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The heart and soul of Brisbane. Weekends from $185 per night at the epicentre of the city’s shopping and entertainment. Historic Royal Albert Hotel is your central base for exploring the city on foot and enjoying everything from fine food to fashion, from the Casino to South Bank Parklands, from shopping to cruising the Brisbane River. Spacious guest rooms have 12 foot high ceilings, kitchens and dining rooms. Book now!
BRISBANE
Reservations: Freecall 1800 655 054 stay@royalalbert.com.au / www.royalalbert.com.au Corner of Albert and Elizabeth Streets, Brisbane.
Internationally recognised as one
of the Pacific’s best island destinations, Villa 25 is an absolute waterfront boutique retreat in an exclusive location only minutes from Port Vila. Three spacious, beautifully appointed luxury villas, an enticing infinity pool, a gorgeous Pacific style lowana, all overlooking a sheltered private beach. In a very short time Villa 25 has gained a reputation as being one of the finest boutique accommodations Vanuatu has to offer.
The setting is sublime.
relax@villa25.vu | www.villa25.vu | Ph +678 7764439
PORT VILA | VANUATU
Bookings essential
Phone 25844 | Email res@breakas.com | www.breakas.com
picturesque...
surrounded by natural beauty
The ideal place to stay for one night, one week or more – for any reason.
e info.lelagon@warwickhotels.com
Relaxing, rejuvenating, yet fun for all. Spacious accommodations Family Rooms, Bungalows, Suites and Villas. Activities & Facilities abound Oasis Spa, Funtastik Kids Club, Gym. Something for everyone daily activities, water sports, three pools, golf and tennis. Delicious Dining Buffets and a la carte dining, pool grille, lounges and swim-up bar. Conferences up to 880 people. Ideal for weddings with 75 acres and eight speciďŹ c venue locations.
www.lelagonvanuatu.vu or visit your favourite Travel Professional LL046 PIL Island Spirit Ad Full Page.indd 1
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Exclusively for adults and located just 30 minutes drive from Port Vila, the Havannah is an oasis of tranquility and your perfect romantic retreat. With only 17 luxurious villas set amidst elegantly landscaped gardens, you can be assured privacy and personalized service, Havannah style.
Samoa Point, North Efate, Vanuatu Tel: +678 35600 I Email: reservations@thehavannah.com I Website: www.thehavannah.com
Come and have a taste of the opulence, glamour and excitement of Monte Carlo right here at Vanuatu’s premier casino. The Grand Hotel & Casino is in the heart of town, with crystal chandeliers, gold leaf ceilings and meticulous attention to detail throughout, you’ll feel like you’re there, and best of all it’s at a price you can afford! With Roulette tables starting with a minimum bet of only 100vt, as well as Blackjack, Baccarat and our newest game Texas Hold’em Bonus. Or just try your luck on any of our state of the art poker machines and have a chance of winning one of our many jackpots for as little as 1vt.
p +678 27344 hotel Lini Highway, Port Vila, Vanuatu e info@grandcasinovanuatu.com www.grandvanuatu.com
proudly
LELEPA ISLAND DAY TOURS
So many have called it Paradise… but we call it home. ■ 100% owner operated by the local Lelepa Islanders
■ We operate every day except Saturday.
■ Fishing Charters half day and full day available. Your day tour includes:
Return transfers, morning and afternoon refreshments, BBQ lunch, snorkelling at our beautiful coral garden, visit our historical cave, learn about native herbs used for medicines and visit the kids in our village.
traveller rating
Phone: +678 23144 or +678 77-42714 | Email: lelepatours@vanuatu.com.vu | Web: www.lelepaislandtours.com
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PRIVATE
ISL AND
Above: Beachfront bungalows at Uepi. Above right: The underwater wonderland at Njari Island is filled with colourful corals and myriad fish.
