Islandliving Pacific
from the editor
AUTUMN 2016 | ISSUE 15
Island s Spectacle
N
ext issue, we will be celebrating four years of Pacific Island Living. We started this magazine for Pacific people – to find, review and recommend things to see and do, and ultimately, buy. We are proudly an aspirational magazine, we want our readers to sit back and indulge just as much as we want to tell the world how great the Pacific really is. From Georgie Gordon’s health and beauty columns, to Carolyn Ernst’s gardening tips, we hope you agree Pacific Island Living has something for everyone. In four years our market has grown from Vanuatu and Nauru Airlines to cover most of the Pacific. We’re particularly proud of our market share in Fiji and the Solomon Islands as well as our distribution in Australia through Qantas Club lounges. As I write this column I’m in Fiji, having just flown in from Vanuatu. Next month it will be Nauru then the Sollies. Pacific Island Living truly is a Pacific magazine and we’re so pleased you have enjoyed it and helped its growth over the last four years. Please do keep in touch via our website, Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter. Happy reading. Tiffany Carroll
Tours+Tips PORT VILA
Fashion Flash SWIM SENSATION
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and Instagram at instagram.com/pacisliving or read this and all our magazines online at www.pacific-island-living. com Cover images - Fiji Island Living courtesy Adrenalin Fiji; Solomon Island Living, by David Kirkland; Nauru Airlines Cover courtesy Nautilus Resort, Kosrae; Vanuatu cover courtesy Pavol Stranák.
NEWS+VIEWS RESORTS+RESTAURANTS
Copyright: All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Articles express the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Nauru Airlines, Tourism Fiji, Vanuatu Tourism Office or Pacific Island Living.
Vanuatu Edition
Plus
FOOD+HEALTH+MORE islandliving | 1 pacific
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PICTURE: Pavol Stranák.
Welcome m a k l e W Bienvenue hat sets Vanuatu apart has always been our best asset – our people. Twice voted the happiest nation on earth, we have good reason to smile. Our custom and culture is alive and well and importantly, respected. Chiefs still have a major role to play in Vanuatu and what’s fortunate for visitors to our islands, is village life is easily accessible and you are most welcome. The Vanuatu Tourism Office can assist with organising village stays, both in the major centres of Port Vila and Santo, but also in the outer islands. This time of year is the annual Nagol festival on the island of Pentecost – it is not to be missed.
See the death-defying ‘land diving’ every Saturday from April to June, it is a once in a lifetime experience (see page 71). We encourage you to get out and see the real Vanuatu – explore our islands and find out for yourself why we are the happiest people on earth. Linda Kalpoi, General Manager, Vanuatu Tourism Office
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out and about
Tours, Tips andanTrips uatu V n i o d What to
Vanuatu is all about being laid back and relaxing, or equally, getting out and about and enjoying the vast number of activities on offer.
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LE LAGON WINS Warwick Le Lagon Resort and Spa, Vanuatu has been voted Best Family Resort 2015 in the South Pacific. The resort placed first in a collection of 10 resorts from Vanuatu, Samoa and Cook Islands after being nominated by readers of Holidays with Kids for its outstanding holiday appeal and facilities for families. “This award is a major achievement and a credit to our resort and team. It’s a true testament of their hard work and passion to deliver the best holiday experiences for our guests and we thank the voters for their support,” general manager, Mathew Clowes said. Readers were invited to vote for the best family-
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friendly holiday resort they’ve encountered, and to rank their nomination on categories including activities and facilities for kids, staff hospitality, standard of accommodation, location, fun for the entire family, value for money and overall experience. “Warwick Le Lagon Resort and Spa is a haven for families as we have the facilities and family-friendly inclusions that create the perfect family getaway and offers great value for our guests,” Mr. Clowes said. The 2015 Readers Choice Survey recognises operators that provide excellence in family accommodation and service; Warwick Le Lagon Resort and Spa is located along the edge of Erakor Lagoon. Day guests are welcome.
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TANNA FARMS Tanna Farms make the very best coconut oil that nature allows – they refer to it as ‘The Good Stuff’, and for good reason. Their oil is a nut above the rest – it’s handmade, naturally organic, cold pressed, extra virgin and additive free. Tanna Farms is about more than their good oil though – you’ll find the scent of the islands in their soap and lip balm, and the taste of paradise in their peanuts and peanut butter. All made of course, with their pure and raw coconut oil. The coconuts used to make the oil are sourced from a pristine 100% chemical-free environment on Vanuatu’s island of Tanna. The Kiwi and Ni-Vanuatu Tanna Farms business
partners employ local NiVanuatu to manage and operate all aspects of their farm and coconut oil mill. All good stuff! “Since the devastation of Cyclone Pam, which smashed Tanna in March 2015, we have increased our commitment to the island’s communities, by putting one dollar from every jar sold into school supplies,” owner Jono Bushell said. “We’re about teaching skills and empowering communities to create their own sustainable future.” WHERE: Buy online at www. tannafarms.com.vu or at Traverso, Kava Emporium and other stockists in Port Vila. TELEPHONE 27 870 HOW MUCH: Show them Pacific Island Living magazine for a 15% discount.
Vanuatu has twice been voted the happiest place on earth and with good reason, the locals know how to enjoy themselves and how to make holidaymakers welcome. Here we’ve picked six of the best things to make your stay a memorable one. But there’s heaps more on offer, ask your hotel concierge or visit the Vanuatu Tourism Office in the middle of town or check their website for more activities.
