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RATUA PRIVATE ISLAND is a haven of serenity in the remote Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu. The secluded resort is nestled between the islands of Aore and Malo, and is about a 30-minute boat ride from the mainland Vanuatu.
The 146-acre island only houses 14 villas, making sure each guest has ample space and privacy for a true sense of escape. Despite the romantic backdrop Ratua is not just a place of solitude for honeymooners, but also for families. Because of the small number of villas spread across island, couples will not feel overwhelmed even when the hotel is fully booked with many families.
Each villa has been renovated from four to five antique Indonesian houses from Java and Sumatra. They were built with the measured intention of safeguarding the land’s ancestral architecture. Guests can opt for the Deluxe Villa, the Family 2-Bedrom Villa, the Grand Villa or the Safari Tent.
In line with the resort’s stripped-back philosophy, each room focuses on the beauty of nature. Instead of watching TV or lounging in a jacuzzi, you’re encouraged to appreciate the calming view of the bay outside your room, or take in the well-tended tropical garden surrounding the villas. To encourage guests to shut off from the frivolities of modern life, WiFi is only available in the resort’s common area.
For a once-in-a-lifetime glamping experience, we suggest you try the Safari Tent. Located in the south-eastern part of the island, the tent is situated edge of the jungle, overlooking a private white sand beach. Draped in canvas and brown tones, a night in this tent will remind you of the Golden Age of Exploration.
Ratua’s model of ecological tourism is apparent in how it minimises its carbon footprint. Each villa takes advantage of the natural sea breeze and is cooled by large fans in place of air-conditioners. Meanwhile, a vegetation program has been implemented which saw the planting of 1,000 fruit trees.
But perhaps the most impressive step being taken by the resort to achieve a self-sustaining state is to work with local villagers to set up local farms for chicken, cows, pigs, goats and sheep. These farms not only provide food for the resort’s kitchen, but also help to create job opportunities for local farmers.
Because produce here is seasonal, the chefs in the kitchen work with what’s available, complemented by the organic fruits and vegetables from their own garden. All seafood is brought in by local fishermen who drop by the island each morning with their catch.
At a resort as serene as Ratua, you may be more than happy lying on the sand with a good book. But if you want to explore the island and its surroundings, canoeing is a must. Horseback riding on the beach is also a popular activity in these parts. Horses roam free on the ranch and you can choose to let a wrangler saddle one up in the clear waters for a spin around the island. Swimming with horses is an activity you’ll never be able to partake in anywhere else, so you’ll be sure to relish it.
Snorkelling and diving too will prove worthwhile, especially if you discover one of the island’s several blue-water swimming holes connected by underground caverns.
Furthermore, by staying at Ratua you will also be contributing to the welfare of the local islanders. The Ratua Foundation seeks to improve the education conditions of the children in Vanuatu. Through the foundation, Packs for a Purpose is an initiative that encourages guests to save a few kilos in their luggage to bring in supplies for area schools and medical clinics in need.
The easiest way to get to Ratua is via Brisbane to Espiritu Santo (normally on a Tuesday) and Espiritu Santo – Brisbane (normally on a Monday) non-stop service catered by Air Vanuatu. Otherwise, a stop at Port Villa to and from Sydney or Brisbane is an option.
Once you’ve vacationed in an island as tranquil and transfixing as Ratua, you’ll never want to go back to a commercial, tourist-trapped island again.
Source: travelwireasia.com