fun ashore 2012-13 south pacific Sailing SeasoN
FUN ASHORE Getting There With Carnival Cruise Lines
Jennifer Hawkins NO PLACE
LIKE HER HOME
2012-13 SOUTH PACIFIC Sailing Se ason
THE PORTS ARE CALLING
Here’s Your BIG Adventure starting on page
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SPOTLIGHT: FIJI
Crossroads Of The Pacific
AUSSIE SPIRIT
The Next Great Cruising Experience
MAKING A SPLASH
Are You Ready For Green Thunder?
PLEASE READ, ENJOY AND LEAVE IN STATEROOM AT CRUISE’S END
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CONTENTS 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3 S O U T H PA C I F I C S A I L I N G S E A S O N
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A taste of Tassie
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WELCOME ABOARD! A message from Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines
GETTING INTO THE CARNIVAL SPIRIT How Carnival “Aussified” one of its pioneering ships, to create a brand-new cruising experience BY JOANNA HALL
CRUISE INSIDER ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW A Carnival Spirit veteran tells how to make the most of your time on this special ship by Brian Crisp
MAKING A SPLASH The Fastest Waterslide at Sea Have a go at Green Thunder, a real wonder for Down Under by Brian Crisp
FAME FIX: JENNIFER HAWKINS No Place Like Home Miss Universe, model, TV host. Globetrotting celebrity Jennifer Hawkins on why we should add “homebody” to the list. by Patricia Godfrey
SPOTLIGHT ON FIJI Crossroads of the Pacific Looking back at Fiji’s history, telling island tales — and what’s all this about people walking through fire? by Karen Tina Harrison
DESTINATIONS Quick guides to the ports of call, including the top shore excursions 30 M ap of Australia and the South Pacific 32 Australia 36 New Zealand 42 Pacific Islands 44 Fiji 46 New Caledonia 50 Vanuatu
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EDITORIAL AND DESIGN Kate McClare Executive Editor LINDA BROCkMAN senior Editor Rebecca Wallwork project associate EDITOR Brigid Cotter Media Coordinator HALEY STRUTHERS ASSOCIATE MEDIA COORDINATOR KHALILA DOUZE editorial iNTERN ANDREA VILLALBA editorial iNTERN — GAIL ABRAMS PUBLISHING DIRECTOR DAYANA RAMIREZ Project graphic designer GEORGE SARIEGO Project graphic designer elizabeth Carlisle Art director beth wood art director ruben carballo Graphic designer Violeta Manco-Rojas Ad services coordinator Contributing writers MIKE BINGHAM, BRIAN CRISP, RODERICK EIME, PATRICIA GODFREY, JOANNA HALL, FIONA HARPER, KAREN TINA HARRISON, KIRSTEN MATTHEW, KARLEIGH SMITH cover photography by associated press PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION JUAN ITURRIZA PRODUCTION MANAGER james perdomo production coordinator ROBERT MARENCO SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS MANAGEr melissa rodriguez Project Manager advertising Sales cathy glover International Sales director Jeffrey Meister Sales Manager ADAM DAVY Sales Manager KATHERINE TERC Sales coordinator cristina viera sales coordinator Video/film production Todd Hedge director shannon chamberlain produCTION MANAGER kevin maschke senior editor JUAN CARLOS PEÑA SENIOR VIDEOGRAPHER Port Shopping Kyle Ronellenfitch Director of Cruise Revenue WESLEY EMMER regional marketing manager Victoria Rossi regional marketing manager Rachel castro OPERATIONS DIRECTOR MARINA CASTILLO ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER rina alvarado operations coordinator nadine winter customer relations manager Arelys zaldivar customer relations assistant manager
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printed in AUSTRALIA.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Welcome aboard! On behalf of all our shipboard and shoreside employees, thank you for choosing Carnival Cruise Lines for your vacation. Whether this is your first cruise with Carnival or you have sailed with us before, our dedicated team will strive to make sure you have a fun, relaxing and memorable vacation.
Guest satisfaction is our No. 1 priority, and we at Carnival are committed to providing you with an unforgettable vacation.
Guest satisfaction is our No. 1 priority, and we at Carnival are committed to providing you with an unforgettable vacation. From a wide range of dining options and diverse entertainment choices to friendly and attentive service and fun-filled activities for guests of all ages, a Carnival cruise is the best vacation value, on land or at sea. We hope that you enjoy this issue of Fun Ashore, which features informative and entertaining articles written by talented writers, with images by the best photographers in the business. Fun Ashore offers a wealth of information about the many fantastic features aboard our ships, as well as the exciting and beautiful destinations we visit. We hope this publication will serve as a valuable resource for getting the most out of your “Fun Ship� cruise. Wishing you a great vacation. Bon voyage!
Gerry Cahill President and CEO Carnival Cruise LInes
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9/7/12 9:33 AM
AUSSIE SPIRIT | C r u i s i n g , A u s t r a l i a n S t y l e
CRUISING, AUSTRALIAN STYLE
GETTING INTO THE by Joanna Hall
How Carnival “Aussified” one of its pioneering ships, to create a brand-new cruising experience
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AUSSIE SPIRIT | C r u i s i n g , A u s t r a l i a n S t y l e
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AUSSIE SPIRIT | C r u i s i n g , A u s t r a l i a n S t y l e
HERE AND OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT: The ship’s larger staterooms are a natural fit for families; high stakes on the high seas; cruisers are spoiled for choice when it comes to dining; wet, wild fun for kids at WaterWorks.
Staterooms: Get Comfortable C
staterooms allow adults to do their own thing, such as having
Eighty percent of her staterooms offer ocean views, and more
dinner on their balcony while the kids sleep, which would be
than 600 of those have private balconies — making her a natural
impossible if they were all in a stateroom together.”
choice for cruising through magnificently scenic Australia and the South Pacific. Accommodation choices range from interior
Aussie Tucker
staterooms to spacious suites, all of which have been refreshed
Dining choices more familiar to Australian tastes were a large part
with a bold décor featuring warm wood and orange and red
of
tones, and with new amenities including flat-screen televisions.
done is change words on the menus,” says Vandekreeke. “For
One of the most significant changes, however, is the addition
example, ‘entrées’ became ‘mains’ and ‘shrimp’ became ‘prawns’.”
of more interconnecting staterooms, something uncommon in
“Two of our executive chefs have lived in Australia, so they’ve
the Australian market. “Australians tend to have larger families
added more local foods such as barramundi, lamb dishes and
than Americans, so we increased the number of interconnecting
more fresh fruits and vegetables,” she explains. “They’ve swapped
rooms to eighty-four,” says Vandekreeke. “This way, families, or
American bacon for Aussie bacon. Also, as Australians are more
groups of up to six people, can stay close together without
used to eating international foods than Americans, Asian dishes
having to compromise on space.”
including Indian have been increased in both the buffet and the
In all, the ship has 42 different combinations of interconnecting
6
’s makeover. “One really important thing we’ve
main dining room.”
staterooms, from balcony staterooms connected to interiors,
Caffeine-lovers won’t be disappointed either. “The coffee
to balcony staterooms connected to suites. Vandekreeke,
machines have been replaced and our baristas are Australian-
a mother of six-year-old twins herself, says they are ideally
trained,” says Vandekreeke. “So we’re serving flat whites just the
suited to families with younger kids.
way Aussies like them.”
“Parents will really appreciate being able to put their kids to
The ship’s three existing dining venues will largely remain the
bed but have them close by,” she explains. “The interconnecting
same. The primary restaurant, the Empire Dining Room, combines
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PHOTOS BY Carnival cruise lines
AUSSIE SPIRIT | C r u i s i n g , A u s t r a l i a n S t y l e
an elaborate Napoleonic décor with a choice of traditional and flexible dining, and La Playa Grille is the casual, open-seating buffetstyle venue with 10 stations offering different styles of cuisine. The by-reservation-only specialty locale is Nouveau Restaurant, tucked away above La Playa Grille. Guests pay a cover charge for this fine-dining experience serving beef and seafood, accompanied by a handpicked wine list. New to the dining lineup, however, is The Taste Bar, a sociable way to sample various delicacies throughout the voyage. This is the place to meet with friends before dinner, and to sample drinks and appetisers from different specialty restaurants across the Carnival fleet. The place that is sure to provide the most remarkable dining experience is The Chef’s Table, an indulgent culinary encounter hosted by the ship’s head chef. For a fee, an exclusive group of 12 guests is treated to a galley tour with food tastings and a glass of bubbly, plus a bespoke degustation dinner with specially paired wines. Also new is Fat Jimmy's C-Side BBQ, an al fresco venue on Deck 10 between Nouveau Restaurant and the sliding sky dome. Replicating a traditional backyard beach barbecue, this is the place to get an authentic Aussie sausage “sanger”, made with simple white bread and topped with tomato sauce.
A Good (Make That a Great) Soaking
One of the most exciting new features of Carnival Spirit is the WaterWorks attraction on the ship’s top deck. Located right in the middle of the water park’s SplashZone is the PowerDrencher, a giant bucket that fills up with water and tips over, soaking everyone beneath. WaterWorks also has two amazing waterslides: the Twister and Green Thunder, a Carnival Spirit exclusive that’s grabbing the spotlight for good reason. [Read about the Green Thunder experience in “Making a Splash”.]