Buy a business, stay in an award winning resort, visit a custom village or shop for designer wear or local handicrafts.
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INVESTMENT ADVICE Barrett & Partners is one of Vanuatu’s longest established accounting, auditing and investment advisory firms. Want to take advantage of Vanuatu’s tax haven status? Talk to Lindsay and the team before you do. Barrett & Partners can help if you’re looking to set up an offshore company in Vanuatu and can create specialised packages that are aimed at reaching commercial goals with ease. With chartered accountants, business advisors and auditors on hand, B&P offer a comprehensive range of business advice services that will get you what you want. TELEPHONE:22 280
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SEE THE ISLAND Here’s a tip. Go the Fun Cars at World Car Rentals, it’ll be the highlight of your Vanuatu adventure. Combining the fun of an off-road buggy with a fully registered vehicle, the four seater Mini Moke gets you where you want to go in the beautiful Vanuatu sun. Put the boards on top, explore the Blue Hole, hit the beach, pack a picnic and get off the beaten track. Follow your nose so to speak and explore Vanuatu in your time. World Car Rentals have got the vehicle for every adventure. The Mini Moke, 4 x 4 Luxury and tray back vehicle options. OPEN: Seven days, 7.30am - 5.00pm, there’s no bad time to start. Just ring and they will deliver.
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ELEGANT BEAUTY In 1981 Vanuatu Bijouterie opened its doors for the first time, showcasing the finest quality, Vanuatu-made and designed jewellery available in Port Vila. Gemstones and semiprecious stones, local coral and other minerals and metals are cut and polished at their Port Vila workshop every day, the end result being exquisite art for the discerning buyer. Quality is assured and rings, pendants, earrings, necklaces and bracelets are made to order. Choose one of their Vanuatu-inspired, stunning designs, or suggest your own. WHERE: Nambatu area, past Au Bon Marché. TELEPHONE 776 8750.
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TURTLE BAY Sometimes to experience the real Vanuatu you have to get off the beaten track. Unfortunately getting off the beaten track may take time you don’t have. Well the good news is, a quick (50-minute) flight to Santo and you’re more than half way there. Turtle Bay Lodge on the east coast of Santo offers down to earth accommodation and an authentic Vanuatu experience. A great base to explore blue holes, custom villages, Champagne Beach and more. HOW MUCH: Air Vanuatu has package deals starting at VT36,500 per person or call Turtle Bay direct on 37 988.
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Kai Kai
Cooking In Paradise Francesca Grillo from Francesca’s at Havannah Harbour is our guest food writer this issue. She shares some recipes with one of her favourite local foods, Manioc.
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his rather ‘ugly’, woody, dark brown and very starchy tuberous root has a much longer shape than potato, a thicker skin and harder flesh. It is rich in carbohydrates and relatively poor in proteins, although providing a good source of energy, calcium, zinc, vitamin C, A and E. I personally love its dense and creamy texture and its mild flavour reminding of chestnut. These recipes can serves four as side dish or inviting snack plate.
Ingredients
• 3 small size manioc (referred to as curry manioc at the port vila market) • 2 twigs rosemary chopped • 3 cloves garlic lightly crushed • mayonnaise or aioli • salt • olive oil to coat • light vegetable frying oil • splash of coconut oil (optional) To prepare the manioc for the following recipes first wash the tubers very well to discard excess soil then peel them using a strong potato peeler since the skin is quite curly and hard.
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Use light vegetable oil to deep fry manioc chips, adding a splash of olive oil or coconut oil to moderate the frying temperature.
Roasted Manioc Cube the flesh of one manioc into medium to small size pieces to your liking and boil them in salt water for up to thirty minutes depending on size. Coat well with olive oil and salt and arrange on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Add the chopped rosemary, the crushed cloves of garlic and bake until light golden for a tasty alternative to roasted potatoes.
Manioc Chips
Version 1
Slice one manioc in thin circular discs and leave them soaking in salted water for one hour in the fridge. Drain and dry well on a cloth before deep frying until lightly golden and crisp. Rest on paper towels to collect excess oil, sprinkle with salt to your liking and serve warm with a side of mayonnaise or aioli.
Version 2
Shave the remaining cleaned manioc with a potato peeler obtaining thin, long and flat shavings. Place them in a bowl,
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coat with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt. Quickly deep fry manioc shavings until slightly brown on the edges, remove them from the oil and rest on paper towel before serving hot and crunchy.
Wine Suggestions
LC Brisk, 25m x 8m bow loading landing craft.
LC Tina 1, 40m x 11m stern loading landing craft.
General freight, heavy machinery passenger services. Offices in Port Vila & Santo, private facilities & storage.
Serve Manioc chips with a classic sparkling wine made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and for the lover of an earthy red wine try Cabernet Sauvignon, with which roasted manioc is a beautiful match.
Available for private charter
Francesca’s at Havannah is open for lunch and dinner with a weekly degustation. Bookings essential.
www.vanuatufreightcompanies.com
For enquiries phone 678 36517 or email enquiries@mcs.vu
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EKASUP
CULTURAL VILLAGE Hidden Treasure of the Pacific
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(+678) 24217/7746734 tatokatours@vanuatu.com.vu www.vanuatutourism.com/ekasup.html
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T +678 26 517 F +678 26 516
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A sustainable eco-experience for the whole family, set in a stunning tropical paradise
Join us for the Eden Experience, Port Vila | Contact +678 7710765
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