Mahi Mahi Beach Villas - Espiritu Santo

First time at Mahi Mahi, stayed in 2 Br Villa out the back with my partner and 13 year old daughter. The Villa quickly felt like our own beach house and we self catered via the Luganville markets which were a highlight - never have, and never will taste organic produce like that again. Paradise! The beach front Nakamal was perfect reading spot. The location in Santo is 15 minutes from shops / Luganville on beautiful clear waters, white sandy beach, quiet and restful. Only ever a few other people swan at what felt like our own private beach. Large tides without waves so good for Canoeing and exploring. View of the next large Island is directly in front. Jim and Linda were welcoming and hospitable, even drove my partner to the Dr when he was sick and allowed us an extra day to relax when our flight was delayed by the frustrating Air Vanuatu. It POURED with rain the whole week except for our last day (cyclone in Fiji apparently) so it was enforced relaxation which added to the sense of escaping somewhere else. I found the rain quite beautiful at times, frustrating at other times limiting our ability to get out and about. Our drenched clothes didn't quite recover from mouldy smell during horse trail ride, which was beautiful nonetheless. But it was an experience of the tropics in full flight. A main highlight was the driver (Jim organised) - Tusty, a Ni-Van local who was very generous and tolerant of our numerous questions. The life of coconut trees was super interesting. Tusty drove us up the coast, into town, out to dinner. He gave us a direct sense of local community life and I would highly recommended hiring Tusty for the week. Only limitations were the rain, which can't be helped, and Air Vanuatu who caused random whole day flight delays upon arrival and return. If you factor in the extra time for Air travel I would say Santo, and Mahi Mahi, offer a genuine relaxed escape away from tourist trail and connected to local life in the most beautiful of places. Thanks Jim, Linda (and Tusty - please pass on!)