Vanuatu Immigration and Vanuatu Life: The happiness of the local people in Vanuatu does not stem from having more, but from the poetic beauty of white sand islands, clear waters, waterfalls, excellent diving spots, the world's most accessible active volcano, and an abundance of food. The people there share almost everything, and importantly, there is no culture of comparison or following trends. I believe this concept is beneficial for my family, so my husband Greg, daughter Indig, and Sophia spent 10 days here last July.
After spending a few hours with the villagers of Yak Village, we said "tata" (goodbye) to the tribal residents. The driver took us to Yasur Volcano, one of the most spectacular active volcanoes in the world. If you have ever dreamed of seeing a volcano up close, you can fulfill that dream here.
We arrived before sunset, watching gray clouds rise from the crater like mushrooms after rain, towering several stories high. We climbed up the side of the volcano and got close to the edge. I was surprised that there were no railings, no warning signs, no ropes, and no officials preventing visitors from approaching the edge of the crater. I suppose part of happiness lies in controlling one's own destiny.
As night fell, we could see the ash-like gray plume of smoke transform into crimson, scarlet, and purple, casting fiery rocks into the night sky. We were stunned. We originally planned to stay for two hours, but in reality, we stayed for five hours. We tried to capture those thrilling sights on film, but found it utterly futile.
The accommodation on Tanna Island is relatively basic. The White Grass Ocean Resort is quite nice; the rooms are simple and small, but comfortable and enjoyable to stay in. The purpose of going to Tanna Island is not to stay in luxury accommodations. Our three days of activities there were already exhilarating enough.
In 2004, a French businessman liquidated his assets, bought a yacht, and sailed around the world with his wife and two young children in search of their dream island. They spent over a year searching and eventually lingered in the beautiful waters north of Espiritu Santo Island. There, they discovered Le Duy Island, which has a 146-acre coconut plantation, surrounded by green waters and white sands, with tropical fish swimming in the water and lush vegetation growing.
Indig and I decided to explore the Millennium Cave on Espiritu Santo Island. The Millennium Cave has witnessed Vanuatu's long-standing isolation; it was discovered by explorers only in 2000. We left Greg and Sophia behind because the trip was not suitable for children under 10. I rarely pay attention to warnings that claim "difficult" as I often find them exaggerated, but the term "difficult" is truly fitting in Vanuatu—"Oh God, what have I done?" After an hour of bumpy driving, we hiked for 45 minutes through a damp bamboo forest, then paused in the village's longhouse to listen to the local guide's explanations before we truly set off.
We trekked for an hour through a tangle of jungle, then descended steep slopes using ladders made of palm fronds, finally entering the cave. The cave is about two miles wide, and it is pitch black inside. I trembled as I walked, any pride I had in my physical strength vanished. My 13-year-old Indig was lively, grinning widely, claiming she wasn't tired at all.
After sitting down to eat a sandwich, someone gave us a children's inflatable swimming ring and told us to go down to the river. The only way out of the cave was to swim into a gorge, then emerge, navigate around rocks, swim under a waterfall, then climb up a cliff and walk back through the jungle. I had never felt so exhausted, but it was a true adventure, and if given the chance again, I would agree immediately.
Back on Le Duy Island, visitors were invited to a platform suspended over the lagoon. Below us, a group of women in grass skirts waded in water up to their waists. They began to sing and rhythmically beat the sea with their hands, performing a water music ritual. This is an ancient ceremony performed solely by women. Such performances seem to prove that humanity can always find a way to create music.
Vanuatu has become one of my favorite places. Most places in the world have been deeply explored and developed by humans, while this place, with its abundant natural beauty and friendly residents, remains a pristine virgin land.