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AUSSIE SPIRIT | C r u i s i n g , A u s t r a l i a n S t y l e
Show Time
PHOTOS BY Carnival cruise lines
C
H
appy Little Vegemites For families who like to be on the go,
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AUSSIE SPIRIT | C r u i s i n g , A u s t r a l i a n S t y l e
The best holiday plan: just lounging about
Ah, the Serenity Although Carnival is a world leader in family cruising, isn’t ideal just for mum, dad and the kids. There’s plenty to attract singles, younger couples and empty nesters, with the
have some grown-up time without their kids.” And the ship has plenty for the kids to do on their own — all the easier for mum and dad to truly relax at Serenity.
choice of going from “zen to adrenaline” at the flip of a switch. One of the many reasons Carnival chose to send a Spiritclass ship to Australia is her spacious open decks, and the
Time to Sweat I
new adults-only Serenity, occupying the former Fantail pool area aft on Deck Nine, is a major drawcard at the zen end of the scale. A spacious, stylish retreat for the over-18s, Serenity beckons with a cocktail bar, a heated spa and a small plunge pool. It’s a place for grown-ups to enjoy some quiet combined with the great outdoors — relaxing in a hammock, catching some rays on a sun bed, or cozying up in a two-person cabana or on a comfy lounge. Unlike facilities onboard many of its competitors, Serenity is free to use. “Australians love to be outside, whether it’s cold or hot," says Vandekreeke. “Although we have spaces everyone can enjoy, Serenity is the place where couples can hang out and do their thing without being around kids. Quite often, parents want to
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CRUISE INSIDER | C a r n i v a l S p i r i t
CRUISE INSIDER by Brian Crisp
Even if you’ve cruised before, there’s nothing -style. Brian Crisp, quite like cruising national travel editor for News Limited, shares his pointers on making the most of your precious time onboard this special ship.
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CRUISE INSIDER | C a r n i v a l S p i r i t
PHOTOS BY Carnival cruise lines
SHOWN HERE AND RIGHT: Carnival Spirit sails Down Under; splashing in one of the pools; relaxing at the spa sauna.
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CRUISE INSIDER | C a r n i v a l S p i r i t
So How’s the Food? You won’t have to make too many decisions about the food
worry about, starting with good coffee. New machines and trained
on
baristas are ready to serve up perfect lattes, cappuccinos, flat
. First, it is all good. Secondly, the variety
whites and espressos. So definitely build in time for a good
on offer caters to many tastes. In the Empire Dining Room, you can choose to dine at the
cuppa and a chat with some new friends at the café.
same time each night and have an assigned table throughout your cruise; or you might opt for Your Time Dining, which
Fit to Cruise
allows you to come and go when it suits you. If you prefer to
Knowing that Australians also like to keep fit and healthy, Carnival
dine in your stateroom, that too can be arranged.
has added new fitness equipment in the fitness centre and
If you are a meat lover, you cannot miss dining at Nouveau
designed a menu of classes that includes pilates, yoga and
Restaurant. You do have to pay extra, but it is a great value
cycling — I hope you brought your joggers! Personal trainers are
considering the quality — and size — of the meat as well as
on hand if you think you have over-indulged at the buffet and
the variety of gourmet appetisers, salads and desserts. You can
need some special training attention.
drinks lists have been given a distinct Aussie flavour. If decadent desserts are more to your taste buds’ delight,
Kid Stuff ’s
Mums and dads can get peace of mind from
don’t miss the warm chocolate melting cake — it is Carnival
child-friendly areas, which cater to ages 2-17 and are overseen
Cruise Lines’ signature dish, available nightly in the Empire Dining
by Carnival’s Youth Staff. The littlest cruisers can have a ball at
Room. Taste one spoonful and you’ll know why it’s so in demand.
Pirate Parties, face-painting sessions and more, while the fun
No ship sailing out of Sydney Harbour would be complete without an outdoor Aussie barbecue area, and on it’s Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ, on the top deck. While this ship may have an American heritage, it certainly
includes dance parties for the older kids. If you plan on having a special night out, Carnival’s Night Owls program can help: The child-minding service is available until 3 a.m. (fees vary).
doesn’t get more Australian than sitting back on a sun lounge, ice-cold beer in one hand and sausage sandwich in the other,
One Last To-Do: Nothing
enjoying the views as you sail through Sydney Heads. There may
As you can see, this ship has lots of ways to have a great time onboard.
be no better way to celebrate the start of your holiday.
But these aren’t the only way to do it. You could simply grab a book,
Having been onboard
before she came down
under, I can tell you that there are a few things you need not
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find a comfy chair on deck and relax. Either way, you’ll come out the winner. It’s hard not to when you are on holidays with
.
PHOTOS BY Carnival cruise lines EXCEPT DESSERT (margouillat photo/shutterstock.com)
even wash it down with an Australian red wine, as the onboard
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PHOTOS BY Carnival cruise lines EXCEPT DESSERT (margouillat photo/shutterstock.com)
CRUISE INSIDER | C a r n i v a l S p i r i t
SHOWN HERE: Basketball on the Sports Deck. OPPOSITE: Chocoholics will love Carnival’s signature dessert; kids have a ball at Circle “C”.
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MAKING A SPLASH | Gre e n T h u n d e r
The Green Thunder waterslide is fast, steep — and possibly addictive.
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MAKING A SPLASH | Green Thunder
MAKING A SPLASH by Brian Crisp
Have a go at Green Thunder, a real wonder for Down Under
It is the steepest and fastest waterslide ride at sea: 55 metres of twisting, turning fun that begins when the floor disappears and you plummet straight down a 90-degree drop. It lasts just over 6.5 seconds. But the thrill of Green Thunder leaves your body tingling for much, much longer.
Carnival Spirit ’s Green Thunder waterslide was built specifically
sitting near Sydney Harbour Bridge, you could reach out and touch the famous span.
for the adventure-seeking Australian market, and got its name
Once you climb inside the Green Thunder capsule and the
through a competition on Carnival Australia’s Facebook page.
doors are locked, you stop thinking about the view and simply
More than 1,660 people entered; the winning name came from
concentrate on stopping your knees from shaking so much.
Elke Faulwetter, a Tasmanian mum. “I chose my name for the slide because of the colour and the
Then the floor drops from beneath you, the ride begins, and you are travelling at 65 km/h — and struggling to keep your cool.
fact that you’d certainly thunder down it,” says Faulwetter. “I’m a bit of a thrill-seeker, and love waterslides, crazy rides, even skydiving.
Wild for the Water
When I first saw the picture of this one, I said to my partner, ‘I so
Green Thunder isn’t the only way to get wet on Carnival Spirit ’s
want to experience that slide — it would be the ultimate thrill’.”
new WaterWorks area, where there’s no such thing as too much
Faulwetter was at the slide's inauguration in Hawaii. Here’s what she said after her first ride: “Climbing those stairs to the top, your heart starts racing and when you’re waiting inside the enclosed capsule the anticipation is mind-blowing and then... boom! You’re gone. As fast as lightning,
PHOTOS BY Carnival cruise lines
you are hurtling down the slide and just as suddenly you’re at the bottom and it's over. Wow. Awesome. I have to do that again.” And do it again she did. Several times.
fun — or too much water. While Green Thunder is the main attraction for big kids — and adults who still really are kids at heart — the PowerDrencher is sure to bring squeals of delight from the little ones. It’s a huge yellow bucket that slowly fills with water. Once filled, it then dumps water on unsuspecting people below. That’s not the extent of the water-soaked fun onboard, either. With an additional two mini racing slides and a spiral Twister waterslide guaranteed to keep the kids busy on sea days,
Thundering Thrills
WaterWorks means unmatched family fun in the sun. There's
The view from the top deck of Carnival Spirit is always spectacular,
nothing like it at sea in Australia.
but climb the stairs to Green Thunder and, believe it or not, it is even better. At this point, you are so high that if the ship were
Now, are you ready for Green Thunder?
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fame fix | J e n n i ffe r H aw ki n s
Jennifer Hawkins combines glamour with girl-next-door charm. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: Her winning turn at Miss Universe; a happy time with two children at Cyril Ross Nursery, a home for children living with HIV/ AIDS; pretty in pink. 16
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fame fix | J e n n i f e r H a w k i n s
Jennifer Hawkins
NO PLACe LIKE HOME by Patricia Godfrey
Miss Universe, model, TV host. Globetrotting celebrity Jennifer Hawkins on why we should add “homebody” to the list. Whatever your view of beauty pageants, there’s no doubt that winning Miss Universe dramatically changed Jennifer Hawkins’ life. In 2004, Hawkins was a part-time model and footy cheerleader who only earned just enough to cover her rent. Then, she flew to Ecuador to compete in Donald Trump’s 2004 Miss Universe competition and, against the odds, won. Suddenly, she was a household name. The girl who had never left Australia before that trip found herself based in a ritzy New York City apartment for a year. Of course, that could have been the high point, with Hawkins quietly fading back into obscurity when her 12-month reign was over. But she had other ideas. And whether it’s down to good management, an innate business sense or just sheer good luck, “Hawko”, as she was swiftly nicknamed by the Aussie press, has managed to turn that 15 minutes of fame into a multimillion-dollar career with an enviable lifestyle to match. “It’s not a normal life,” Hawkins says now. “I know I’m pretty lucky to be in this position.” “This position” is a polite term for a burgeoning Jennifer Hawkins empire. As well as holding a lucrative department-store modelling contract (thought to be worth in the region of $1 million a year), Hawkins is also the face of products from lingerie and sleepwear to skincare and bottled water. She has her own swimwear range and shoe line, and has been a popular TV presenter on travel shows The Great Outdoors on Channel Seven and The Nine Network’s Getaway — gigs that involved reporting from around ALL Photos by ASSOCIATED PRESS
the world and visiting exotic wonders closer to home, like the South Pacific islands. “New York was amazing but I really wanted to come back to Australia and build a career,” says Hawkins, who grew to relish the travel her job now entails. “When I did [assignments for] the TV travel shows, I loved it. And I like to tack holidays on to the end of overseas work assignments.” Case in point: When Hawkins visited South Africa to shoot an ad campaign, she followed it up with time spent touring the Kruger National Park with fiancé Jake Wall.
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fame fix | J e n n i f e r H a w k i n s
“In a lot of my work, other people
are making the decisions on how you look . . . . Whereas this comes from me.” — Hawkins on her fashion designs
Hawko strikes a pose. Despite her success, she´s a down-to-earth girl who´s most likely to holiday on a beach — and live by one of the best in Australia, Curl Curl (opposite).
