SAFETY

Vanuatu is a very safe place, but it’s amazing how people let their guard down when on holidays. Tourists all over the world are easy targets for theft. They carry money, passports and cameras and are easily distracted when surrounded by new cultures and surroundings. On the whole, the ni-Vanuatu pride themselves on their honesty and politeness but petty theft does occur. Don’t leave shoes or towels outside your room at night, leave valuables in your hotel, lock cars - basically, take the precautions you would at home.

SAILING

(see Yachting)

SAMOA

SANDALWOOD TRADERS

Sandalwood was in great demand in China for making incense in the 1800’s and Erromango was the main target for traders from 1820 - 1860. The traders didn’t particularly get on with the local people and, indeed, some of them ended up being killed and eaten. The antagonism reached its height in the 1840s when nine ships were attacked and the sailors taken. The traders retaliated by chasing natives into a cave and lighting a fire at the entrance, killing them all through suffocation. The cave still exists. Some missionaries also met their end as a form of retaliation against the traders. Coincidentally, one of the missionaries to meet a nasty end was John Williams, the reverend who introduced Christianity to Samoa. The plaque on the memorial on Beach Road in Apia reads: JOHN WILLIAMS PIONEER MISSIONARY OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY IN THE PACIFIC LANDED IN SAMOA AUGUST 24 1830. MARTYRED IN ERROMANGO AND BURIED NEAR THIS SPOT. THIS STONE COMMEMORATES THE FIRST 100 YEARS CHRISTIANITY IN SAMOA. 1930.

SANTO

The island of Espiritu Santo. more commonly known as Santo, is Vanuatu’s largest island and second business centre. It was an important American base during WWII and the army left behind airfields and wrecks that make for great scuba diving. The island’s biggest attraction is the 1930’s luxury liner, the SS President Coolidge, which is sunk in 20m to 70m of water just a walk/swim from the shore. With jeeps, trucks, weapons and an amazing array of sea life, this is arguably the world’s best wreck dive. The island also has fantastic scenery including the much-photographed Champagne Beach, Blue Hole and Oyster Island. Santo is important to the country’s economy and produces export quality beef, cocoa, coffee and timber. The capital, Luganville, is a sleepy town that sprawls along the waterfront. It has a certain run-down charm, as there are many reminders of how it once saw much busier times.

SCENIC FLIGHTS

2007 brought lots of option lots of options. Vanuatu Seaplanes has scenic flights, romantic island options, ‘Flights of Fire’ (volcano) and seaplane fishing. Visit www.vanuatuseaplanes.com or ring Carlene on 42 619. Simon and Jeremy operate Vanuatu Helicopters from the Nambawan Café on the harbour for charter, scenic flights, volcano trips, the land dive on Pentecost, a posh drop in to Tamanu on the Beach for lunch or a day of romance and relaxation on your own private beach. Phone 44 106 or visit www.vanuatuhelicopters.com. There’s also Air Club Vila provides safe and comfortable air charter services throughout the entire archipelago, offering short scenic flights around Port Vila, to standing on the edge of the worlds most accessible volcano. Visit www.airclubvila.com for more information or phone 22 514. Unity Airlines is also available for charter - phone 24 475.

SCHOOLS

For expatriates there are two main schools. The French School follows the traditional French curriculum from primary through secondary. Port Vila International School has an Early Education Centre, years One through Seven that follow the Queensland curriculum (and in 2006 into early secondary) - and there is a Distance Education Centre that works in conjunction with Australian schools. Central Primary and Peter Pan are very good schools that run on little resources. Education is an important part of Vanuatu’s continued development and aid from various countries and the European Union has assisted greatly in providing facilities. There is a harsh ruling for ni-Vanuatu students, however, where they must pass all exams to continue in school, beginning with an exam at the end of primary - so, there are many students who leave school with little education. Those who pass are allocated schools according to their marks, which means that children may be sent to boarding schools on various islands.

SEA FLIGHTS

Wayne and Carlene Allport arrived from New Zealand in early 2007 and proceeded through Customs with a seaplane to declare. The plane is available for scenic flights around the main island of Efate, for romantic private beach picnics on Moso Island (where Survivor was filmed), for 'Flights of Fire' (to the volcano). There’s a lot to see from the air and a lot of water to land on. Phone 42 619 or visit www.vanuatuseaplanes.com.

