Our trip to Vanuatu was a much-needed escape from the increasing hustle and stress of Sydney. With traffic getting worse every year, a 3.5-hour flight to the South Pacific felt like the perfect antidote.

We chose to stay on the main island of Efate rather than a remote resort island, wanting a good balance of relaxation and things to do. We stayed at the lovely Sunset Bungalows, a delightful adults-only resort close to Port Vila. Our bungalow sat right over the water, and we fell asleep every night to the gentle sound of waves lapping beneath us. The nightly cocktails and relaxed atmosphere made it a winner.

Our first day we flagged down a local bus on the side of the road and headed into the capital, Port Vila (affectionately called “the City” by locals). It’s small and a little dusty, but full of charm. The bustling fruit and vegetable market is a must-visit — packed with fresh local produce and friendly ladies in bright dresses. We also stopped by the Cultural Centre, which gave us a good overview of Vanuatu’s history and traditions (and shelter from a sudden downpour). Lunch at Chill offered excellent views across the harbour to Iririki Island.

On day three we joined a day tour with Holiday Makers, run by the wonderful Letty. Although I’m usually not a fan of organised tours, this one turned out to be excellent — we ended up with a private tour all to ourselves.

We visited the beautiful Blue Lagoon for morning tea, explored a local village where the men performed traditional dances and showed us a massive strangler fig tree used as a cyclone shelter. We stopped at a village school where the children sang for us and the teacher shared their challenges. Lunch was a tasty local meal of yam, kumera, banana, and curries served in a scenic waterfront spot.

Other stops included an old WWII American airstrip, a disused magnesium mine, and a quirky roadside museum run by a dreadlocked local featuring old Coca-Cola bottles and war relics collected by his grandfather. Our final stop was the stunning Havannah Bay — a sheltered, picture-perfect bay where one of the Survivor series was filmed. I could have easily spent the whole day there.