Holidays, Hawko-Style Hawkins is the first to admit that her jet-setting is a long way from
long-distance relationship — she in New York, he in Newcastle
the holidays she enjoyed as a kid. These days, she travels first
— they eventually moved in together in 2009. “It’s awesome,” she
class — “If you work really hard, why would you [fly economy]?” she
told Sunday magazine. “I love it. I wish I had done it sooner, to be
reasons. The youngest of four kids, Hawkins grew up in Holmesville,
honest, because it makes everything so much better. He’s sexy,
just outside Newcastle, and went on annual camping holidays with
lovely and kind.”
her family from the age of six months. Perhaps not surprisingly, it’s been awhile since her last camping trip. “I think you get used to a certain lifestyle,” she explains, “and
they were on holiday at New Zealand’s Lake Wakatipu, and Hawkins now sports a $200,000 brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring.
now if I go on holiday, I want to go somewhere nice. I still like to go
“He gave me this box but it was a large box so I thought it was
on holidays with my family because it keeps me grounded, but
a necklace or something,” Hawkins told New Idea. “But then I
now we are more likely to go to a beach house.
opened it and he said, ‘I want to marry you. I want to be with you
“A couple of years ago, we hired this place in [NSW’s] Pearl
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Wall proposed on Hawkins’s 27th birthday in December 2010, while
for the rest of my life’. And I giggled. When I get nervous, I giggle.”
Beach right on the water and it was amazing,” she continues. “It
Any wedding planning Hawkins has done since has had to find
was so good for my nieces and nephews. They could just run
room on her busy plate of modelling and business commitments.
straight into the surf and they had such a good time. I thought,
The model, who cites model mogul Heidi Klum as her main
‘We should do this every year'.”
inspiration, says she particularly enjoys working on her swimwear
Speaking of children, Hawkins hopes it isn’t too long before she
range because she relishes having something to get her creative
has some of her own. “It’s nice to feel that maternal instinct kicking
juices flowing, something beyond just being a face in front of a
in,” she enthuses. “I see my nieces and nephews and they are so
camera.
beautiful. So, yes, I definitely want to have kids. I have one older
“It’s been a dream to have this creative outlet,” she explains. “I
sister and two older brothers and we had a great childhood. I’d
wanted to have something like this so I didn’t go crazy. Because
love to have a big family, too.”
in a lot of my work, other people are making the decisions on how
Hawkins met Wall, a carpenter who flirted with his own brief
you look; you are moulded into what they want for their brand.
modelling and TV career before returning to his tradie roots, a
Whereas this comes from me. I’m trying to design swimwear for
month before she won the Miss Universe title. After their initial
women and what they really want.”
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OPPOSITE photo by © Simon Lekias/Corbis Outline, this page top; Ben Heys/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; bottom SUSan wright/destination nsw
fame fix | J e n n i f e r H a w k i n s
Jen from the Block But business is not all about bikinis. Beyond her day job, Hawkins has a burgeoning property portfolio — she sold her townhouse
Been There, Done That
Just some of the countries you’ll find stamped in Jen’s passport:
in Sydney’s Coogee for $2.22 million and is building a lavish mansion with Wall on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Despite her increasing wealth (she earned a hefty $5 million in 2010, according to BRW magazine’s “Entertainers Rich List” from that year) and a penchant for clothes by Gucci and Louis Vuitton, Hawkins is still, in some ways, the laidback chick from Newcastle that she always was. She’s happiest when she’s chilling out with Wall on her sofa in her PJs, and tries to get home to see her family at least once a month. As much as she loves travelling to exotic destinations for her job and for fun, at the end of the day, says Hawkins, there’s no place like home. “Australia is where I grew up,” she says, firmly. “I love the lifestyle and my family and friends here. I really do enjoy my work, but to be happy you have to be near people that love you. I can’t be by myself very much.”
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SPOTLIGHT on FIJI | H i s t o r y
fiji: crossroads of the Pacific by Karen Tina Harrison Adventure-seekers know Fiji as one of the most dramatic and romantic places on earth. Its 300-plus islands are strewn over 18,000 square kilometres of the South Pacific. These remote and rugged outcroppings burst from the planet’s depths in volcanic upheavals eons ago, and many isles are still hotspots of geothermal activity. Primordial Fiji is still a work in progress,
PHOTO BY Pawel Papis/shutterstock.com
and its dramatic geography is matched with fiery history.
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SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT on | Hon isto FIJI ry
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SPOTLIGHT on FIJI | H i s t o r y
A Pacific Melting Pot Native Fijians tell a long, proud story. Their islands were first inhabited some 3,000 years ago by Austronesians, who paddled in long canoes from what today is Southeast Asia. These settlers first came to light in the late 1980s with discoveries of their intricately designed pottery. The pottery, and its makers, are called Lapita. In time, Melanesians from New Guinea and surrounding islands sailed to Fiji. Tensions and warfare ensued, and many Lapita people fled. They reached what is known today as Polynesia and later Hawaii, and evolved their own unique culture. Today’s brown-skinned native Fijians call themselves Taukei. A large minority of islanders are the descendants of South Indians brought to Fiji in the 1800s to work on plantations. Captains Cooked Here The great sailors left their mark on Fiji. Dutch East Indies Company explorer Abel Tasman sighted several islands in 1643 after circumnavigating Australia and discovering the island that would be named after him: Tasmania. The intrepid Captain James Cook passed through Fiji in 1774 and encountered many Fijians in neighboring Tonga. Fiji’s true name was Viti, but the Tongans pronounced it “Fisi” and Cook heard “Fiji”. He described Fijians as physically impressive and fierce in temperament, and marvelled at their massive wood canoes. A closer study of Fiji was made by the infamous Captain William Bligh. Marooned by the mutineers of H.M.S.
in
1789, Bligh explored Fiji on two long voyages and created the first nautical map of Fiji’s waters. Fiji’s Western era had begun.
the Fijians” laws protected local land ownership, forbidding sale to non-Fijians. It is still the law of the land, and most of
Why Fijians Speak English
Fiji is still in Fijian hands.
More Europeans trickled into the independent Fijian islands beginning in the 1820s. Amongst them were more than a few
A Rocky Colonial Era
crafty convicts who had escaped from the Australian penal
More controversial was the British decision to import indentured
colonies.
labourers from India, a practice that continued until 1916. Many Indo-Fijians make up about 45 percent of the population.
missionaries mixed with madams, brewers, sailors and whalers.
The late 1800s and 1900s were times of upheaval for Fiji.
An ambitious tribal chief crowned himself king of Fiji and
Indentured Indian labourers were finally liberated in 1916 under
promptly sank his new country into debt. Eventually, he
pressure from Mahatma Gandhi and Anglican clergy. Two years
accepted the British government’s bailout. But it came at a
later, the worldwide Spanish flu epidemics brought down 14
high price: Fiji became a British colony in 1874.
percent of Fiji’s population in 16 days. The deadly virus was
The British rule lasted almost a century, and put an end to the bloody warfare between rival chiefs. Progressive “Fiji for
22
workers remained in Fiji after earning their freedom, and today
brought to Fiji by a New Zealand cargo passenger ship called S.S.
, which was permitted to port despite carrying
PHOTO BY Limpopo/shutterstock.com
Many of these pioneers settled on the island of Ovalau in the port of Levuka. It was a rollicking pioneer town where
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SPOTLIGHT on FIJI | H i s t o r y
Fijian sunset after a storm
NO MORE TASTE FOR HUMAN Voyagers, be assured that cannibalism in Fiji — once known in Britain as the Cannibal Isles — died out over a century ago, when the Christian faith prevailed. While the concept and the word “tabu” originated in Fiji, eating one’s enemies was not tabu to Fijian chiefs. One of the last man-eaters, Chief Udre Udre, claimed in the 19th century to have consumed over 900 fallen warriors, whom he allegedly roasted in stone-lined pits. Today, similar in-ground firepits called lovo are used to cook other delicacies. Fish, cassava, corned beef called palusami. Nothing wearing a loincloth.
several sick crewmen. New Zealand’s government officially apologised in 2002. Fiji’s Flag Is a Union Jack Fiji has remained Anglo-oriented. In World War II, Fijians sided with the Allies, sending many young soldiers to fight alongside Kiwis and Aussies. The young Queen Elizabeth II visited Fiji to much fanfare a year into her reign, in 1953. Fiji remained a British colony until 1970. Since independence, Fijian politics have been tumultuous. Coups d’etat rocked Fiji in 1987, 2000 and 2006. But a passion for rugby, and pride in Fiji’s team, unites islanders. Tourism has grown steadily in Fiji, which welcomes cruise guests, cultural travellers, scuba divers and others to “the crossroads of the Pacific”. Visitors often hear the native greeting, an enthusiastic “
” — “Welcome!”
For a look at the island nation as it is today, see the Fiji section in the Ports Guide of this book.
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SPOTLIGHT on FIJI | L e g e n d a r y I s l a n d s
FIJI LEGENDS
The myths and magic that shaped the island nation To be Fijian means to live on Fiji time, where the past suffuses
How War Began
the present. Fiji’s ancient stories are not handed down in books
Fijians believe that their people came from the oceans to the
or a Bible. The Fijian language is an oral, not written, tongue, and
west in a canoe. This fearsome wooden craft, Kaunitoni, was
its stories are handed down generation to generation in dramatic
never again equalled in size and power. As Kaunitoni made its
storytelling and in song-and-dance dramas called meke.
way around the islands, its passengers argued about where to
Most Fijians are Christian today. But their legends of cruel, capricious, or generous gods still explain the ways of man and
settle. Different factions chose different bays, and so became rivals and enemies.
sea. After all, mythology tells us about ourselves. Britain, Where the Boys Went Centuries ago, the chief of the island of Ra sent his two grandsons
At the beginning, the all-powerful god Degei took the form of
into battle, and they vanquished an invading tribe. To speed their
a snake as big as a whale. His consort was a massive female
canoe home, the chief reversed the flow of the Wainibuka River.
hawk, Turukawa. Without warning, Turukawa flew off one day.
