Our Island Paradise

Ventiak International Airport is situated on the south east corner of the island of Miamalau. From the airport gates the visitor can either turn left towards Taulala, 20 km to the west or right towards Mialia 80 km to the north.

The road to Taulala passes along a narrow coastal strip with little habitation apart from one or two hotels, such as The New Furnell, which are built on the beach side of the road. The land here rises steeply up from the sea towards the twin peaks, Kafu and Tamalek, in the centre of the island. Rough tracks, leading directly from the road, wind through narrow gullies and up sharp ridges. Much of the old rain forest survives and some of the scenery is spectacular. Travellers are not advised to venture into this area without a guide, however.

Taulala itself is situated around the edge of a semicircular bay on the southwest coast. Over recent years the city as gradually outgrown the confines of the old naval base and port. Hundreds of two or three storey buildings, along with a few taller more modern structures, are crammed into the strip between the sea and the steep hills behind. The streets are narrow and overcrowded, especially within the old town, and traffic congestion has become a problem with the gradually increasing population.

Beyond Taulala, the road turns north, through the light industrial area of Soluku. The coastal strip is a little wider here although the inland slopes are no less steep. Dozens of small factories straggle along both sides of the road. Most have been built to serve the local market but there are a few manufacturers of furniture and other products which are utilising local hardwoods to make goods for export.

It is possible to continue driving beyond Soluku and pass right round the north west of the island to Mialia. The coast on the western side is very rugged and some of the scenery magnificent. Parts of the road are unsealed, however, and in poor repair. The round trip is probably best taken in a four-wheel drive vehicle.

The easier route to Mialia is north from the airport up the east coast. Here the scenery is typical of the South Pacific. Gentle bays, becalmed behind the protection of coral reefs, are lined along their shores with coconut palms. To the landward side of the road the gentle slopes roll back up towards the Central plateau and the twin peaks. There are many villages here where the people still live close to their traditions. They grow bananas, mango, coconut, maize, taro, and an indigenous vegetable called vitivuk. They also raise pigs and chickens and fish the reef and the open sea beyond for a vast array of seafood from bounder crabs to yellow-fin tuna.

Mialia is the tourist centre of Ventiak. Small by international standards, it nonetheless boasts one of the Pacific’s most famous resort hotels, the Jack George, established in 1888 and a favourite spot of the American millionaire, Absolem Carter, during his Pacific cruises during the 1890s. Newer establishments include the Blue Lagoon, the Ventiak Hilton, and the Kumalamau Hotel. A local market provides traditional handicrafts and, in addition to the surfing, diving and snorkelling, one can also enjoy guided tours into the central plateau to see some of the remarkable flora and fauna of this, the best kept secret on the Pacific holiday map.