Who: Jennie and Carrie Harmon of Centennial
Where: Tanna Island, Republic of Vanuatu, atop Mount Yassur, the world’s most accessible active volcano
Best meal: Lunch at Port Resolution Restaurant on Tanna Island. You can dine on an all- but-deserted white sand beach while sampling the local cuisine. For $6, we ate a huge feast of pumpkin, yams, fish, chicken, green coconuts and fresh fruits right off the tree. Plan to ask Kelson at the Jungle Oasis to arrange for fresh lobster.
Best deal: Jungle Oasis Bungalows in Tanna, at the base of Mount Yassur. Only a 45-minute walk or five-minute truck ride to the top of Mount Yassur. If you are feeling adventurous, rent the only snowboard on the island and ride down the ash plane of the volcano. You can stay in a veritable Vanuatu garden paradise and use the kitchen to make your own meals for free. While on your way to the Jungle Oasis, stop by one of the many roadside markets and pick up fresh fruits and veggies for mere pennies.
Best time to go: September or October. You will miss the rainy season and the heat and humidity.
Best travel tip: Bring a sweatshirt, because it can get cold at night, especially at the top of the volcano. Try the national dish, lap-lap – interesting.