But the boys’ canoe never arrived. Of many explanations, one
But in her nest she left a pair of eggs. Degei, heartbroken,
became the accepted story. The boys had gone to far-off Britain,
nurtured them. The eggs hatched into a man and a woman,
island of the white-skinned sailors. The Fijians word for Britain,
and so the Fijian race was born.
Bolotogane, translates to “where the boys went”.
Ancient tales are an important part of Fijian culture.
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FIJIAN DANCER PHOTOS BY Selfiy/Shutterstock.com; FIJI temple by Anna Azimi; fire torches by RGB12/shutterstock.com
Adam and Eve, Fiji-Style
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SPOTLIGHT on FIJI | L e g e n d a r y I s l a n d s
photos by: APIMAGES
FIJIAN DANCER PHOTOS BY Selfiy/Shutterstock.com; FIJI temple by Anna Azimi; fire torches by RGB12/shutterstock.com
SHOWN HERE AND BELOW: Fijian dancers; torches; an island temple.
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SPOTLIGHT on FIJI | L e g e n d a r y I s l a n d s
The Ghosts of Romance Fijians believe in ghosts. The Parliament House in Suva was exorcised in 1997, after a security camera recorded the image of a ghost. Unmarried visitors to Fiji are cautioned against answering their doors late at night, for the knocking could be the seductive ghosts who bewitch and enslave the lovelorn. How to tell a Fijian ghost: When walking, his or her feet will not PHOTO BY Matsonashvili Mikhail/shutterstock.com
touch the ground. Your steward’s will. Blessed by a Shark Fijians accept that each island is protected by a reef guardian who fights off dangerous waves and enemy canoes. Kadavu’s guardian was a giant octopus who caught a mighty shark, Dakuwaqa, about to swim upriver into Kadavu. The octopus had Dakuwaqa begging for his life. He made Dakuwaqa swear that no shark would ever harm any person or sea creature of Kadavu. Dakuwaqa kept his word. In time he became the island’s guardian, and no shark has ever attacked in Kadavu’s
Sea turtles have a special status in Fiji.
waters. To this day, island fishermen make an offering of kava (see accompanying story) to Dakuwaqa before setting sail. their primeval heads high, listening to the chant. Villagers will The Turtle Women of Namuana
tell you that a long time ago, two virgins were stolen by enemy
Sea turtles are sacred in Namuana village on Kadavu island, not
islanders and spirited away by canoe. But these maidens did
far from Fiji’s capital of Suva. From high atop a rock promontory,
not become slaves. They were magically transformed into sea
Namuana’s unmarried women sing a mysterious chant handed
turtles, and swam away. The chant of their Namuana sisters
down from mother to daughter. The turtles cluster in the water,
and cousins calls them home.
KAVA, BOOZE OF THE GODS
Hats Off to Fiji
For some of us, it’s beer. For Fijians, kava floats the boat. Also called yaqona, kava is an intoxicating drink made from indigenous vines. It numbs the tongue, lifts the spirits, and enlivens dreams. The yaqona ceremony — communal drinking — is Fiji’s central, timehonoured ritual. If you’re invited to a yaqona ceremony, go. Expect to sit in a circle on a hand-woven mat. When the kava-filled bilo (coconut-shell cup) is passed to you, clap once and take a quaff. When the bilo comes your
Once bound by the protocols of warfare, modern Fijians observe a strict behavioural code. Visitors who comply are rewarded with the South Pacific’s warmest hospitality. Travellers can do their part by showing appreciation; food gifts are welcome in a Fijian bure (cottage); even more important is the avoidance of disrespect in Fijian villages.
way a second time, you won’t hesitate.
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Consider these gaffes tabu: Shorts on blokes; bare shoulders, torsos or thighs for women (you can carry a sulu, a Fijian sarong) A hat worn in villages and homes Shoes: Leave them at the door of a home Photographing a Fijian before asking permission Shouting or talking loudly (except during a match of rugby, a Fijian passion) Turning down a kava drink anytime, anywhere
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SPOTLIGHT on FIJI | F i e r y P a t h
Firewalking PHOTO BY Matsonashvili Mikhail/shutterstock.com
FIJI’S MYSTERIOUS RITUAL Fijians honour and preserve their rituals. Firewalking is one of their most mysterious traditions, its practitioners among the most secretive.
For centuries, the tribal ritual of firewalking was enacted on
and approach the pit single file. They are barefoot, clad only
joyous occasions or to ask the gods’ blessing. Nowadays, the
in loincloths and wearing garlands around their ankles.
ceremony is performed for visitors, but it is no less real.
The firewalkers tread into the fire pit, and walk around and around on the white-hot stones. Their feet do not burn or
The island of Beqa, south of Viti Levu and its port of Suva, is
blister; nor do the grass garlands. The firewalkers continue
a centre of this esoteric art. Here, many of the firewalkers are
until the high priest signals a stop, and then surround the pit. The pit is ritually raked and the stones smothered. The
from the Sawau tribe.
firewalkers’ ankle garlands are buried, dug up days later, and made into a true power drink for the firewalkers. The drink
Here is what we know.
is not intoxicating in the Western sense; its potent magic is Starting the Fire
purely symbolic.
The firewalkers — a dozen men, perhaps more, or less — go into a deep retreat for two weeks before the ceremony. While in
Explaining the Magic
seclusion, they may have no contact with women or eat coconut;
How can the firewalkers escape the heat of the fire? Explanations
firewalkers are warriors who must forego these pleasures to
are plentiful.
master the flames. No outsider knows what other mental or
Some say the firewalkers ingest massive amounts of hallucinogenic yaqona before the ceremony, to focus their
physical preparation goes on. During this time, the village men dig a pit of some five metres
minds on their tribe’s glory and not on the danger at their feet.
across and line it with large river stones, creating a huge fire
Others believe flat stones disburse heat onto feet without burning
pit. (The Fijian word for firewalking is vilavilairevo, or “jumping
them, and that a light-footed walk further inhibits burning. The
into the earth oven”.)
grass garlands probably don’t burn because they are green;
The day before the ceremony, a log fire is lit in the pit and burns all day atop the stones.
if you’ve ever tried to start a campfire with green wood, you’ll see no mystery here. But this being Fiji, there’s a legend to invoke.
Walking the Walk
Beqa firewalkers do not burn because it was promised thus.
The tribe’s high priest calls for the ceremony to begin. Village
Many generations ago, a warrior of Beqa, Tui, caught an eel while
men use long, hand-twisted vines to rake the charred logs
fishing for his dinner. This eel talked. It said it was a spirit god. It
”,
begged for its life, promising Tui power over fire. When Tui agreed,
the word for the vines, believed to confer the magic. Then the
the eel instructed him to prepare a fire pit. The warrior’s feet
men surround the fire pit and wait.
did not burn. Today’s Beqa firewalkers are descendants of Tui.
and embers off the white-hot stones. They chant “
The priest watches the stones and chooses the moment of the firewalkers’ entrance. They break from their hiding place
It’s as simple as that.
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Otago Peninsula, Pacific coast of New Zealand
32 Australia (Melbourne, Sydney)
28
34足 Tasmania
36 New Zealand
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Ports of C all STUNNING LANDSCAPES and top-notch food and wine in New
Zealand. French culture in New Caledonia. Firewalking in Fiji. The
PICHUGIN DMITRY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
beaches of Vanuatu. It’s all waiting for you — time to go out and get it.
44 Fiji
46 New Caledonia
50 Vanuatu
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MAKING A SPLASH | Gre e n T h u n d e r
Ports of Australia and the South Pacific
equator
AUSTRALIA 1
2
3
TASMANIA 4
INDIAN OCEAN
30
5
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MAKING A SPLASH | Green Thunder
PORTS OF CALL AUSTRALIA 1 Sydney 2 Melbourne
VANUATU 22 14 23
15
FIJI
21 20 18
TASMANIA 3 Burnie 4 Hobart 5 Port Arthur NEW ZEALAND 6 Auckland 7 Bay of Islands 8 Christchurch 9 Fiordland National Park 10 Napier 11 Dunedin (via Port Chalmers) 12 Tauranga 13 Wellington
17 19 16
NEW CALEDONIA
PA C I F I C OCEAN
FIJI 4 Port Denarau 1 15 Suva NEW CALEDONIA 1 6 Isle of Pines 17 Lifou Island 18 Maré Island 9 Nouméa 1
7
6 12
10
VANUATU 2 0 Mystery Island 21 Port Vila 2 2 Santo 2 3 Wala
N W
E S
13
8
9 11
NEW ZEALAND
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PORTS OF CALL | A u s t r a l i a
SHOWN HERE: Melbourne by night. BELOW: Federation Square, Melbourne; a beach on the Bay of Fires in Mount William National Park, Tasmania.
