[Academic]

As usual, DH and I have let Christmas holiday time creep up on us with no plans. We have two weeks off and will probably end up eating each other's heads if we spend them at home alone.

I threw out a joke suggestion yesterday that we just jump on a plane and go to Fiji. DH actually looked up flights then and there, but as expected, they were very pricey.

Then I looked up flights to Vanuatu instead, and they are surprisingly not that expensive. About $550 each, return. It would cost about the same to go most places in Australia at this time of year. Since we're more very-basic-bungalow people than resort people, we'd end up spending less than $800 each for a week of awesome jungle hiking and snorkelling on a beautiful island, which DH has never been to and I've never been to as an adult. Which is still quite a bit, of course, but potentially very worth it.

On the other hand, I've always wanted to go to Moreton Island and have never done so, even though it's so close to Brisbane. I've looked up camping permits and there are still some available for the week between Christmas and New Year's. So that would be a much cheaper option - just the ferry ticket, permit fees and food etc. for the week.

I know we should probably just be sensible and go to Moreton, but I've become quite swept up in the romantic idea of just jetting off somewhere exotic. We haven't left Australia for a couple of years after travelling for 18 months, and my feet are as itchy as someone with chronic tinea - even if it's just a short jaunt to the Pacific.

What would you do? (It's a nice dilemma to have, I know!)

[marnie27]

I'd go to Vanuatu and save Moreton Island for another time. Vanuatu sounds perfect for a relaxing break and I love going overseas, experiencing different cultures etc.

[Sinister Bonnet]

Do it! Go to Vanuatu!

The weather is predicted to be very wet over Xmas...

[RunawayPrincess]

Vanuatu without a doubt

[RumbleBee]

Vanuatu! I am totally jealous - I now live in the UK, and in this dark drizzly winter I can only dream of the option of a cheap trip to a Pacific island paradise!

Do it for me, OP!

[MrsLexiK]

We did this 2 years ago. Everywhere we were planning in Australia was the wet season or was ultra expensive for Christmas. So we went to Vanuatu because it was cheaper. It rained really badly some of the days (which we knew was a risk) having said that we went to Fiji this year in the dry season and it rained really badly for a number of days as well.

[qak]

If you have passports, Vanuatu!

[Zesty]

Vanuatu for sure.

[EBeditor]

As long as you don't mind the humidity and dampness of the wet season, it's always fun to go overseas.

[wish*upon*a*star]

Vanuatu, no hesitation!