Sunrise Bungalows, Manuapen, Tanna Island

Isaac & Rachel Nauka, Owner/Managers

"My wife and I started Sunrise in 2006.  We cleared the land of weeds and invasive bushes by hand, keeping only the native trees and the plants that birds like to eat.

It took us a long time to become who we are, learning, making big fella mistakes because business is a white man's kastom and not known by our people. But with the help of the European Union that helped us get started and now Vanuatu Hotels, we are in a better position to understand and service the traveller that come to us.

We love and respect our land, and want to share it with people from other lands.  Maybe one day, we can have enough money to go to their lands to understand their kastoms.

That is a dream we have."........Isaac and Rachel

These bungalows are built by the local people with basic hand tools. Materials used in the construction are primarily found in their local surroundings such as bamboo for making walls by splitting, flattening and weaving.  Natangora Palm fronds layered on top of each other; Coconut Palm leaves are 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.  Wood beams are cut from local wood with bush knives.

Food
The menu centres around what is available from local producers, all of it grown 100% organically.  Beef is grazed on 100% organic food and fish are fresh from the local waters.

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 gastronomy is not high on their list.

Ask for your food to be cooked without all the 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.