AUSTRALIA
If the sight of Sydney Harbour (or the port of Melbourne) slipping out of view didn’t convince you, let us remind you: Your holiday is finally here! It’s time to forget everything that’s happening back home and prepare for warm sun, cool breezes and the sheer joy of escaping to paradise. From Tasmania and New Zealand to Pacific islands both vibrant and deserted, we know you’re going to find new places to love. The only question is: Which of Carnival Spirit’s beautiful ports of call will you decide to call “the one”? 32
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It’s been dubbed the “most European” of Australian cities — which seems to be shorthand for a food-crazy city full of
MELBOURNE
Flinders Street Station
stylish urbanites who are serious about their espresso. Melburnians probably wouldn’t argue with that description. They don’t often gloat about their hometown, but they could. Melbourne really does have it all: great shopping, the best coffee, a wealth of food from across the globe, a glitzy
NEALE COUSLAND/shutterstock.com; NEALE COUSLAND/shutterstock.com; ASHLEY WHITWORTH/shutterstock.com; DMITRI KAMENETSKY/shutterstock.com; RONALD SUMNERS/shutterstock.com
casino and adorable cobblestoned alleys made for stumbling across hidden gems. For all its urban cred, Melbourne is a city of nature, too. The Treasury and Fitzroy gardens provide quiet escapes, and the Royal Botanic Gardens takes the concept to the max. The city is prone to the proverbial four seasons in one day, but if a beach day at St. Kilda gets rained out, there’s plenty to explore indoors at museums and markets galore. Two multi-purpose precincts in particular provide an antidote to boredom, each packing shopping, dining, entertainment and culture into in one convenient location:
sydney
Ah, Sydney. Is there a place in the world
the-scenes tour of the Opera House. Other
Street Station; and swanky Southbank,
that can match its show-stopping, scene-
classic ways to see the city — experiences
alongside the Yarra River.
stealing beauty? (Nope, didn’t think so.)
even locals love to do over and over
Federation Square, adjacent to Flinders
Getting around is a cinch, thanks to
The city is brimming with iconic
again — include jumping on a ferry to Manly,
wide, tree-lined boulevards and the city’s
encounters, so if you’ve already done the
doing the Bronte-to-Bondi coastal walk or
distinctive, widespread tram system.
Bridge Climb, it may be time for a behind-
exploring Taronga Zoo, where the giraffes have views of the city skyline and the hidden
A view of the city from beneath Sydney Harbour Bridge
coves of Sydney Harbour. There’s lots to see in Sydney’s other nooks and crannies, too. A short hop to the west is the Sydney Fish Market, where the best of the catch includes Sydney Rock Oysters and Balmain Bugs. At the southern end of Darling Harbour, there’s Chinatown, worth exploring for both authentic, piping hot dishes and unique shopping options, often at bargain prices. Whether you see the city from the water or from great heights, from inside its shops and museums or from a perch at one of its historic pubs, Sydney will do her best to woo you. We challenge you to resist her charms.
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PORTS OF CALL | Ta s m a n i a SHOWN HERE: A rural field in Tasmania. OPPOSITE: The Creative Paper Arts Centre, Burnie; the waterfront with Mount Wellington in the background, Hobart; the historic Convict Church, Port Arthur.
Good to Know
Tuck In: All that cool air makes Tasmanian food pretty darn tasty. Stroll through Salamanca Market in Hobart to sample the best berries, apples, stone fruits and honey. Burnie is famous for its fullflavoured cheeses, and you can get delicious seafood from the Southern Ocean across the state. Cheers: Tasmanian beer is known for its crispness, a clean flavour you might already know from your local, if it serves a brew from James Boag’s or Cascade. The latter has been made in Hobart since 1824, when a man named Peter Degraves dreamt up designs for the Cascade Brewery while serving time in the Old Hobart Gaol. These days, Tasmanian wines are also making a bit of a name for themselves. Give it a Go: Make time to meet the local wildlife. Burnie is home to a colony of fairy penguins, while seals and dolphins are common sights from Bruny Island, near Hobart. The waters around Port Arthur have abundant bird and sea life.
TASMANIA
It’s chock full of nature, history, unspoiled countryside and some of the best food and wine in the nation. For a small state, Tassie sure packs a lot of punch. Step back in time at Port Arthur or take a stroll through Hobart and on-the-up Burnie and you’ll soon see how a little isolation can create one magical place.
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Get Wet: Beaches never seem to get crowded in Tassie. But for something different, get your paddle on and see the unspoiled coastline from a kayak. The waters around Hobart are almost as calm as your bathtub back home.
Who Knew?
Just past Burnie, on the northwestern tip of the island, is the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, which monitors atmospheric changes. According to scientists, Tasmania lays claim to some of the purest air and water in the world — and who are we to argue? For details on attractions and activities you can enjoy while visiting Tasmania, see the onboard shore-excursions team.
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KWEST/shutterstock.com; TOURISM TASMANIA & RICHARD EASTWOOD; Tourism Tasmania & Stuart Crossett; NEALE COUSLAND/shutterstock.com; TOURISM TASMANIA & SAMUEL SHELLEY
BURNIE
Ports by Mike Bingham
Burnie has a lot of stories to tell. Not least,
products conjured from a variety of
Company. The pioneers were no doubt
its transformation from a town of 20,000
recycled materials.
drawn by the hinterland surrounding the
once dominated by a paper mill and
The spirit of creativity and adaptability
town — some of the richest agricultural
other heavy industry. The closure of the
on display there — along with the
land in Australia and the same lush pastures
mill in 2010 was a heavy blow, but Burnie
tradition of making stuff, whether it’s
that make Burnie’s cheeses a must-try.
has transformed itself into an innovative,
paper, cheese, single-malt whisky or
thriving, tourist-friendly destination.
milk — is the beating heart of Burnie.
The local whisky, on the other hand, owes its distinct flavor to the clean water
Paper still plays a starring role in the
History, of course, plays its part, given
and high-quality ingredients found in this
town: A venture called Creative Paper
that European settlement here began in
beautiful corner of the country, a flavour
now anchors the Burnie Visitor Centre,
1828 with the establishment of a small
that’s led to Tasmania’s emergence on
showcasing local, handmade paper
port by the colonial Van Diemen’s Land
the world whisky stage.
HOBART
PORT ARTHUR
BURNIE
HOBART
PORT ARTHUR
began in 1804, close to where cruise ships now berth in
men and boys shipped there from England as convicts. Solitary
Sullivans Cove. Most were convicts or soldiers, and many of
confinement, the lash and hard labour in harsh conditions was
the convicts met their end on the gallows nearby.
their punishment for often-trivial crimes.
The first arrivals to the nation’s second oldest capital city
Port Arthur was once the end of the world for the thousands of
Today, Hobart is a much happier place — a harbourside
But what was horror is now heritage, with the tranquil
city where friendly locals are delighted to share all that
40-hectare site recognised as the best-preserved convict
their home has to offer.
settlement in the nation, and one of the most significant in the
A great way to soak it in is to take the leisurely one-
world. The approach by sea is stunning, with soaring cliffs and
kilometre stroll from the ship around Hobart’s historic
dense native forests, although the 12,500 convicts who helped
harbour and explore its cafés, dockside pubs, museums,
build the settlement between 1830 and 1877 are unlikely to have
art and craft galleries and bookshops.
appreciated their surrounds.
Echoes of the past are all around, from the grand
Come ashore these days and it’s a fascinating experience. There
sandstone warehouses in Salamanca Place to heritage
are more than 30 historic buildings and ruins, plus convict-era
sailing ships. This is where the Norwegian explorer Amundsen
gardens that have been beautifully restored.
stepped ashore to announce to the world that he had
It’s a reminder that Port Arthur was both a prison and a self-
reached the North Pole. It is also where Douglas Mawson
sufficient community. Perhaps the most chilling activity today is
sailed south on his own epic explorations.
to opt for a moment or two in a solitary-confinement cell.
Fueling your own Hobart discoveries is one of the
There’s even more fuel for the imagination inside the visitor
highlights of a visit. Seafood is a specialty, and it’s hard to
centre, where you can play the “Lottery of Life” to discover the
beat an outdoor lunch of fish and chips from one of the
personal story of one of the many convicts. And if you have
city’s fishing fleet. Another stop, especially for the thirsty,
ever wondered whether you have a convict ancestor, take a
should be the Lark Distillery, where the malt whisky is so
look at the convict index and the various reference works to
good it’s exported to Scotland.
find your answer.
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PORTS OF CALL | N e w Z e a l a n d Lupins bloom in springtime on a New Zealand lake, with mountains in the distance.
Good to Know Tuck In: Quintessential NZ flavours include Manuka honey; a traditional Maori feast called hangi that’s cooked in an underground pit; lamb; paua (abalone); tuatua; and clams. Then there’s the most famous taste of all: the kiwifruit. Cheers: We don’t need to tell you that New Zealand is a wine connoisseur’s dream. In Dunedin (reached via Port Chalmers), you can also visit the home of Speight’s, one of the most popular beers in New Zealand. For more distinctive tastes, look for a microbrewery in Auckland, Christchurch, Napier or Wellington. Give it a Go: Plunging into hot saltwater pools at Mount Maunganui, meeting fur seals on the Otago Peninsula … New Zealand has no patience for the word “bored”. History buffs can learn the story of the nation at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds or take an Art Deco tour of Napier. Meanwhile, Lord of the Rings fans can visit the countryside that stood in for “The Shire” in Peter Jackson’s films — a short drive from Tauranga — or go behind the scenes at The Weta Cave, which is part of Jackson’s production facility in Wellington.
NEW ZEALAND If you haven’t been to visit our neighbours to the south yet, you’re in for a treat.
There may be no better way to see the beautiful bays, peaks and charming towns of New Zealand than from the deck of a cruise ship — except perhaps to experience the sights, sounds and flavours of the ports themselves. Good thing Carnival’s cruises to New Zealand have you covered from the North Island to the South, with visits to the best fiords, beaches, cities and vineyards in between. 36
Get Wet: See dolphins do backflips in Fiordland, or take a stroll on a dramatic black-sand beach in Auckland. Whether you want to kayak or windsurf, fish, snorkel or sail, New Zealand has the perfect setting.
Who Knew?
Hobbits, sure. But dinosaurs? Dinosaur fossils were discovered in the Hawke’s Bay area in 1975, suggesting that landbased dinosaurs had once upon a time lived and roamed in New Zealand. For details on attractions and activities you can enjoy while visiting New Zealand, see the onboard shore-excursions team.
