Taso Welawo, Owner/Manager

Taso Welawo is his custom name; it means 'a job never finished'. As Taso explains, he will be continuing to work on his bungalows from his grave!

Born on Lamen Island 53 years ago, Taso started as a fisherman and could see that travellers were interested in seeing his island but had nowhere to stay.

In 1998, he used his earnings from fishing to build his first bungalow, small beach restaurant and bar all made of local materials.

A few years later, Cyclone Uma devastated his little operation. Taso undeterred, rebuilt his bungalows a little further inland and his sons Douglas and Joshua took over the fishing. They have now expanded the fishing business by sending the much valued Poulet fish by plane to Port Vila restaurants.

Taso is the entrepreneur of the island, but still very much the local man. His friend the baker delivers fresh wood fired bread by the wheelbarrow to the door on his way to the markets.

''Once I finish the new restaurant, I will look at improving my shower blocks. The job never finishes.''

Caring for destination

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:

This accommodation is owned and operated by a NiVanuatu family. The grounds were cleared by hand and although the facilities are basic, they are by consequence, very ecologically sustainable.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative:

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 apart from what is produced at night for a few hours from a small generator, food cannot be refrigerated long enough, 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.