Mystery Island Bungalows, Mystery Island

Ruben & Oceanie Neram, Managers

These bungalows are built by the owners and their extended families with basic hand tools (sometimes with just a bushknife, a shovel, and a wheel barrow). Materials used in the construction are primarily found in their local surroundings such as coral bamboo for making walls by splitting, flattening and weaving.  Natangora Palm fronds layered on top of each other; Coconut Palm leaves are also used for matting and roofing material. Pandanus leaves are used extensively in floor matting and bags, or other areas requiring tight weaving.

Cement is used, mixed by hand using aggregate and sand from the beach and water from the local well or creek. Even the cement bricks are made from moulds by the villagers.  Wood beams are cut from local wood with bush knives or purchased from other locals possessing portable mills.

Food
The menu centres around what can be grown in the owner's garden or is available from local producers at the local markets, all of it grown 100% organically.  Beef is grazed on 100% organic food and fish are fresh from the local waters, but as there is no electricity hence food cannot be refrigerated, so it is literally "the catch of the day".

As is common in the islands, local people try to imitate what they think "western" people eat and consequently add a lot of "western" additives to their food such as Maggie stock meat, Soya, or whatever concentrates can be found.

As food flavour, presentation and nutritional value to most NiVanuatu is of little importance (...you eat what you're given, whatever it is, and be happy that you have something to eat, approach...), the pursuit of a gastronomic experience is not high on their list.

Ask for your food to be cooked without all the "western extras" if you want to taste the real flavours of your lobster, fish, steak or vegetables.

People
All Bungalows are built, owned and operated by local people hence all income generated by these businesses go directly back into the local economy.