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AUCKLAND
Auckland’s called the City of Sails for a reason: The locals make the most of the location, and the warm weather, by getting into and onto the water at any opportunity. New Zealand’s largest, and warmest, city boasts a fabulous harbour, and the viaduct that borders it has been developed in recent years to house bars, cafés and restaurants with outside tables and creative cocktail menus. Just a few minutes’ walk is the centre of the city, where tourists and locals shop in the boutiques of High Street and Chancery and the converted warehouses of the Britomart precinct. The newly refurbished Auckland Art Gallery is here too, as is SkyCity, home to the highest building in the country, the 328-metre Sky Tower. Go up it if you dare! There are more authentic Auckland experiences to be found in other suburbs like Ponsonby, the city’s hipster enclave, and Waiheke Island, a chilled-out spot less than an hour away. Many Aucklanders live on the island and commute to the mainland every day; visitors can take a ferry from the terminal right next to the cruise port and find out what makes Waiheke so special. We’ll give you a hint: It involves award-winning vineyards and restaurants
SJ FRANCIS/shutterstock.com; MATTJONES/shutterstock.com
showcasing the best in local produce. — Kirsten Matthew
The Auckland skyline by night
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PORTS OF CALL | N e w Z e a l a n d With its golden beaches and 144 islands, the Bay of Islands is one of the prettiest — and sandiest — places in The Land of the Long White Cloud (as Maori call New Zealand). The Bay of Islands is a collection of coastal settlements steeped in history. Waitangi Treaty Ground, the actual spot where the Queen of England’s representatives and local Maori signed the document that made New Zealand a colony of Britain, is just a few minutes from Waitangi wharf and well worth a visit. In the next town, Paihia, there are laidback places to eat and drink, and perfect beaches to laze on. A short ferry ride away is Russell, where you can traipse around the old whaling town and pay a visit to the country’s oldest hotel and church. The Bay of Islands area is renowned for its marine life, so you’ll probably want to get out onto
BAY OF ISLANDS
the ocean on a small boat. If you’re lucky, you might spot Orcas and penguins — and if you’re really lucky, get to swim with the local dolphins. — Kirsten Matthew
An aerial view of the islands
CHRISTCHURCH
You’ll be forgiven for thinking the captain
more French than Kiwi, in everything
Christchurch’s picturesque beauty often
has magically taken a pit stop in Europe
from the street names to the cuisine.
draws comparisons to England — think
when the ship docks in beautiful Akaroa,
But if you can tear yourself away from
manicured gardens and sweeping parks.
the gateway to your visit in Christchurch.
this très adorable corner of the world,
Despite being the third-largest city in
Nestled in the emerald hills of the
jump on a tour to historic Christchurch.
New Zealand, Christchurch has a distinct
Banks Peninsula, this tiny town is far
Also sprinkled with European inspiration,
village feel. Make the most of the slow pace by gliding down the Avon River
Hagley Park, Christchurch
in a punt, or taking a stroll through the Botanic Gardens. For something a little left of centre, you could head to the International Antarctic Centre, where visitors can experience bitterly cold blizzard conditions and zoom around a custom-made track on a snowmobile. While Christchurch is still in recovery mode from the 2011 earthquake, the locals, known as Cantabrians, are fiercely proud of their city and are determinedly rebuilding. They’ll welcome you with open arms and oodles of Canterbury charm. — Karleigh Smith
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FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
Even the chattiest of travellers are silenced by the sheer beauty of Fiordland. This is the New Zealand you see on postcards, in guidebooks — and in your dreams. Your ship will glide silently through the magnificent “sounds” — the pristine bodies of water flanked by towering, often snow-capped, cliffs. During your journey through Fiordland you’ll see the world-famous Milford and Doubtful sounds, along with Browne and Sutherland falls, which are among the tallest waterfalls on the planet. (Yes, that means you should have those camera batteries fully charged!) This is the place to pull out your wet-weather gear — Fiordland is the recipient of more than 6,300mm of rain per year. While undoubtedly gorgeous, the fiords of New Zealand are essentially uninhabited — even the Maori only passed through to hunt and fish. That’s what makes this part of New Zealand so special and a must-see port to spend time in. It’s one of the most
THOMAS NORD/shutterstock.com; PIERRE-JEAN DURIEU/shutterstock.com; A. VOGLER/shutterstock.com
untouched places in the world. — Karleigh Smith
Mitre Peak in Fiordland National Park
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PORTS OF CALL | N e w Z e a l a n d Art deco pervades Napier.
DUNEDIN
DUNEDIN
NAPIER
The Dunedin Railway Station
NAPIER
(via PORT CHALMERS)
New Zealand’s Art Deco capital, Napier is one good-looking, good-time town. It’s also the biggest city in the Hawke’s the prettiest countryside, beaches, farms and vineyards in the nation. A 7.8-Richter-scale ear thquake flattened much of Napier in 1931, and the rebuilding that followed dotted the town with gorgeous Art Deco and Spanish Mission buildings and monuments. Almost everything in town is Art Deco-themed, including the welcome bestowed on every ship that docks in Napier harbour. Be prepared for vintage cars, locals kitted out flapper-style and the throwback sounds of 1930s music. After the warm welcome, many visitors The stunning Victorian and Edwardian
Dunedin is also home to what’s believed
are drawn to the seaside village of Ahuriri,
architecture — including the must-see
to be the world’s steepest road, Baldwin
with its boardwalk, estuary, design stores
railway station — hints at its past as one
Street. Gasping your way to the top is sure
and cheery cafés. Back in the centre of
of the nation’s first cities, but present-day
to result in a major thirst, which you can
Napier, there are great opportunities for
Dunedin is decidedly modern.
quench with a heady Otago pinot noir or
shopping, antiquing and eating a locally
a beer from Speight’s Brewery.
made Rush Munroe ice cream while
When school’s in, the population swells with students attending Otago University —
Chocolate fiends will love Cadbury
sitting on the foreshore’s Marine Parade.
and where there are students, you know that
World, where cocoa bean worshippers
Even more diversions beckon just
great places to eat and drink can’t be far
can bow in front of a massive chocolate
outside of town — in the area’s vineyards,
away. These gems — from cosy brasseries
waterfall before sampling quintessential
flat and fabulous cycling trails and Cape
to shiny new restaurants — are mainly found
Kiwi treats, Chocolate Fish and Pinky Bars.
Kidnappers, a spot on the coast with
in Dunedin’s quirky village centre, called The
It’s hard to think of a better taste of southern
the largest mainland colony of gannet
Octagon for its eight-sided shape.
New Zealand than that. — Karleigh Smith
birds. — Kirsten Matthew
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DUNEDINNZ.COM/IAN BRODIE; MARC VAN VUREN/shutterstock.com; MARTIN MAUN/shutterstock.com; PATRICIA HOFMEESTER/shutterstock.com
Bay region, and a gateway to some of
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BARTUCHNA@YAHOO.PL/shutterstock.com; QFSE MEDIA/WIKIPEDIA; DONALD YTONG/WIKIPEDIA; PYAST/shutterstock.com
SHOWN HERE: The view from Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. BELOW: Maori rock carvings at Mine Bay on Lake Taupō.
TAURANGA
If you’re looking for a chilled seaside vibe, you’ll find it in Tauranga. The ship docks a short walk from one of the most spectacular beaches in New Zealand, Mount Maunganui — or “The Mount,” as the locals affectionately call it. You can enjoy the pristine shoreline of this former Maori settlement with the sound of pounding surf ringing in your ears, but the area offers more than just postcard views. Jutting into the waves is the extinct volcano the area is named for. A walk around the well-trodden base, with steep mountain
The Mount is conveniently brimming
walls on one side and rock pools on the
with trendy cafés catering to the beach
other, is a must.
crowd, so rewards you can actually eat
The most energetic and curious visitors
are easy to come by, too.
tackle the steep climb to the top of the 232m
After refuelling, the bustling port town
summit — and are rewarded with sweeping
of Tauranga, and its clutch of boutiques
views across the Bay of Plenty’s spectacular
perfect for browsing, awaits across the
coastline. (Reckon you’re up for it?)
bridge. — Karleigh Smith
wellington
New Zealand’s capital city is small, scenic and the centre for the country’s arts and culture. That means there’s plenty to do and see — and most of it just a short walk away from a great pub or café. Much of the laidback city’s best sights are dotted around the waterfront,
SHOWN HERE: Wellington’s Beehive building, the executive wing of Parliament. RIGHT: A cable car on its way.
where Wellingtonians gather to eat lunch, run miles, drink pints and take in the terrific views of the harbour. (Follow their lead and wrap up warm when you venture harbourside; this town isn’t called “Windy Wellington” for nothing.) It’s here where you’ll find restaurants and bars; Frank Kitts Park, which is filled with public sculptures; and Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. The huge, brightly coloured museum is free and well worth a visit, thanks to the fabulous — and not the least bit boring — interactive exhibits explaining New Zealand’s history. Make a point of seeing the tattered Treaty of Waitangi, the document that colonised the country in 1840. To mingle with locals, and emulate their style, head to the Central Business District, where you’ll find the shops of Lambton Quay. Nearby and also worth a look for its distinctive architecture are the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, known by the locals as The Beehive. — Kirsten Matthew
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Likuliku Lagoon, Fiji
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pacific islands
THE EXOTIC ALLURE of this region takes many forms: the ancient heritage of Fiji, the French-influenced culture of New Caledonia,
TOURISM FIJI
the serenity of Vanuatu. It’s like little else you’ve ever seen — or felt.
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PORTS OF CALL | F i j i
GOOD TO KNOW
Tuck In: The Fijian spin on ceviche, kokonda (ko-KON-da) makes a refreshing snack. Raw white coral trout is marinated overnight in lemon juice, which is replaced the next morning with the fresh white juice of a coconut. It’s topped off with sliced onion, tomato, chili and a pinch of salt. Eat it on the beach for added “Wow” factor. Cheers: Try an ice-cold schooner of Fiji Bitter or Fiji Gold.
Both relaxation and adventure await in Fiji.
Get Wet: Want to fish, snorkel, dive or swim? Port Denarau is the spot. (Even for you lazy types who just want to lounge about and listen to the strains of the locals’ guitars.)
FIJI
Don’t be scared by all that firewalking-warrior stuff. Today, Fijians pride themselves on being the friendliest people in the world. (Get ready to say “
” a lot.)
