We landed on Efate Island in August 2010, the 14th. Just four days after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake which epicentre was only 35km from Port-Vila. We didn’t know about it, the earthquake was very impressive to local people because of its proximity but nothing seemed to be destroyed.

Nothing? … hum well … unfortunately the WHS of Chief Roi Mata has suffered a landslip just at the entrance of the Fels Cave in Lelepa Island (just north-west of Efate). Of course it was prohibited for us to get into the cave during our tour. The guide told us that a Unesco representative would come and see what can be done. I don’t know what is the situation one year later …

Nevertheless, we had a very pleasant guided tour. Let me explain what you can expect:

-Introduction to the Chief Roi Mata story at the museum in Port-Vila.

-Visit of the domain where Roi Mata lived, a dance show is performed by local people.

-Entrance in the cave where he died (if you are luckier than us).

-Boat trip to Hat Island where he was buried with hundred of its followers.

-Lunch in a village with local people.

I won’t tell the story of Chief Roi Mata here cause you can find it easily on the net, but I can tell you that this WHS was very pleasant to visit as it is one of the very few cultural Unesco site in this part of the world. Everything looked well preserved, the guided tour was quite rustic with a very little boat but this is part of the Melanesian folklore.

To conclude visiting Chief Roi Mata’s domain is probably one of the best way within Efate Island to learn about Vanuatu history. As you will automatically land in Port-Vila if you go to Vanuatu, don’t miss the visit of this WHS which starts in the town.

You can easily find phone number in a guide book, or ask for information in the town center. Tour is probably not offered every day.

Julien.