not respond to this mail.
   
                                           DATE 01JUNE10
                                           AGENT WA/WA BOOKING REF YG6K35
 
                                           THOMASWONG/KINSLEY
 
SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE
 
 
AIR PACIFIC           18JUL LOS ANGELES CA NADI           1130P   510A
FJ 811               SUNDAY INTL           NADI INTL              20JUL
Q ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 747-400
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED

CLICK HERE FOR NADI CITY INFO, TRANSFERS  EVENTS 
 
AIR PACIFIC           20JUL NADI           PORT VILA      830A    910A
FJ 261              TUESDAY NADI INTL      BAUERFIELD
Q ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 737-800
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED

CLICK HERE FOR PORT VILA CITY INFO, TRANSFERS  EVENTS 
 
AIR PACIFIC           03AUG PORT VILA      NADI           405P    630P
FJ 260              TUESDAY BAUERFIELD     NADI INTL
K ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 737-800
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED

CLICK HERE FOR NADI CITY INFO, TRANSFERS  EVENTS 
 
AIR PACIFIC           03AUG NADI           LOS ANGELES CA 1020P   140P
FJ 810              TUESDAY NADI INTL      INTL
K ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 747-400
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED

CLICK HERE FOR LOS ANGELES CITY INFO, TRANSFERS  EVENTS 
 
RESERVATION NUMBER(S)  FJ/YG6K35

Vanuatu Kiteboarding essential information:

Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced. There are plenty of beaches and it is uncrowded
Surface Conditions:
Wind Conditions: Wind forecast for for Mele Bay
Season: Port Vila Vanuatu has a few good spots. Best time to go there is in the winter months of the Southern hemisphere. Water temperatures in July -August are approximately around 24 deg and goes up to 30 deg in the summer months. Air temperature in July - August is 26 to 28 deg and can go up to 36 deg in summer. Trade winds from the Southeast in July – August are around 12 to 20 knts. The north of Efate is the best location and Kakula is the best spot. Go upwind to the back of the island and you will enjoy a mix of flat water on one end and waves at the other end of the island. As Kakula is a private island, you will need to get permission to go there. Kakula is surrounded by marine reserves and the locals want to make sure that tourists respect that fact. Efate only has about 5 spots to kite on the whole island. Jellyfish are no problem. Wind is generally very light, even in August. The north of Efate around Takara is pretty windy, there is funnelling between the mainland and outer islands. The problem with Takara is that the inside of the reef sucks dry at low tide.

The different places to Kite around Efate Island

All Levels :

Mele Beach : Located 15 minutes from Port Vila. Long Sandy beach, Sandy bottom for most of it.,flat water and no swimmer. Good at all tides.

Kakula Island : Island located in the north of Efate. Boat access. Sandy beach, Sandy bottom, flat water and no swimmer. (book for access) Good at all tides.

Intermediate :

Takara Village : Located north east of Efate. Sandy beach, Coral bottom, high tide only . Bump and Jump.

Expert:

Located 10 min from town. Small sandy beach. Coral bottom, High tide only, wave riding.

Vanuatu (Vanuatu means 'Land Eternal') is a "Y"-shaped chain of 83 islands 800km west of Nadi (Fiji). The islands range from towering volcanic cones to others covered in dense rainforest to others which are raised coral islands with wide beaches and deep natural harbours. The Ni-Vanuatu people are a peaceful, loving, gentle race, who enjoy life's simpler pleasures in a country of unique and diverse customs and culture. There are experiences for the traveller not found anywhere else in the world like the Pentecost Land Dive (the first bungy jump) and the Toka Ceremony on the island of Tanna. The people of Vanuatu are predominantly Melanesian. The Ni Vanuatu have populated the islands for centuries and with more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving, Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. There are small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Islands people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu. Until 1980 Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, was jointly administered by France and Great Britain as a 'Condominium'. There are many reminders of the days when a gendarme would patrol one side of the main street and a London 'Bobby' the other.

Airport

The international port of entry is Bauerfield, only 10 mins from Port Vila. There is a currency exchange facility as well as bars/restaurants and duty free shops.

