Category: Things To Do

Explore Eton Reef

Take a 'Reef Walk' across Eton Reef

One of our most favorite things to do is to explore Eton Reef which is right in front of Papaya Villa. Once the tide drops you can spend hours looking at real coral and reef fish.

We have approx 1.6 kilometers of pristine reef in front of the property here at Eton Reef. You will see live corals and beautiful colored reef fish in a natural environment.

Go snorkeling and take a camera. Stoney takes her Go-Pro and captures some amazing video. If you want a tour, just check with Shoran. She does make a small charge, but that goes to purchase some books for the kids in our village

Exploring Eton Reef
Eton Reef
Colorful fish
amazing coral

Afternoon Tapas

And there goes the afternoon...

We decided to give dinner a miss and spend the afternoon making and eating tapas in the Loco Kitchen. A glass or two of wine and there it is!

Crispy fried squid tentacles, home made chorizo bread, pork feijoada, tender eye fillet pinchos, patatas brava, and prawn and chorizo paella…

Guests are able to order dinner, just let me know in the morning and the menu really depends on what is available and fresh.

We do operate the Papaya Loco Cooking School from here so the food is always fresh and interesting.
Just another option for dinner for our wonderful guests….

Fried squid tentacles and flakey salttoes
Home made chorizo bread
Feijoada Tapa
Tender Pork Feijoada
Pinchos Tapas
Eye filet pinchos
Prawn Paelle

Paella at Papaya

Spain comes to the South Pacific ...

Who would have thought you could enjoy paella here in the islands of the South Pacific?

Our paella is one of the most requested dishes at our Long Lunches. The scent of saffron, bay leaves and beautiful lobster stock floats around the villa. 

Many of our guests take a cooking class with Marcus in the afternoon and then that’s dinner done! If we have lobster from our reef then it finds its way into the paella also.

The hero ingredients usually depend on what’s available here at the time. It may be farmed prawns from Teouma, octopus from Efate, or beautiful poulet fish which is a speciality of Vanuatu. For vegetarians imagine tofu marinated in garlic and smokey paprika with brown rice and black beans!

Stoney makes her fabulous sangria. Perfect with paella on a tropical island

This will be a memorable meal for sure…

Paella

The Beach Hut

Our Special Beach Hut

Well peeps we are right on the ocean so why not create a fab space to sit and ponder the world? We wanted some shade and also the ability to have somewhere to catch up with friends and take in the cool ocean breezes. So the Beach Hut was built!

Beach Hut Dining

The Beach Hut is perfect for an early dinner watching the waves roll over the reef. Or if you really must eat in the middle of the day… why not a light lunch followed by a swim. Check with Shoran if you would like a picnic basket for a day at the beach.

Lunch at the Beach Hut
Beach Hut Coffee Break

Beach Hut Coffee Break

Most of our guests take breakfast at the Beach Hut overlooking the ocean. What a way to start the day. Me… I like to take my early coffee here and ponder the coming day.

The Beach Hut - Papaya Villa

The Loco Long Lunch

How about a five hour long lunch with Caribbean and Portuguese food ... followed by a swim

Stoney sets up the big table in the nakamal at least once a month…. but this is becoming popular so check in when you are staying and join the fun. Lunch kicks off around midday and usually followed by a swim around 3:30 and then onto dessert! 
Marcus makes 5+ courses using what is fresh and available locally. Food is Caribbean or Macanese and every now and then he will surprise our guests with a typical island dish.
It is BYO so guests bring their favourite drop. It a great afternoon… usually Sunday afternoon…

Long Lunch

The Milky Way

Stargazing...

This year we built the ‘Star Deck’ where you relax of a night, turn the lights out, grab a glass of wine and WOW! ….What a show. 

In the Southern Hemisphere we are privileged to have the Milky Way. These pics were taken by Anshel from Hong Kong during his stay with us. Incredible… thank you Anshel.

The Villa at night
Star Gazing

Culinary Vacation

What is a Culinary Vacation?

Food is one of the great reasons to travel, with many travelers wanting to make food the main experience of their vacation.

Instead of setting yourself up for yet another touristy sight-seeing trip, why not try something different for a change? Book in for a stay that will include cooking lessons and an immersion into local food culture and dishes. Experience local produce and ingredients that you might only find in the islands!

Discover the Vanuatu islands through the cooking pot. It has been richly influenced by the Portuguese, the French and of course the local ni-Vanuatu people. A culinary vacation will introduce you to the traditional ingredients such as coconut, taro, manioc, sweet potato, island cabbage, plantain bananas, organically grown vanilla beans, monstrous pink grapefruits, Pacific lobsters and poulet fish.

Take a Tour

Exploring the Reef

We have the most amazing pristine reef right in front of the villa. Slap on some sunscreen and set aside a few hours to explore. There is literally kilometers of natural reef right at your door step. On the low tide this amazing ecosystem is uncovered for you to explore.

Expect to see natural corals, colorful reef fish and clams. Take a snorkel to explore some of the natural pools as well.

Remember to bring some reef shoes, or you can pick some up in town very cheaply.

Take a Tour