Siloa Guesthouse is an island bungalow on the beach in Utanlang Village. It is owned and run by Jimmy David of Utanlang.

Utanlang is the most distant accommodation on Nguna Island and that can make it the most relaxing. In the water, there's a rocky reef and drop off dive with lava tubes close to the beach. Dive boat charters sometimes visit to dive with the big fish. Out of the water, you can hike up Mount Taputoara, an extinct volcano and Nguna's highest peak (elevation 593m).

Costs and Booking
Accommodation costs 2500 Vatu per person, including meals. Exchange Rates.

There is a community phone where you can make enquiries (23999). You can also call Peter Taty of Taty Transport on 25380. We would like to provide mobile phone numbers. Contact us if you can help.

Siloa Guesthouse had its first visitor in December 2003. Jimmy will upgrade facilities as he receives more support from visitors.

Accomodation and Food
There's one simple bungalow constructed of local materials. It has three single beds. The door is lockable if you bring a small padlock. There are no mosquito nets but mosquito coils are available. There's practically no electricity in Utanlang. A kerosene lamp and candle are provided.

The smol haos has a western style sit-down toilet flushed with a bucket of sea water. Fresh water is available for bathing (bucket showers) and Jimmy plans to construct a haos blong swim. The beach is good for swimming at high tide. You need to bring you own towel and a mosquito net.

Island style meals of above average standard are provided at Siloa. There are no self catering facilities except a fireplace outside. Breakfasts may include home-baked bread, gato, biscuits, and fruit. Lunches and dinners are nearly always fish with rice, kumala, manioc, taro, aelan kabis, fruit and tea. Rainwater is available for drinking (bring a water bottle).

Transport
The simplest option is to walk from Taloa, following the truck road along the east coast of Nguna (3 hours). It's an easy, scenic walk passing several villages. The locals use this route rather than pass through the bush along the west coast which is more direct but more difficult.

If you have a lot of gear or can't walk for other reasons, you can charter one of the trucks on the island for 2500 Vatu (one way charter between Utanlang and Taloa, contact Peter Taty). Note that the hill climbs are slippery after rain and the trucks have to wait for the tracks to dry.

Another way to Utanlang is to charter a speedboat. If you can find a captain to take you it should cost 4000 or 5000 Vatu, one way, from Emua on north Efate. On Nguna, a boat from Udapua to Utanlang (10 minutes walk west of Taloa on Nguna Island) should cost about 2000 Vatu, one way.

It's not easy to organise transport to Utanlang but the return booking should be less difficult because you can follow someone who is going to Port Vila.

First surveyed: December 2003 by Stephen.
Last updated: May 2011 by Stephen.

Visitor Ratings for Siloa Guesthouse, Utanlang Rate it

Date	Ratings	Comments
03/05/2011	Standard Location Value	We stayed here in December 2010 and the accommodation wasn't at its best! The bungalow has been moved from the sea up into the bush garden (at the edge of the village)which is very beautiful and Jimmy's pride and joy ... but the bungalow is in need of serious upgrade and repair - we too were harassed by rats and didn't sleep thinking that they were going to fall through the roof! The bed was hard and the mattress dusty and thin. Jimmy is trying very hard to upgrade and needs support of tourists to do this. This is a beautiful part of Vanuatu, so please try to support this business knowing that the bungalows are not that fabulous. Utanglang village is still worth the visit, the beach is fabulous and you can hike up the volcano.
28/02/2011	Standard Location Value	went trekking there cause was told it was a great place. The owner had us stay in a rat infested room which was quite unpleasant. to top it all we wanted to leave and due to its distance we were told we couldnt leave until a few days later.... this meant we had to stay and pay for board, which is what they wanted. The food was simple and the same for 3 days,.. we then discovered we were being scammed to stay and charged for a private charter boat, when there were daily local boats available.
11/10/2010	Standard Location Value	Very nice place, excellent fresh food, good reef where you can see turtle (if you're lucky). 2500vt per day per pers. Jimmy, the owner, have always the smile and explain to you the life at utanlang. go there it's paradise !! Arnaud (frenchy)