Facilities:The Deco Stop Lodge has a fully stocked bar, restaurant, pool, entertainment room with pool table, SAT TV, table tennis, darts and a gym. Push bikes are also for hire for those that needed to zip into town in between dives. Click here for more photos.There are also computers available for people to download digital camera images and burn to CD. Internet connection is also available.
Laundry service is available for all guests.Scuba gear wash and storage facility with separate camera wash tub is provided for diving guests. This is secured when not in use.A range of exclusive souvenirs are available at the office and also on sale at our regular custom dancing and string band nights.We offer airport transfers, if required, and, of course, there is a daily maid service in all rooms.
 |
|
|
Tours and High Lihgts: This fabulous tour starts at Fanafo custom village, the home and final resting place of Jimmy Stevens, Santo’s one time rebel leader. In 1991, Vanuatu’s first Prime Minister, Father Walter Lini, had Stevens’ released. He returned to his family home in Fanafo and lived a somewhat quiet life until his death in 1994. “You will get to see how and where the rebels met, and meet the direct descendents of Jimmy Stevens.” Heading further north of Fanafo, you will visit beautiful Golden Beach, a truly stunning South Pacific beach with its fine white sand and crystal clear waters
Prior to Independence, Vanuatu was ruled by France and Britain in a condominium government. Many on Espiritu Santo resented the foreign rule and by the late 70s, a rebellious movement lead by Jimmy Stevens was formed. The rebels sought to have Santo excluded from the condominium and be allowed self-rule. Fanafo was the rebel’s base and Jimmy Stevens lived there until his capture by the French and British authorities. After spending 11 years in jail, Jimmy Stevens’ health deteriorated. Heading further North of Fanafo, you will visit beautiful Golden Beach, a truly stunning South Pacific beach with its fine white sand and crystal clear waters - a perfect spot for lunch and a swim. On the drive back to town you will stop off at the famous Blue Hole for a refreshing swim. You’ll be amazed at the colour and clarity of this freshwater swimming.* Tip.. Bring your snorkel and mask for a closer look.
World War II History Tour : Santo was a home to 100,000 military personnel during the II World War, and boasted five airfields, four hospitals and many services for the armed forces that were based here. Your scenic drive will take you to Million Dollar Point, where the American Military dumped tonnes of equipment in to the ocean at the end of the war. This historic point is now an excellent spot for divers & snorkeller’s with everything from bulldozers and trucks to ammunition and Coke bottles. History buffs will enjoy stories about Santo during the war and visit the remnants literally scattered around the island. You will experience the eerie feeling of walking through a once bustling hospital site that now boasts the feeling of a botanical garden tended by a local family, You will also visit the house site of the famous Lt James a Michener who was based here, author of the famous Tales Of The South Pacific and an incredible military hospital base with a million dollar view.
Millenium Cave Tour : A relatively new tour available in Santo is this awesome walking adventure. Not for the faint hearted, this full day tour involves a lengthy bush walk and requires some degree of fitness. “Definitely worth the effort, you will be amazed at the stunning scenery.” Your guide will lead you through narrow jungle paths, across creeks and cascades and over bamboo bridges to reach the Millennium Cave. This massive cave stretches 20m across and some 50m high. A bamboo ladder will take you from the mouth of the cave down to a crystal clear pool fed by a small cascade. From here you will journey through a magical realm of sparkling stalactites and stalagmites, with freshwater pools and thousands of tiny bats and swallows, their homes made high up in the roof of the cave. Once you’ve made your way through the cave to the riverside, it’s time for a light lunch before you float down the fresh water river towards home. Whilst floating down the shallow quick flowing river, take in the breathtaking scenery with its thermal falls’ and towering rock faces. You can’t get any closer with nature than this! This is a full day trip with lots of walking. A medium fitness level is required to really enjoy this energetic tour. Lunch is not provided, but picnic lunches can be pre ordered through your resort/hotel with a days notice. It is advisable you wear comfortable shoes which will get wet and possibly muddy. Dive booties or old running shoes are best. * TIP. Wear swimmers and comfortable clothes. Once you have had lunch, a guide will take any bags or items which you don’t wish to get wet, back to village where you will return too. The tour finishes with a walk back up to the village where the tour started and a bus trip back to your hotel. Pack a light bag with plenty of drinking water, lunch and a towel.
 |
A 30-minute bus trip from your hotel will take you to the mouth of Riri Riri River. Your guide will paddle a local ‘dugout’ canoe, whilst you sit back and enjoy the beautiful tropical scenery. Look out for freshwater prawns and fish, electric blue dragon flies, and remnants of an old bridge built by the Americans during World War II. As the river water becomes bluer, you’ll know you’re not far away from The Matavulu Blue Hole, a huge freshwater pool of iridescent blue, unique in its colour from the effect of limestone combining with freshwater. The clarity is amazing! Cool off with a refreshing swim - bring your mask and snorkel for a closer look below. After your swim, canoe back down the river, where your awaiting bus will return you to your hotel/resort in time for lunch. Lifejackets are supplied but not compulsory.
*TIP... Please bring hat and sunscreen, swimmers, towel, water shoes or dive booties and drinking water. |
|
