At least, that’s how the real estate listing describes Vatu Vara Island. Listed at $75,000,000, that’s only $75,000/acre, which seems pretty reasonable. The top of the 1000 foot high volcano (not recently active) in the middle is 40 acres.
Currently the only access to the island is by boat, in a 20km trip from neighbouring Kaibu island. However there is a large flat limestone area on the eastern side of the island large enough even to land a jumbo jet or private jet.
If you need to borrow a cup of sugar, Mel Gibson will be your neighbor. He bought Mago, the relatively large island straight east for $15 million in 2005.
2 minutes. Link to Video
The island might even pay for itself. From South Sea Reminiscences by T.R. St. Johnston (1932):
The island was at one time bought and occupied by Joe Thompson, and American seaman to whose movements and affluence a great deal of mystery where attached. He seemingly had an endless supply of gold coins, the source of which he could never be induced to divulge; and as there was one part of the island which he would allow no one to approach, it was thought that he had buried the treasure there. The truth of the matter was never known. Thompson was insane at the time of his death, and the secret of his buried treasure, if it ever existed, died with him.
By the way, I think I saw Vatu Vara in the The Mystery of the Human Hobbit at 21:17.
:: Nothing To Do With Arbroath