International Freight Forwarding Specialists How Can We Help? Air Freight Sea Freight Air & Sea Charter Customs Clearance International Logistics Warehousing and Distribution
â– Cargo Transport System offers a complete range of freight forwarding and international logistics services, including importing and exporting, air freight and sea freight, Quarantine and Customs clearance as well as warehousing and distribution. With a truly global freight forwarding network, Cargo Transport System can take care of all your international shipping needs. â– As we have our own warehouse and a team of qualified international logistics experts in-house, we can provide a personalised service and customise a freight forwarding solution specific to your needs. We have shipped cargo as small as 200 grams through to equipment as big as 200 tons.
Cargo Transport - 3 Viola Place Brisbane Airport | PO Box 336 Banyo QLD 4014 Phone: (07) 3363 0400 | Fax: (07) 3860 4322 | www.cargotransport.com.au Contact David Brough: david@cargotransport.com.au
“Global Expertise, Domestic Knowledge� CORPORATE BANKING
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Smart Casual Italian “Fusion” Dining & Bar Eat • Drink • Swim • Massage Degustation Lunches Weddings & Functions Cooking Classes Open Wednesday to Sunday 11am – 8pm Located at Havannah Harbour 30 min from Port Vila
mobile. +678 7719898 email. gm@francescas.com.vu website. www.francescas.com.vu
Fr a n c e s c a ’ s Italian Restaurant & Bar
Memorable Magical Moments
On the picturesque shores of Mele Bay, Island Magic Resort offers fantastic four-star value for fully self-contained bungalows set within lushly landscaped grounds with direct access to the sea, inground pool and on-site restaurant. Perfect for couples or families. Contact Gerry or Jan Smelik T: +678 29 015 M: +678 774 6386 E: info@islandmagicresort.com W: www.islandmagicresort.com
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Marine Consultancy Services Vanuatu’s Number One Inter-Island Freight and Passenger Service
Diana Tam Vanuatu’s best known artist
Oil paintings, watercolours and gift cards. Hand painted table cloths, table runners, guests towels, cushion covers and men’s shirts.
Two landing craft vessels with weekly departure from Santo & Port Vila. Servicing Ambae, Pentecost, Ambrym & Epi.
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.
Available for private charter
Ladies sleepwear and South Sea Pearl jewellery. Visit her gallery off the Pango Rd, just 10 minutes from Port Vila’s CBD.
For enquiries phone 678 36517 or email enquiries@mcs.vu
Monday - Friday 1.30 - 5.00pm & Saturday 2.00 - 4.00pm Closed Sunday and Public Hoildays.
www.vanuatufreightcompanies.com
Telephone (678) 23038 | www.dianatam.info email for orders at dianatam@paradise.com
Serviced Apartments Spacious & Panoramic Harbour Views Studio & Two Bedroom Apartments Free WIFI, Tour, Business & Concierge Services CORPORATE RATES AVAILABLE www.mariner.vu | Phone: +678 29802 reservation@mariner.vu
Talk to your broker about us today. º Personal Accident º Contract Works
º Motor Vehicle º Commercial Property º Public & Products Liability º Workers Compensation º Home & Content Trust CAPITAL to protect you!
Now In Vanuatu. Call Us on: (678) 27395 or visit us at Level 1, Orchid Building. Vanuatu.
Vanuatu Food Safari
Slip your curiosity in high gear and join me on a culinary day out on our beautiful island. You are invited on my own cook’s journey through the South Pacific, a unique food experience that’s inspiring, informative and fun! Cooking classes by appointment.
Book a Hot Stone Massage & receive a Free Facial*
Residential Commercial Business Property Management Immigration Bldg, Lini Highway, Port Vila PO Box 3267, Port Vila, Vanuatu Phone: (678) 28080 / 5588309 info@professionals.vu professionalsvanuatu.com
Opp Vansec Bldg 2nd Floor next to Lotus Day Spa & Cafe P.O.Box 3267
For details, bookings and availability please contact: W: www.vanuatufoodsafari.com T: +678 26 108 M: +678 775 1793 E: bookings@vanuatufoodsafari.com
Tel: 23153
Email: vilafitforlife@gmail.com
Web: www.vilafitforlife.com
Vanuatu Villa Rental
E MANAG
Contact Christiana or Toga. Flipkey property number is 760445 T: (678) 775 1793 or (678) 775 1792 E: info@paua.co W: www.flipkey.com or www.paua.co
U PA A M
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UL TAN CY
Paua Management + Consultancy offers a range of spectacular private, absolute beachfront villas in the Whitesands/Narpow Point area of Efaté. On-site staff and en-suite accommodation in-ground pool plus private beach avaialble.
