"Hideaway Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary is everything you would expect on a South Pacific Holiday. This picture perfect tropical island with sand and coral beaches surrounded by turquoise blue water is only a short 15 minute bus and ferry trip from the airport and Port Vila, the quaint capital of Vanuatu.

The ocean front Bungalows have magnificent sea views and features coral walls, coconut beams and an impressive clam shell wash basin, all combined in pleasing tropical decor.

The Melanesian style restaurant on the beach features fresh local cuisine prepared by the resorts international chef.

Hideaway watersports offers exciting activities such as water skiing, ‘banana’ rides, windsurfing, diving, snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides and sea kyaking in pristine Mele Bay. Hideaway Dive is a registered PADI Resort Association Member, and 17 dive sites are within 10 minutes, reefs are accesible from the beach (great for night diving!) and golf is available just across the bay.

The islands extensive reefs are teeming with a colourful variety of sponges, hard corals, sea anemones, gorgonian fans and tropical fish, including ‘Jack’ the resident trigger fish. Experience walls of coral that drop off 70 metres and open tunnels through the reef.

The reef has been protected as a marine sanctuary for 12 years by mutual agreement with the local village and is managed by the resort. The fish are friendly because they know they are not being hunted. Hideaway Island’s Marine Sanctuary is one of the few places on earth where you can hand feed hundreds of ‘tame’ brilliantly coloured fish in a safe protected area right from the beach.

The 'Hideaway Wall' dive site is only a few minutes away by boat and consists of a drop off to 70 metres. The colourful wall features wonderful bright & wholely intact plate corals and numerous nooks and crannies. This provides a great day & night dive."

I'm looking forward to a very pleasant, relaxing stay, and once home shall load my own images and write about my personal experiences.

Depart 4pm Sunday 14th. February, Qantas/Air Vanuatu QF330 for Tullamarine.

How far is it ? - 1982 kms - 3 hrs. 55 mins.