SCUBA DIVING

(see Diving)

SEA SNAKES

Yes, you’ll see them in the lagoon and you really shouldn’t touch them. The usual story is that their mouths are so tiny they could only open wide enough to bite the webbing between a baby’s fingers. Not having a baby to test this theory, we’re not willing to offer our own webbing to prove/disprove this.

SHARKS

Yes, there are sharks. There was the tragic taking of a 7-year-old New Zealand girl in June 2005 off the island of Malekula. However, sharks are not that common, especially around the main island of Efate. If a shark is spotted in Port Vila Harbour there will be a momentary break to swimming activities while the shark is monitored and, after a few days, all returns to normal.

SHIPPING

An important industry to Vanuatu, almost every business relies in one way or another on shipping goods into the country. This explains the containers dotted all around town.

SHOPPING

The shopping strip is situated on the main road, Lini Highway, down town. There are actually two ‘main roads’ both one way in opposite directions. Vila has a number of duty free stores, souvenir outlets, several supermarkets and a lot of Chinese stores filled with really interesting stuff.

SIESTA

There is a two-hour lunch break in Vanuatu for office workers, from eleven thirty to one thirty. Some shops will close over this time but the supermarkets and some smaller stores remain open. However we recommend, you embrace this custom with gusto. It’s amazing the difference a ten-minute nap in the middle of the day will make. It’s also great for your sex life (this is according to Jenny and any further elaboration would surely be too much information).

SNAILS

A few restaurants serve snails that are farmed for eating (l’Houstalet always has them on the menu). There are some nasty African snails on the island, though. These are large with very attractive shells but should not be picked up as their slime is very toxic.

SNAKES

The snakes in Vanuatu are not poisonous and there are two types - small burrowing snakes and larger boas (pythons). Most ni-Vanuatu people are scared of snakes. On Santo, Erromango and Ambae custom says that the souls of ancestors live in snakes. On Tanna, custom says that evil is embodied in the snake. While they aren’t poisonous, they can give you a nasty nip if they’re angry so still best to look and not touch unless you are offered a docile, well-fed one in the botanical gardens. And how do they feed these? By running an advertisement in the ‘world news’ section of the local paper - we payem 200vt long wan rat! There are also a few sea snakes as mentioned above.

SNORKELLING

Snorkelling in Vanuatu is brilliant and so accessible. There is fantastic snorkelling to be had all around Vila. Some of the easiest spots are Hideaway Island and behind Iririki Island as well as with organised cruises like Meridien Charters and Neptune. There is an abundance of coral reefs and tropical fish to be seen just below the surface of the water. A disposable underwater camera can be an excellent investment. You can pick them up duty free on departure and they cost around $AUD22 for 27 exposures.

SMOKING

Vanuatu is yet to catch up to First World attitude to smoking. While it is banned in shops, banks and food outlets etc, there are no non-smoking areas in restaurants or bars. Locals often buy a single cigarette, called ‘a fruit’. And bislama for a cigarette lighter is ‘gas matches’.

SMUGGLERS

Ummm... closed. Permanently?

SOAP

Yes, we have soap, some local, some imported. The local coconut soap smells nice and has an amazing lather (even lathers in sea water). An inexpensive ‘thought’ gift to take back home perhaps?

SOUVENIRS

Souvenir shops are scattered all around town including the market place where you can often meet the person who made your souvenir. One of the more novel souvenir shops is Vila Hand Prints just across the road from the new Bon Marche at number two. Here you can purchase original and amusing t-shirts. Be careful of buying any souvenirs with seeds (necklaces etc) as they won’t be allowed through Customs back home (likewise coconuts or anything with rough bark). Coral is also a no-no. Woven bags, tam-tams and shells are all okay, as are wooden carvings as long as there are no borer holes.

SPIDERS

Spiders in Vanuatu are really big with webs as thick as ropes but they’re harmless (the spiders, as well as the webs). In fact, if you’d gone on the Ekasup tour you’d know they were traditionally used to help men catch fish. The web the large spiders weave is golden. Men would get a stick with a fork in it and catch some of this golden web in the fork then wave it over the top of the water. The fish would be attracted by the golden light thinking it was a bug and come up to the surface where they were caught and promptly became the evening meal.

