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Alo Lodge is at the heart of one of the regions where culture has
been most preserved. Custom villages and historical sites are
numerous and accessible by foot. There are extensive possibilities
for bushwalking and fishing. The South West corner of Malakula has
seen a strong revival of traditional custom. Many chiefs have
returned to their traditional grounds from where they had been
removed at the time of the missions. They are rebuilding Nakamals and
rediscovering the old stones and sacred sites.
Accomodation:
Solid guest house formed of 4 rooms : 3 doubles
and 1 room with 4 bunk beds. A large veranda is around the
guesthouse for your meals.
2 toilets & 2 showers (shared) have hot and cold
water.
Restaurant:
Very simple and serves a fixed menu of simple cuisine of local
products.The kitchen is a lovely outbuilding in open air. Take drinks
with you.
Package 3 days/2 nights ex Port Vila from 360 AU$
Include return airfares Port Vila-South West Bay, accommodation in
double room with breakfast and dinner, Venamboas or Looraba'ap custom
village half-day tour, Mun and Lohtou day tour (ancient dancing
grounds) and village fee.
Tours & Activities
All tours are conducted by a local guide speaking
Bislama and limited English. Good walking boots (no runners)
recommended.
- Sunset at Mindua Nakamal: Your guide will take you
to the village Nakamal, where village elders and chiefs
congregate and stories are told (a special area is reserved
for the women). This place is where the village decisions
are taken, while drinking freshly ground kava.
- Mun and Lohtou day tour: The tour will take you by boat and
by foot (easy walk)to ancient villages using abandoned coral roads.
Your guide will show you historical sites, chiefs' graves, ceremonial
cairns, etc. Your visit will take you to the very impressive dance
ground of Mun, surrounded by polished sacrificial stones similar to
antique columns. Some areas are not accessible to women.
- Venamboas half day tour: Custom village in the hills above
South-West Bay. The villagers have kept their custom and live as they
did centuries ago. You will visit the Nakamal and houses. The access
track gives some spectacular views over the bush, the bay and the
neighbouring lagoon (2 1/2 hr of moderate walking, requires good
walking boots).
- Looraba'ap half day tour: Custom village accessible by foot
(easy walk) which has been revived by a field worker of the Cultural
Centre. You will learn here the traditional melanesian ways, how
grades are obtained and ceremonies organised. The dancing ground
boasts ancient sacrificial pig killing stones.
- Gardens and Lagoon: This walk will take you through the
village gardens, where yams, manioc and fruits are cultivated, to the
lagoon where ships used to seek shelter. Today, the lagoon is only
accessible to small boats (easy walk).
- Lembinwen Lagoon: This boat tour starts from South-West Bay
beach, and the dinghy will take you inside the lagoon to admire the
mangroves, the surrounding forest and the small islands (2 hrs by
boat).
- Half day fishing: Leaving the beach, you will go fishing
around the little rocky island that was used as a target by the US
forces during the second world war. Fishing on the bottom or trolling
is available and any catch will be barbecued upon your return.
Bonitos, dolphin fish, poulet or wahoo are plentiful to the artful
fisherman (4 hrs). Maximum 4 passengers.
- Cascades full day tour: Bush walk amongst spectacular
wilderness, through the rainforest with trees several centuries old,
your tour will include a picnic at the refreshing cascades (moderate
walk).
Contact Us:
Alo Lodge
P.O. Box 132,
South West Bay, Malekula
Tel/Fax: (678) 486 59
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