Alo Lodge is at the heart of one of the regions where culture has been most preserved. Custom villages and historical sites are numerous and accessible by foot. There are extensive possibilities for bushwalking and fishing. The South West corner of Malakula has seen a strong revival of traditional custom. Many chiefs have returned to their traditional grounds from where they had been removed at the time of the missions. They are rebuilding Nakamals and rediscovering the old stones and sacred sites.
Accommodation
Restaurant: Very simple and serves a fixed menu of simple cuisine of local products.The kitchen is a lovely outbuilding in open air. Take drinks with you.
Tours and Activities
All tours are conducted by a local guide speaking Bislama and limited English. Good walking boots (no runners) recommended.
Sunset at Mindua Nakamal: Your guide will take you to the village Nakamal, where village elders and chiefs congregate and stories are told (a special area is reserved for the women). This place is where the village decisions are taken, while drinking freshly ground kava.
Mun and Lohtou day tour: The tour will take you by boat and by foot (easy walk)to ancient villages using abandoned coral roads. Your guide will show you historical sites, chiefs' graves, ceremonial cairns, etc. Your visit will take you to the very impressive dance ground of Mun, surrounded by polished sacrificial stones similar to antique columns. Some areas are not accessible to women.
Venamboas half day tour: Custom village in the hills above South-West Bay. The villagers have kept their custom and live as they did centuries ago. You will visit the Nakamal and houses. The access track gives some spectacular views over the bush, the bay and the neighbouring lagoon (2 1/2 hr of moderate walking, requires good walking boots).
Looraba'ap half day tour: Custom village accessible by foot (easy walk) which has been revived by a field worker of the Cultural Centre. You will learn here the traditional melanesian ways, how grades are obtained and ceremonies organised. The dancing ground boasts ancient sacrificial pig killing stones .
Gardens and Lagoon: This walk will take you through the village gardens, where yams, manioc and fruits are cultivated, to the lagoon where ships used to seek shelter. Today, the lagoon is only accessible to small boats (easy walk).
Lembinwen Lagoon: This boat tour starts from South-West Bay beach, and the dinghy will take you inside the lagoon to admire the mangroves, the surrounding forest and the small islands (2 hrs by boat).
Half day fishing: Leaving the beach, you will go fishing around the little rocky island that was used as a target by the US forces during the second world war. Fishing on the bottom or trolling is available and any catch will be barbecued upon your return. Bonitos, dolphin fish, poulet or wahoo are plentiful to the artful fisherman (4 hrs). Maximum 4 passengers.
Cascades full day tour: Bush walk amongst spectacular wilderness, through the rainforest with trees several centuries old, your tour will include a picnic at the refreshing cascades (moderate walk).