When you see the country’s lush, subtropical rainforest, traditional villages and stretches of pure white-sand beaches, you’ll know why everyone’s so happy.
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Give it a Go: For a thoroughly Fijian experience, visit Naililili Cathedral outside of Suva. The 100-year-old church was built from coral by early French Catholic missionaries. Today, local children from the nearby school knock visitors’ socks off with renditions of traditional welcome songs.
Who Knew?
Condé Nast Traveler magazine named Fijians the friendliest people in the world, but as late as 1860, many Fijians were cannibals. As one Fijian chief clarifies, “We are the friendliest cannibals in the world!” For details on activities and attractions you can enjoy while visiting Fiji, see the onboard shore-excursions team.
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PORT DENARAU
top shore excursions port denarau
Beachcomber Island Getaway Oolala Savala Island Day Cruise ● Oolooloo Surf and Snorkel Day Cruise ● Firewalking and Cultural Show ● Nalesutale Rainforest Trek and Swim ● ●
suva ● ● ● ● ●
Forest Flying Fox Adventure Rainforest Walk A Tropical Delight: The Pearl South Pacific Resort The Jewel of Fiji Beqa Lagoon Day Cruise
See your onboard shore-excursion specialist to book. One of the island’s beautiful beaches
When the first cruises began arriving in Fiji nearly 50 years ago, Port Denarau didn’t exist. Now it’s a lavish haven for well-heeled visitors and the Fijian wellto-do, with a modern retail complex, marina and golf club. Port Denarau is a short tender ride from your ship, and there’s plenty to choose from once you’re ashore. This is your chance to experience authentic Fijian culture and hospitality, with shore excursions ranging from CHESTER TUGWELL/shutterstock.com; YUVIS STUDIO/shutterstock.com; SELFIY/shutterstock.com
leisurely beach relaxation to active watersports and exciting Fijian dances starring the country’s famed firewalkers. Some of the more unusual attractions are located just out of town. Some 2,000 varieties of orchids are in bloom at Raymond Burr’s popular Garden of the Sleeping Giant, while Fiji’s ancient history
SUVA
A Fijian troupe performs a traditional meke dance.
The bustling capital of Fiji reminds
Molituva Village offers the opportunity
the 1,600-acre Sigatoka Sand Dunes
you that the world is still turning even
to take photos, capturing the energetic
National Park.
while you’re on holiday. Historic colonial
warriors as they perform a traditional
is on view in the archaeological digs at
Boaters can choose from heaps of
buildings mix with modern architecture in
meke dance — or to venture to Pacific
small craft at the marina, which head
a multicultural city that is full of the sights,
Harbour for the traditional firewalking
out to tiny islands such as Beachcomber
sounds and smells of the South Seas.
performed by the legendary Beqa
or Tivua. Here, visitors can dive, snorkel,
Window shoppers can ogle everything
warriors.
sail Hobie Cats, swim, luxuriate with a
from spices and local produce to Indian
If you’re on foot downtown, swing
massage, or just laze on the beach.
saris and electronics. Be sure to book
by the colourful Municipal Market just
After all that sun, one of the best ways
early for the popular shore tours. These
beyond the wharf in Usher Street and
to cool off — and squeeze in a little retail
can take you to the steamy jungle for a
get amongst the vibrant hurly-burly of
therapy — is to pay a visit to the marina
hike or zip-line thrill ride, or to a Fijian
commerce, island style. Mornings are
mall. — Roderick Eime
village for dancing and a kava ceremony.
best. — Roderick Eime
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PORTS OF CALL | N e w C a l e d o n i a SHOWN HERE: A beach on OuvĂŠa Island, New Caledonia. BELOW, FROM TOP: A Kanak dancer; a traditional island hut.
NEW CALEDONIA Pace yourself. The breathtaking sight of this archipelago glinting in the Pacific is just the opening act.
The main event starts when you step on shore to sample French delicacies in NoumĂŠa, and ancient Melanesian culture in tiny villages. Beaches here are total scene-stealers, and the grandest of finales takes place underwater: exploring the New Caledonia Barrier Reef, one of the largest in the world.
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ISLE OF PINES
Good to Know
Tuck In: In Nouméa, it’s all about French fare: bread, cheese and wine; pâté, patisseries, and foie gras. For something a little different, try the traditional Melanesian dish called Bougna. It’s a mix of local veggies, meat and seafood, marinated in coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and cooked for hours in an underground Kanak oven. (Think of it as Mother Nature’s own crockpot.)
Nicknamed “the closest island to
particular is perfect for long, leisurely
paradise”, the Isle of Pines is just as
strolls or extended naps in the shade.
beautiful above water as it is below. The
But it’s not all about the beach here.
famed New Caledonia Barrier Reef is
Historic sites include Notre Dame de
favoured by divers and designated a
l’Assomption Church in the centre of Vao
UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is
Village, and the monument to St. Maurice,
surpassed in size only by its more famous
commemorating the first Catholic worship
Aussie cousin, the Great Barrier Reef.
service on the island. — Fiona Harper
Fish sightings are guaranteed at Piscine
top shore excursions
Naturelle — the Natural Aquarium — a fish reserve that has become a popular
ISLE OF PINES
snorkelling spot. It’s located at Oro Bay
●
and is protected from the ocean waves
●
by a pine forest, which also makes it tops
●
among those who prefer dry land. Beach time is ridiculously picturesque
Island Discovery Snorkel the Natural Aquarium Le Meridien and Natural Aquarium
See your onboard shore-excursion specialist to book.
here: The bays are framed by bottle-green Araucaria pines, and the sand has the texture of talcum powder. Kuto Bay in
Cheers: The most popular local beer has a name that’s hard to forget: Number One.
PRZEMYSLAW SKIBINSKI/shutterstock.com; DUCANDAS/NCTPS; DUCANDAS/NCTPS; JAYTURBO/shutterstock.com
Give it a Go: On Amédée Lighthouse Island, you can climb the steps to the top of the lighthouse or get busy doing very little at all on the white-sand beach. Get Wet: Nouméa’s Bay of Anse Vata and Côte Blanche boast perfect conditions for wind-surfing, whether you want to have a go yourself or just sit back and watch the locals.
Who Knew?
New Caledonian crows are flying geniuses. Researchers say that their advanced use of tools — sticks, leaves and other objects they figure out how to use to get their food — make them some of the smartest animals in the world, perhaps even brainier than chimpanzees. For details on activities and attractions you can enjoy while visiting New Caledonia, see the onboard shore-excursions team.
St. Maurice Monument in Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
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PORTS OF CALL | N e w C a l e d o n i a
A serene beach in the Loyalty Islands
LIFOU ISLAND
Oozing charisma and warmth so typical of Kanak culture, Lifou Island is the kind of place that charms the soul. Dramatically sheer cliffs created by fossilised coral are topped with towering pines, and beneath them lies the beguiling turquoise Coral Sea. Caves carved by erosion create a sense of island mythology, while dense forest is not only pretty, but also provides essential compost required for taro, yam and banana
top shore excursions
crops. The coconuts you see are more than
A huge part of Lifou’s allure is its
just the perfect postcard props; their kernels
welcoming locals. The Kanak culture has
drive a copra industry that brings in much-
tendrils that reach back a few thousand
needed funds to this isolated community
years, creating a charming combination
in New Caledonia’s Loyalty Islands.
of Austronesian, Melanesian and, more
●
recently, French influence. (“Kanak” comes
●
from the Hawaiian word kanaka, meaning
MARÉ ISLAND
“human being”.) Remnants of the past can be seen in
LIFOU ISLAND ●
●
Melanesian Encounter Cliffs of Jokin Luecila Beach and Scenic Drive Forest and Secret Grotto
See your onboard shore-excursion specialist to book.
the traditional circular huts constructed from wood and straw that can still be found here, an art form that has all but disappeared elsewhere. — Fiona Harper
Snorkelling in New Caledonia
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The aquarium-like interior of Maré Island
to turn the neighbours back home green
(known locally as Nengone) was once
with envy, well, you’re really not trying.
a lagoon surrounded by a rim of islets.
The scene is just as spectacular
Fossilised coral rock has created an
underwater; book a snorkelling tour with
intriguing island landscape dotted with
the onboard excursions specialist. Have
caves and grottos. You’ll need robust
an underwater camera? Even better!
soles on your walking shoes if you’re
Maré Island was the first in New
to stretch your legs on an extended
Caledonia to be visited by English
hike, as honeycomb weathering has
missionaries in the 1840s. The 8,000 or so
created razor-sharp rocks — except on
residents today are still heavily influenced
the beaches, which are definitely the
by Christian values, which form an integral
barefoot kind.
part of their Melanesian culture. A handful
Jagged, charcoal-coloured cliffs ring
of villages are scattered across the island,
intimate beaches here. Dazzling white
and islanders sustain themselves with taro,
sand is kissed by gin-clear water that
yams, and crops from copra and banana
changes to incredibly turquoise a few
plantations. Take the time to chat to the
metres from shore. Though narrow, the
local ladies selling coconut juice in the
beaches here are some of the most
shade beachside, who will undoubtedly
photogenic in the South Pacific. If you can’t
be just as curious about you as you are
take a postcard-worthy snap guaranteed
about them. — Fiona Harper
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NOUMÉA
A little bit of France on the other side
spin through the stunning Jean-Marie
of the world makes for one of the most
Tjibaou Cultural Centre for a dose of
interesting ports in the whole South
Kanak arts and craft — as well as striking
Pacific. Quite unlike any other port in
architecture by Renzo Piano.
the region, Nouméa has a distinctive
The locals enjoy a hedonistic beach
“Euro” feel: cars on the “wrong” side of
culture, so there’s plenty to do out on
the road, strange money and signs in
the water — jet skiing, windsurfing,
Français. This isn’t Paris, though, so don’t
snorkelling — or if you just feel like
be afraid to try out your rusty French
lazing around. The quaint Tchou Tchou
when shopping for knick-knacks.