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+ CON
Another fun way to explore the islands is to take a local bus. If the bus is full when you board locals will sit on another person’s lap. There are no bus stops around the islands, so just wave down a bus if you want to get on, and when you want to get off simply pull the cord to ring the buzzer.
Solomon Islands
Capital: Honiara Country code: +677 Population: 549,598 (2012) Currency: Solomon Islands dollar Official language: English Language Solomon Islands Time Zone (UTC+11:00) Basic Language • Good morning – mone/moning • Hello – Halo • Goodbye – Baebae • See you again – lukim yu moa • Thank you – Tagio tumas • Do you speak English – yu save tok englis • My name is – nem blong mi hem • I do not understand – mi no save/mi no undastadem Business Hours Banking hours in Honiara are from 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Friday (ANZ and Westpac open at 9am). Government offices open
from 8am to noon and 1pm to 4pm Monday to Friday. Private businesses close half an hour later and operate on Saturday until midday. Most shops in town open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday and until noon on Saturday – some open longer, including on Sunday. Transportation Not all taxis are metered, so agree on a price at the start of your journey. Solomon Airlines offer flights to the outer islands.
Tonga
Capital: Nuku’alofa Currency: pa’anga (TOP) Population: 106,137 (July 2002 est.) Language: Tongan, English Time Zone: UTC +13 Basic language • Hello – Malo a lelei • Do you speak English – ‘Oku ke lava ‘o lea fakapalangi? • I don’t understand –‘Oku ‘ikai ke mahino kiate au • How much is it? – ‘Oku fiha • Please – Faka molemole • Thank you (very much) – Malo (‘aupiti) Business Hours Tonga’s businesses operate Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, on Saturday from 8.30am to 12noon. It is important to note that all businesses are
closed on Sundays, this includes most cafés and bars. Food is available in hotels and resorts. Transportation Most of the Island groups are serviced by inter island ferries, most of which depart from Queen Salote Wharf in Nuku’alofa. Water Taxis offer one way or round trip transfers between islands on fast, reliable and comfortable speed boats. Road taxis are unmetered and often unmarked but identified by the letter T at the beginning of the number plate. An acceptable fare from the International Airport to downtown Nuku’alofa would be $30 and short trips around the capital $5-$6.
Vanuatu
Capital: Port Vila Currency: Vatu, although AUD accepted in main towns Official languages: English, French and Bislama Population: 220,000 Time zone: GMT/UMT plus 11 hours. Basic Language • How much is that? – Hamas long hem? • I don’t know. – Mi no save • This is broken – Samting ia hemi bugarup or Samting ia i brok • How are you? – Olsem
wanem • Thank you –Tankyu • Thank you very much – Tankyu tumas • My name is… – Nem blong mi • What time does the plane land? – Wanem taem plen ia lan? • Food/eat – Kai Kai Business Hours Offices and shops usually open from 7.30 -11.30am and 1.30 - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Many shops open on Saturday morning. Siesta (lunchtime) is 11.30am - 1.30pm when many businesses and shops close. Restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, banks and the Port Vila market remain open. Vanuatu Post has locations throughout the country, some shared with the National Bank of Vanuatu. The Port Vila Post Office is open Monday to Friday 7.30am - 5.00pm and Saturday 7.30am - 11.30am Transportation Driving in Vanuatu is on the right hand side of the road. Apart from taxis buses are a great way to get around town. Any minibus with a red B on the number plate will take you on its route in central Port Vila for VT150 and trips further afield start at VT200. Air Vanuatu flies to the outer islands of Vanuatu.•
islandliving | 97 pacific
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956005
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