SPORT & RECREATION

While it’s hot and humid in Vanuatu, there’s still a large variety of sport played - there is a centre with a gymnasium, squash courts and tennis courts at Cercle Sportif (phone 22 437). There are also courts at Le Meridien, Le Lagon and opposite the Melanesian. Visitors might like to join aerobics, yoga or kickboxing classes.

For equestrians there’s horse riding and polocrosse (Club Hippique and l’Hippocampus Sea Horse Ranch). Golf is big with locals and guests are welcomed.

There are four golf courses in Port Vila (2 resort and 2 18-hole courses). The best course is at Mele. There’s also soccer, netball, rugby, cycling and triathlons. There's a great variety of watersports with excellent reef and wreck diving. There's excellent big game and reef fishing. The annual picnic horse race day is a must (Kiwani charity event in July with Race Ball on Thursday, Calcutta on Friday, Races on Saturday). There’s also competitive cricket and petanque.

There are regular Amateur Theatrical Society productions, which can be great fun and surprisingly good. 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 supermarkets and local papers for up-coming events.

STARFISH

Erakor Lagoon is full of large, beautiful and harmless starfish. They aren’t that fragile, so if they are in the way when swimming, just Frisbee them to one side (making sure they are still pretty side up!)

STATUE OF PARLIAMENT

In front of parliament house there is a statue of a man, woman and child. On the back is a plaque that says much about the local attitude to the role of women…

Logo: "United In Peace We Progress"

Introduction: From the past to the present the strength of a nation has been, still is and always will be, the unity of its people.If people are to be united, then family unity must prevail. If the laws, principles, and customs of a nation assist the families to be united peacefully the country can only progress.

Meaning Of The Statue:

• The Husband: The Head of the family points and leads his family to the future with confidence. He’s holding his wife with his left hand as a sign of love, care and unity. He is strong and healthy as a nation should be. He is Melanesian of origin as Vanuatu is. The man represents the Government.
• The Wife: She is beautiful, clean and decently dressed including her children whom are also well dressed and healthy. This means that she cares and feeds her family with the correct nutrition and looks after their health. She is the pride of her husband. She listens humbly to her husband’s plans of the future and her face shows confidence and willingness to be subject to her husband and to cooperate with him. She is of mixed cast and she represents all the people and communities in Vanuatu united together.
• The Son: 10 to 12 years of age. He is confidently in front of his parents looking towards the future that his father is pointing to. That means the boy is not shy and is prepared to challenge the future with confidence. He holds a book on his chest, which shows that he cherishes education as the road to progress. The boy represents the individual Ni-Vanuatu in society, healthy and educated, confidently looking and working towards a better future.
• The Daughter: A three to four-year-old girl in the arms of her mother. She is confident, healthy and loving. She represents the individual Ni-Vanuatu’s feeling in a display of Peace and Security.
• The Family as a Whole: Everyone has their body covered decently, which indicates a moral obligation in modern society. Clothing is also an indication of the nation’s progressing wealth. The family is united in Peace and Security thus the logo “United In Peace We Progress”.

SUN PROTECTION

The tropical sun (especially in Summer) can sneak up on people. It is powerful and there’s not much worse than a dose of severe sunburn to take the fun out of holiday. Wear a hat, sunglasses and slap on the sunscreen and keep hydrated with plenty of water. Even after doing this, most visitors will still go home with a tan if the weather is fine. In case of sunburn, women will find moisteriser soothing and men may like to try Viagra - it can keep the sheets off them.

SUNSET BUNGALOWS

Opened in 2004, Sunset Bungalows is a boutique ‘adults only’ property overlooking No 2 Lagoon on the way to Tamanu on the Beach. There are ten bungalows, eight Lagoon Studio Units and one Honeymoon Spa Bungalow – all have a Balinese feel in the furnishings and there’s a nice pool and restaurant. The new owners/managers are a terrific young Kiwi couple. Guests will get to know them as well as the friendly staff. Email here for details on that one!

