Vanuatu

Vanuatu (Vanuatu means 'Land Eternal') is a "Y"-shaped chain of 83 islands 800km west of Nadi (Fiji). The islands range from towering volcanic cones to others covered in dense rainforest to others which are raised coral islands with wide beaches and deep natural harbours. The Ni-Vanuatu people are a peaceful, loving, gentle race, who enjoy life's simpler pleasures in a country of unique and diverse customs and culture. There are experiences for the traveller not found anywhere else in the world like the Pentecost Land Dive (the first bungy jump) and the Toka Ceremony on the island of Tanna. The people of Vanuatu are predominantly Melanesian. The Ni Vanuatu have populated the islands for centuries and with more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving, Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. There are small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Islands people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu. Until 1980 Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, was jointly administered by France and Great Britain as a 'Condominium'. There are many reminders of the days when a gendarme would patrol one side of the main street and a London 'Bobby' the other.

For stays not exceeding 30 days, visitors from countries including USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, the UK, Norway, Switzerland, EU countries and Fiji do not require a visa. Permission is usually granted for an extension of up to four months simply by applying while there. Visas are only obtainable from The Immigration Department, Port Vila, Vanuatu. PMB 014, Tel: 22 354, Fax: 25 492.

The international port of entry is Bauerfield, only 10 mins from Port Vila. There is a currency exchange facility as well as bars/restaurants and duty free shops.

The total population is approximately 173,000.

The introduction of the International Companies Act made Vanuatu one of the most attractive and competitive financial centres in the world. Trading banks are ANZ, Bank of Hawaii Vanuatu, Westpac and the National Bank of Vanuatu. Banking hours are 8:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. The National Bank of Vanuatu's airport office is open for all flight arrivals.

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Foreign currency is readily transacted and the local currency unit is the Vatu. Travellers cheques or cash are easily converted into the local currency during your visit and can be exchanged when leaving at the airport. The banks will accept most major credit and debit cards and Goodies usually has the best rate for cash and travellers cheques in town. As a rough guide, one US dollar will buy around 126 vatu, an Australian dollar around 82, a British pound a bit over 200, the Fiji and New Zealand dollar around 65 vatu.

Offices are generally open from 7:30am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Shops from 8:00am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday and 8:00 to Noon on Saturday. Banks from 8:00 to 3:00pm Monday to Friday and the Post Office from 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, the same as the USA and Europe. Cars, 4WDs and jeeps are available for hire. Taxis are plentiful and are all metered although some may agree to a fixed rate. It is quite common for a driver to offer passengers a comparable rate to the bus. Mini buses offer a frequent though not timetabled service. Look for the letter 'B' next to the front licence plate and simply flag one down and tell the driver where you want to go. The fare is VT100 a trip anywhere around town and sometimes you may get the 'scenic' route. Inter-island travel is mainly by air as inter-island boats taking deck passengers are irregular. Cruise ships regularly call at Port Vila.

There is a departure tax of VT2500 per person (except children under 12 years old), payable in local currency if not pre-paid as part of return air ticket.

!!!!!!!!!!!!! islama, English and French. There are 115 'mother tongues' in common use.

World wide satellite communications, 24 hours telephone, fax, email and web access. Phone, telex, fax at the post office and resorts and there's an Internet café in the main street.

Summer is from November to March, the average temperature is 28°C and it can be hot, wet and humid. Winter is from April to October with the temperature averaging 23°C. Sea temperature varies from 22 to 28 degrees making swimming enjoyable all year round.

After tourism, the economy is mainly based around agriculture - copra, cattle, cocoa, coffee. The Ni Vanuatu in outlying areas rely on traditional subsistence farming, clearing patches of bush or jungle to meet basic daily requirements. Vanuatu is a tax haven. There is no income tax, corporate tax, capital gains tax, witholding taxes or death duties. There is a 12.5% government tax on all goods which is included in the price. Because it is a tax haven, there are a number of accountants in Port Vila to assist those wishing to invest or base an international company in Vanuatu. The facilities and the expertise available through the members of the Vanuatu Finance Centre Association are world standard.

The style of art in Vanuatu varies from island to island, like the customs and traditions. Carving is a traditional art and there are many fine painters, weavers and potters. Handicraft Blong Vanuatu, located in the centre of Port Vila provides a wide selection of authentic handicrafts from many islands of Vanuatu. You will also find handicraft at Art Blong Yumi and Goodies.

There's a great variety of watersports with excellent reef and wreck diving. There are four golf courses in Port Vila, tennis courts, fitness centres, jazzercize, squash. There's excellent big game fishing, horse riding schools, cycling, annual triathlon. The annual picnic horse race day is a must, there are rugby games and regular Amateur Theatrical Society productions are staged. The international class Palms Casino is part of Le Meridien Resort and Club Vanuatu and Club 21 also have poker machines and entertainment. Watch the notice boards outside the supermarkets for up-coming events.

All major hotels have regular entertainment and there are several night clubs open till late. There is gambling at Palms Casino (Le Meridien Resort), Club 21 (Melanesian Resort) and at Club Vanuatu. In the evenings men drink kava at local kava bars or Nakamals. Regular Melanesian cultural shows are available. Club Vanuatu and The Office Pub have cable sports channels on screen.

The kava in Vanuatu is reputedly stronger than its Fijian equivalent, and it is drunk without the Fijian 'clapping' ceremony. The cup should still be drunk in one motion however. Kava tours cost around VT400.

Predominantly Christian. Visitors are welcome to attend Sunday services. Many of the shops and markets close on Sundays. Some Chinese-owned shops and supermarkets may be open and, at the resorts, it's business as usual.

Foreign cash, travellers cheques and major international credit cards (Amex, Diners, JCB, Mastercard and Visa) are widely accepted. Most shops close for 'siesta' 11:30am to 1:30pm. Restaurants, cafes, banks, supermarkets and the Post Office do not observe siesta. Shops open on Saturday morning and some specialty shops and supermarkets open on Sunday morning. Suburban general stores open early and close late seven days a week. The colourful market in the town centre operates every day except Sundays for flowers, fruit, vegetables and handicrafts.

The urban water supply is safe to drink and bottled water is also readily available. here are no dangerous animals or insects in Vanuatu and no vaccinations are required although anti-malarial precautions are recommended for visits to outer islands. Hospital and ambulance facilities exist in Port Vila and there are a number of doctors including Dr Findberg (Tel 22826) and Dr Bador (Tel 23065). There are also a number of dentists, physiotherapists and chemists.

Dress is light and casual, but not too brief in public places. Tropical clothes for evening wear - no ties.

Electricity is 220-230 volts AC, mainly three-point plugs in hotels.

Fire telephone 22 333, Police telephone 22 222, Ambulance telephone 22 100.

Passengers over 15 years - 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos, 1.5 litres alcohol or 2L wine, and 25cl litre eau de toilette and 10 centilitres perfume plus a total of 20,000 vatu in unused goods. Visitors' personal effects are entered duty free.

Dining is a highlight in Vanuatu. Fresh local fish, beef, fruit and vegetables are in plentiful supply. Top class restaurants offer Melanesian, French, Polynesian, Indian, Chinese, Thai-Vietnamese, English and Japanese specialties.

There is no tipping or bargaining, it goes against local tradition. A smile and a 'thank you' is tip enough. Mind you, the prices at the souvenir markets do rise on days when cruise ships are in dock, so it's best to put off the shopping for a day if you know one is in town.

Travel insurance is highly recommended and very affordable. As they say, if you can't afford the insurance, you can't afford to travel.