Train might look like kids’ stuff, but it’s a fun and easy way to see the town or get to the sexy beaches at Anse Vata
centre, transformed this Gallic colonial
or Baie des Citrons (Bay of Lemons —
outpost. Highlights of any visit include
named, we’re told, for crates of lemons
the Amédée Island Lighhouse (don’t
that mysteriously washed up on its
mind the snakes, they’re harmless) or a
sands one day). — Roderick Eime
DUCANDAS/NCTPS; DUCANDAS/NCTPS; AERIAL PROD/NCTPS; RPBW Architects @ ADCK - CCT Photographer O. Strewe; DUCANDAS/NCTPS
Nouméa was once a bit grotty, but a major facelift, especially around the city
top shore excursions NOUMÉA ● ● ● ● ●
See your onboard shore-excursion specialist to book.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Amédée Island and its lighthouse; the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre, where exhibits illuminate Kanak art and culture; hang-gliders get an actual bird’s-eye view.
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The Tchou Tchou Train Lagoon Snorkelling Adventure Amédée Island Marine Reserve Tree To Tree Adventure Escapade Island Half-Day Trip
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PORTS OF CALL | Va n u a t u
VANUATU
The islands immortalised in the musical do not disappoint. Vanuatu is a land — or many lands; there are 83 islands in total — of peaceful, uninhabited beaches, age-old traditions and a rich, if rocky, history. Today, volcanoes make for challenging hikes, and World War II
wrecks have become world-class dive sites teeming with colourful marine life.
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KARIN WASSMER/shutterstock.com; LARISSAD/shutterstock.com; SAM UNTERMAN/shutterstock.com
SHOWN HERE: Shark Bay off Tanna Island, Vanuatu. BELOW: The Jetty, Vanuatu.
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Good to Know
Tuck In: Don’t mind the name; laplap is a Vanuatu specialty. The pudding-type dish is made of mashed bananas, root vegetables and creamy coconut milk. It’s combined with meat or fish, wrapped in leaves and cooked in an earth oven. Cheers: The local beer is Tusker Lager, brewed in Port Vila. Kava, the alcoholic drink of choice for many South Pacific nations, is considered especially potent in Vanuatu. Give it a Go: Where else do you need to put flippers on before heading to the post office? The world’s one and only underwater post office is located off of Port Vila. Divers and snorkellers can also explore Million Dollar Point, where the SS and other World War II remains now serve as an underwater playground. Get Wet: Set foot on Mystery Island’s stunning beaches and you may never want to leave. Not even the locals live there, it’s so pristine. The friendly faces you’ll meet in port commute to the uninhabited Mystery Island from the neighbouring island of Anatom each day to sell their handicrafts.
MYSTERY ISLAND
This teeny crescent-shaped islet circled
island, though it will take much longer if
by a fringe of reef barely rises above the
you linger and savour each step falling into
ocean at the southern tip of Vanuatu’s
the sand. Longer still if you opt to snorkel
island chain — the jewel at the end of a
and take the opportunity to explore the
necklace, you might say. The castaway
shallow waters peppered with coral reef
island of your imagination, Mystery
and absurdly colourful tropical fish.
Island is the sort of far-flung paradise
As for the mystery in its name, the only
Robinson Crusoe may well have chosen
real mystery is why it’s taken you so long
to be marooned upon: all emerald-hued
to discover paradise. — Fiona Harper
palms, crushed coral sand and sparkling aquamarine sea.
Waterfront bungalows in Vanuatu
Don’t be surprised if you feel your heart rate slow down a notch as you step ashore; it’s simply readjusting to “island time”. Here, your day revolves around the path of the sun and the falling of the tide, much as it does for the locals who live across the channel on Anatom (or Aneityum) Island. Mystery Island is uninhabited except for a couple of bungalows that are rented out to modern-day castaways. It takes less than an hour to amble around the entire
Mystery Island, Vanuatu
Who Knew?
Long before bungy jumping fever took hold in New Zealand, Vanuatu tribes were doing their own version — jumping from wooden towers with vines wrapped around their legs and landing in layers of vines spread on the ground. The tradition began around 1,500 years ago in the southern villages of Pentecost Island. The jumps still take place every year during the Naghol festival, which is held to bless the yam harvest. For details on activities and attractions you can enjoy while visiting Vanuatu, see the onboard shore-excursions team.
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PORTS OF CALL | Va n u a t u
A rocky beach in Efate, Vanuatu
PORT VILA
This compact and busy little city is a fascinating por t offering great opportunities to do some shopping and check out the colourful downtown boutiques, cafés and pubs — all an easy walk from where the ship docks. If you’re hanging out to get in the water — or under it — Vila offers great diving, snorkelling and watersports for all abilities. Excellent for scuba diving, the area has famously warm and clear waters teeming
would be a trip to the Secret Garden, a
with marine life living on the numerous
lush, private two-acre botanical reserve.
wrecks in the harbour. The MV
Nature lovers should seek out one of
top shore excursions PORT VILA
wreck is a perfect introduction to this
the area’s Hawksbill turtle sanctuaries,
exciting sport, and you may even see a
where the rare animals are nurtured before
turtle or dugong while exploring.
release. Then there are rainforest hikes,
●
Onshore activities are many and varied.
which reward the active trekker with a
●
Culture and history buffs will want to visit
refreshing dip at the Mele Cascades falls.
the ethnological displays at the superb
Want to see it all? It’s possible to
National Museum of Vanuatu or take in the
traverse the entire island of Efate; all you
re-created village life at Ekasup Village. A
have to do is choose whether to do it by
more peaceful way to spend a few hours
bus or boat. — Roderick Eime
● ●
●
Ultimate Vila Discovery Buggy Off-Road Adventure Cascade Waterfalls Paradise Kayaking and Snorkelling Experience Tranquility Island and Turtle Sanctuary
SANTO ● ● ● ● ●
agical Gaua Water M Music Experience Cultural Activity Park Certified Dive: The President Coolidge Canoe the Riri River Northern Seaside and The Blue Hole
See your onboard shore-excursion specialist to book.
Divers will be in their element, too, and a visit to the world-famous SS wreck is an absolute must.
SANTO
Back on shore, highlights include visits to villages for cultural experiences and Nanda Blue Hole in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu
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trips to the mystical “blue holes”, where the crystal-clear water makes your canoe
Anyone familiar with the writings of James
you that Luganville was built from scratch
A. Michener will be eager to visit the port
by the U.S. armed forces in World War II as
You may be surprised to learn that this
of Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo.
a forward supply base. Military buffs will
part of the world exports beef to Japan,
The best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer
be spoiled for choice of World War II sites,
Australia and the rest of the South Pacific;
put Santo on the map with his romantic and
which include the wreck of a B-17 Flying
out in the verdant backcountry you can
tragic
Fortress and the astonishing Million Dollar
ride a horse through the prehistoric-looking
Wide boulevards and Quonset huts (in the
Point, where tons of surplus equipment
jungle and see where the renowned Santo
unmistakably military Nissen style) remind
and machinery were dumped into the sea.
beef cattle reside. — Roderick Eime
.
look like it’s floating in space.
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES FUN ASHORE
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WALA
One of two “twin” islands off the northeast coast of Malekula (the second-largest island in Vanuatu), Wala is a simple place where life is uncomplicated by computers, mobile phones and cars. The 400 or so residents walk everywhere, unless they’re going to the “mainland” of Malekula about a mile away. Then they take a dugout canoe. Once upon a time inhabited by a tribe of fearsome warriors and cannibals, this outer island of Vanuatu has become a sort of living museum, frozen in time. The locals
VALERY SHANIN/shutterstock.com; KARIN WASSMER/shutterstock.com; MARKHIGGINS/shutterstock.com; F. ENOT/shutterstock.com; KARIN WASSMER/shutterstock.com
are considerably friendlier these days, with warm smiles and a gentle nature. Island traditions and customs involving superstitions and initiation traditions are beautifully illustrated in ceremonial dances, with men proudly adorned with groin sheaths and women swishing around in grass skirts. The village is only a short walk from the beach, and offers centuries-old customs and rhythmic beating drums announcing visitors’ arrivals. If all that dancing makes you sweat, a refreshing swim is just a short stroll away. The water in Wala is crystal-clear, merging into an inky, cobalt blue, thanks to a deep-water channel not far from the crisp, white beach. — Fiona Harper
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Vanuatu signal drum, c. 1920, from Cooranbong Missionary Museum in NSW; traditional dugout canoe at Lamen Bay, Epi Island; Vanuatu carved-wood totem.
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Let’s Get This Holiday Started
Dmitriy Shironosov
We know, there’s so much to do on board Carnival Spirit. Almost too much fun for one holiday. But with all her great dining venues, comfy beds, relaxing spots and exhilarating waterslides, the ship is just one part of your cruise getaway. Don’t forget to find the rest of your fun on shore in Carnival Spirit’s postcard-perfect ports of call. Choose from snorkelling and offroading, rainforest treks, traditional village ceremonies, and a whole lot more. See your onboard shore-excursion specialist for all the details.
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Special Advertising Feature
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Special Advertising Feature
OPAL AND PEARL LESSONS 5 reasons to purchase your Opal from Australian Opal Cutters
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SERVICE At Australian Opal Cutters we understand that a piece of jewellery is an incredibly personal purchase and we want to match that with advice and guidance, no matter where you are in the process. Australian Opal Cutters’ International Lifetime Warranty Policy ensures that we will treat you as well as we like to be treated ourselves, using the Golden Rule.
Many thanks, Graeme Blaiklock Chairman
www.australianopalcutters.com.au 1695R-L_V3.indd 2
9/11/12 11:41 AM
See your onboard Fun Finds Shopping Expert for more information and vouchers
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9/7/12 10:18 AM
See your onboard Fun Finds Shopping Expert for more information and vouchers
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9/7/12 10:22 AM