Population

The total population is approximately 200,000.

Banking

Trading banks are ANZ, Bank of Hawaii Vanuatu, Westpac and the National Bank of Vanuatu. Banking hours are 8:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. The National Bank of Vanuatu's airport office is open for all flight arrivals.

Currency

Foreign currency is readily transacted and the local currency unit is the Vatu. Travellers cheques or cash are easily converted into the local currency during your visit and can be exchanged when leaving at the airport. The banks will accept most major credit and debit cards and Goodies usually has the best rate for cash and travellers cheques in town.

Business Hours

Offices are generally open from 7:30am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Shops from 8:00am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday and 8:00 to Noon on Saturday. Banks from 8:00 to 3:00pm Monday to Friday and the Post Office from 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Transport

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, the same as the USA and Europe. Cars, 4WDs and jeeps are available for hire. Taxis are plentiful and are all metered although some may agree to a fixed rate. It is quite common for a driver to offer passengers a comparable rate to the bus. Mini buses offer a frequent though not timetabled service. Look for the letter 'B' next to the front licence plate and simply flag one down and tell the driver where you want to go.

Airport Tax

Departure tax at the International Airport is VUV 2,500 per person (except children under 12 years old), and VUV 400 for domestic Vanair Service tax. Both these passenger service charges are included in airfares.

Languages

Bislama, English and French. There are 115 'mother tongues' in common use.

Telecommunications

World wide satellite communications, 24 hours telephone, fax, email and web access. Phone, telex, fax at the post office and resorts and there's an Internet café in the main street.

Geography

In the heart of Melanesia, with Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands to the north, Fiji to the east and New Caledonia to the southeast.

Climate

Summer is from November to March, the average temperature is 28°C and it can be hot, wet and humid. Winter is from April to October with the temperature averaging 23°C. Sea temperature varies from 22 to 28 degrees making swimming enjoyable all year round.

Entertainment

All major hotels have regular entertainment and there are several night clubs open till late. There is gambling at Palms Casino (Le Meridien Resort), Club 21 (Melanesian Resort) and at Club Vanuatu. In the evenings men drink kava at local kava bars or Nakamals. Regular Melanesian cultural shows are available. Club Vanuatu and The Office Pub have cable sports channels on screen.

Kava

The kava in Vanuatu is reputedly stronger than its Fijian equivalent, and it is drunk without the Fijian 'clapping' ceremony. The cup should still be drunk in one motion however. Kava tours cost around VT400.

Shopping

Foreign cash, travellers cheques and major international credit cards (Amex, Diners, JCB, Mastercard and Visa) are widely accepted. Most shops close for 'siesta' 11:30am to 1:30pm. Restaurants, cafes, banks, supermarkets and the Post Office do not observe siesta. Shops open on Saturday morning and some specialty shops and supermarkets open on Sunday morning. Suburban general stores open early and close late seven days a week. The colourful market in the town centre operates every day except Sundays for flowers, fruit, vegetables and handicrafts.

Water

The urban water supply is safe to drink and bottled water is also readily available.

Medical

There are no dangerous animals or insects in Vanuatu and no vaccinations are required although anti-malarial precautions are recommended for visits to outer islands.

Dress

Light and casual, but not too brief in public places. Tropical clothes for evening wear - no ties.

Electricity

220-230 volts AC, mainly three-point plugs in hotels.

Eating Out

Dining is a highlight in Vanuatu. Fresh local fish, beef, fruit and vegetables are in plentiful supply. Top class restaurants offer Melanesian, French, Polynesian, Indian, Chinese, Thai-Vietnamese, English and Japanese specialties.

Tipping

There is no tipping or bargaining, it goes against local tradition. A smile and a 'thank you' is tip enough. Mind you, the prices at the souvenir markets do rise on days when cruise ships are in dock, so it's best to put off the shopping for a day if you know one is in town.

Passports & Visas

Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return to your country of origin. Most visitors who intend to stay for less than 30 days do not require a visa. It is a Travellers responsibility to have all documentation in order prior to departure.

Summary:

Monday July 20, 2010

We arrived...