HOTRS
New Zealander expat in Vanuatu
Forum posts
15
About me
New Zealander
Lives in Port Vila
Registration: 23 October 2015
Activity
How to save money in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you plan your budget before your move to Vanuatu? If so, how did you go about it? How do you save money in your day to day life? Do you find there are any areas where you can't cut costs? Do you have any tips about ...
We have always been careful with our money, but in Vanuatu money slides through our fingers like melted butter. Due to the salt air, without fail most things mechanical break down. For instance last week 3 water heating units all broke down within ... Read More
Dengue Fever in Efate, Vanuatu by jumble
We are considering moving back to live in Efate - but are concerned about the increase risk of getting Dengue Fever from mosquitoes. We used to live on Devils Point Rd and are considering moving back there. Is the govt there doing any spraying etc. ...
We have lived in Efate for 9 years, and have never had dengue. True we are careful when we go outside and spray. All windows have insect screens. Even if you did get it, it's not a huge deal, there are much worse afflictions to be lumbered with. ... Read More
How to bring your car to Vanuatu by Bhavna
Hello everybody, If you exported your car to Vanuatu, were there any formalities that needed to be completed beforehand? What were they? What is the best way to export your car? Is there a limit on the number of vehicles, or perhaps the age of ...
we already owned 2 LHD cars, so popping them into a container was not a big deal. We then imported one from the US, again no big deal. Friends asked for dispensation, to bring in a RHD, the hassle of it was not worth the exercise, apparently. If you ... Read More
Following fashion in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hi everyone, Do you follow fashion trends in Vanuatu? Every country and every culture has its own dress code. As far as you are concerned, have you changed the way you dress? Can one easily find fashion boutiques in Vanuatu? Are clothes ...
I don't think I have changed the way I dress since we came to Vanuatu. However, I draw the line at Mother Hubbard dresses. I will leave those for the Ni Van ladies. What has happened . However, after saying that, my hubby has become lazy with ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Vanuatu can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent homesickness? How ...
In 8 years we have never felt the slightest melancholy for home. True, there are things we miss that we can't buy in Port Vila, simple things that can easy get at home, but that's totally different to being home sick. We don't miss ... Read More
Your new local habits in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Vanuatu is a great way to immerse in a new culture and lifestyle. Have you embraced local customs since you've lived in Vanuatu? If so, which one(s)? Did local customs change the way you see things, appreciate life ...
Hi Gordon, We think we met Neil and his wife on a cruise fairly recently. We sat with them at dinner. Regrettably we didn't have long to chat to them, as they wanted to go to a show. We looked out for them over the next few days, to no avail. If ... Read More
Your new local habits in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Vanuatu is a great way to immerse in a new culture and lifestyle. Have you embraced local customs since you've lived in Vanuatu? If so, which one(s)? Did local customs change the way you see things, appreciate life ...
As good or as bad as may sound, off hand I can't think of any local customs that we have adopted. In regards to the way we see things, it has made us realize just how much we have, that most of the Ni Van people don't have. It saddens us ... Read More
Expand your social circle in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Vanuatu means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
Thank you for your kind response Kevin. We are a very friendly couple, however I will take your advise on board and keep smiling, it is very simple to do here. So glad you have been able to make friends. Read More
Expand your social circle in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Moving to Vanuatu means leaving one's family and friends behind. Creating a circle of friends or joining an existing one should therefore be paramount in order to fight loneliness in your host country. But how can one develop a ...
We thought we would make lots of friends (we had a large group of friends at home) when we moved. Alas it's not to be. It seems people are already in their cliques, and there's no room for anyone new. We have spent many hours pondering this ... Read More
Insurance coverage in Vanuatu by Kenjee
Hello everyone, Moving abroad requires adequate insurance coverage. What type of insurance expatriates need the most in Vanuatu: health, house or liability insurance? All of them? Do they come as a package? Are there other insurance ...
Kenjee, I so wish it was that simple. For us to get medical coverage would cost $1200 each per month. There is no way we can afford that, so just have to wing it, and hope and pray we never get so sick we need to be flown to a hospital somewhere, in ... Read More
Dealing with emergency situations in Vanuatu by Priscilla
Hello everybody, Dealing with unexpected situations abroad can be a very difficult matter. In order to better help expats and soon-to-be expats in Vanuatu face such tricky situations, we invite you to share your advice and experience. What are ...
It's not my story, but the story of a friend. She was watching TV at 5.45pm on her own when a machete wielding Ni Vanuatu guy came up behind her, while she was sitting on her sofa. Her elderly dog tried to protect her, he got chopped (he's ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Vanuatu? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Vanuatu, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
Several years now. Ok, there are some frustrations, which you will no doubt experience. But there's no such place as Nirvana, anywhere you live. We too thought we would make friends easily with the expats, we had no trouble in our mother ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Vanuatu? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Vanuatu, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
Yes sygeorgio, it would be nice to hear from others. Please don't let me put you off, despite the unfriendliness, we will never leave, unless, god forbid, we had no choice. I suspect if you are going to be working here, or have kids at school, ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Vanuatu? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Vanuatu, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
In retrospect, yes we would move again to Vanuatu. That's not to say we haven't had our fair share of problems to deal with. Cyclone Pam being one of the many hiccups. But on the whole, expats are tough, if one wasn't, Vanuatu isn't ... Read More
New: Gatherings and events in Vanuatu by Julien
Hi, Would you like to have a coffee, organize a dinner or find people for activities in Vanuatu? To help you meet people and find outings in Vanuatu, we launched a Gatherings and Events section in Vanuatu: you can now follow whats going on in ...
What a fantastic idea, we have found it very hard to meet other expats, not having kids, or working. So this might be exactly what Vanuatu needs. Read More