SUNSET DINNERS

There are over 20 restaurants in and around Port Vila and you can use the below phone number to arrange drop offs and pick-ups or just hop a local bus. There are a couple of special places for a romantic sunset dinner - Tilly’s is one of Vila’s best restaurant and a table for two with your own waiter can be set at the end of the jetty over the harbour. Sunset Bungalows has a great lagoon setting and your own area next to the water can be arranged here. And for a leisurely lunch you can’t go past Tamanu on the Beach… well, you can go past Tamanu but you’ll arrive at White Sands Country Club, which is currently being redeveloped. Tamanu is 20 minutes from town and transfers can be arranged. Email info@GoVanuatu.com or phone Harry Atisson on47197.

SUPERMARKETS

The Port Vila supermarkets and chemists stock everything you would find at home, but they will be slightly more expensive due to freight costs. Some things are a lot more expensive so it’s advisable to pack things like sun block and toiletries. Here’s a price guide to some items (work on AUD$1 = 80 vatu):

• Apples: 395 vatu kg
• Baby Powder: 350 vatu 400g
• Bananas: 180 vatu (cheaper at the markets)
• Beer: 190 vatu local, 240 (Victoria Bitter)
• Biscuits: Tim Tams 250vt, Shapes 120vt, Clix 235vt
• Bottled Water: 150 vatu 1.5lt (Vila water is safe to drink)
• Bread: 200 vatu (white sliced)
• Bread Rolls: 20 vatu upwards depending on size of roll
• Breakfast Cereal: 250 to 700 vatu (170g Rice Bubbles 260 vatu)
• Butter: 230 vatu 500g
• Cheese: 350 vatu Coon Tasty 250g or pack of 12 Singles)
• Chicken: 650 vatu Ingham frozen No 10 (local better value)
• Chips (Crisps): 60 - 80 vatu
• Cigarettes: 600 vatu Winfield
• Coffee: 470 vatu Nescafe 100g
• Deodorant: 280 vatu Cool Charm, 360 vatu Spray Fresh (150g)
• Dettol: 355 vatu 250ml
• Eggs: 325 vatu for 10 eggs - A Vanuatu dozen?
• Juice: 365 vatu 2lt (Orchy)
• Laundry Detergent: 595 vatu 1kg (Drive)
• Lettuce: 250 vatu
• Milk: 195 vatu (1lt Long Life)
• Nappies: 1000 vatu (pack of 14)
• Newspapers: 100 vatu local paper (international papers in Stop Press)
• Oranges: 260 vatu kg
• Panadol: 230 vatu (pack of 24)
• Shampoo: 550 vatu (Sunsilk 350ml)
• Soft Drink: 100 - 130 vatu
• Sugar: 100 vatu 1kg
• Tampons: 510 vatu Stayfree (18), 850 vatu Tampax (20)
• Tea: 550 vatu Lipton 100 teabags
• Tomato Sauce: 145 vatu 300ml Heinz Big Red
• Toothpaste: 295 vatu Colgate 90g
• Vegemite: 210 vatu 115g
• Wine: 1000 vatu for cheap range (Queen Adelaide/Azure Bay) to 1800 vatu (Coopers Creek, Moondah Brook Verdelho, Wolf Blass range)

SURFING

There are good waves to be found around Port Vila (Pango Point) but they are off reefs and should only be taken on by competent riders - novices could end up with some nasty coral cuts. There are no surf lessons for the newcomers and ‘oldcomers’ should bring their own boards. Kite boarding can be excellent off Breaka’s and in Mele Bay.

SURVIVOR

Survivor fever hit Vanuatu in 2004, in particular Port Vila. Nobody is sure if having the TV show set there resulted in a lot of tourists flocking to Vanuatu but it certainly raised awareness and put a lot of money and employment into the place when it was filming. If you take a Coongoola Cruise or a Lelepa Island Day Tour you will see where the series was shot and probably get some insider gossip from the locals. In 2006 the French version of the same show was filmed in Vanuatu.

SWIMMING

There are places to swim and snorkel all around the island - in rivers, lagoons, the harbour and beaches. While swimming is safe, there are no lifeguards patrolling beaches. If you have small children, best to keep the ‘floaties’ on until they are confident. Also worthwhile to pack reef shoes to avoid coral cuts and urchins. (See triathlons for more about competitive swimming)

SWITI

The ice cream for people who like lap-lap… (only kidding!!!) Switi ice-cream is the best ice cream in the South Pacific and possibly the world, particularly the chocolate. It’s made on the island out by the dairy and is a must. It’s now exported to New Caledonia and Fiji.