Islandliving pacifi c from the editor
SPRING 2016 | ISSUE 17
The
e u s s I g n i d
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE PERFECT PACIFIC WEDDING FOOD I FASHION I PLANNING I BEAUTY I HEALTH I FINANCE
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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
Find us on Facebook
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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. 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.
n o i t i d e u t a u Van
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PICTURE: Breakas Beach Resort.
Welcome m a k l e W Bienvenue elcome to Vanuatu and thank you for choosing our piece of paradise as your holiday destination. Whilst we don’t really have four seasons a year, your Spring is our wedding season. If you’ve come to Vanuatu to tie the knot may I say welcome! Enjoy our renowned hospitality and take time after the wedding to have some fun. From watersports to over-water restaurants, we’ve got something for everyone. The average temperature this time of year is around 26-30 degrees, perfect for exploring the outer islands, taking a swim at one of our stunning beaches or if you really want to heat
things up, follow the crowd to the Fest Napuan – the Pacific’s best music festival, held in Port Vila in October. We hope you will get out to see as much of Vanuatu as possible. My staff at the Vanuatu Tourism Office will be more than happy to assist with your travel plans – do call in to see us. 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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A TOUCH OF THE MED IN PORT VILA Cafe du Village Restaurant and Bar is a Mediterranean-style Port Vila institution which has enjoyed pride of place on the harbourfront opposite Iririki Island for many years. Over that time there have been several changes of management but it is now in the capable hands of Simon Troman who is determined to revive its reputation as one of the capital’s mustvisit eateries. The location is stunning with an absolute waterfront position which also serves as a wharf from which the Meridian sunset cruise departs each evening. The menu retains a number of old favourites including the entree seafood chowder with crusty bread which is one
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of the best around. There’s also a Spanish seafood soup with aioli and garlic toast and a few Asian goodies too, like pork and prawn spring rolls and Thai beef salad. For mains try the tropical geographical anomaly – steak and kidney pie, doesn’t matter if the weather’s hot this dish is worth overheating for. There’s also local eye fillet steak and lobster along with a good beef curry, so a cosmopolitan selection to suit all tastes. There’s a kid’s menu too. The wine list is extensive featuring some great drops from New Zealand, Australia and France at reasonable prices. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8.00 am until late – Tuesday to Sunday. Call for reservations +678 27789.
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SURPRISING SHOPPING Vila has a good selection of quality shops, but some of the best, full of hidden surprises are not necessarily on the tourist trail. Vila Distribution is on Lini Highway, towards the airport and sells everything from hardware to wholesale baby food – go there for Kerastase hair care products way cheaper than Oz – plus Vila’s best selection of wines and the aforementioned baby food. Vila Distribution is the agent for many imported beers, wines, Champagnes and spirits including Corona Heineken, Moet, Shaw & Smith and several others. Look out for their retail store in town too – Vila Bottle Shop opposite the Sound Centre.
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HAVE A FLUTTER There are three casinos in Port Vila, but the longest established and preferred by the locals is Palms Casino, located at the Holiday Inn Resort. Managed by a team of internationally trained casino experts with friendly croupiers, you can enjoy a drink or two in a relaxed, comfortable setting while you try your luck on the tables. For guests staying at Holiday Inn it’s an easy walk to Palms Casino, for those in town, grab a taxi (should cost around 300-500 vatu). Palms Casino offers premium gaming facilities for both tables and slot players. Open 7 days a week from 11:30 am until late.
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.
Try one of our many fantastic restaurants, go shopping, try your luck at a casino or hire a car and explore the island.
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ELEGANT BEAUTY Vanuatu’s favourite jeweller, Vanuatu Bijouterie (opened in 1981) specialises in the finest gemstones and Tahitian pearls available in Vanuatu. As well as these, Vanuatu Bijouterie offers semiprecious stones, local coral and other minerals and metals cut and polished at their Port Vila workshop every day, the end result being exquisite art for the discerning buyer. Quality is assured with 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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GET OUT THERE 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, 7.30 am - 5.00 pm, Just ring and they will deliver. +678 26 515 or 26 512.
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FOLLOW THE LOCALS The Warhorse Saloon Restaurant and Bar is under new ownership and with it, major expansions are underway. A new beer garden, bar and restaurant area has seen the Warhorse double in size, but with the same great team looking after you. This is one of Port Vila’s best bars, preferred by locals and visitors alike, the Warhorse is located on the Wharf Road about five minutes from the CBD. The Warhorse restaurant has good tucker too – from pub favourites such as steak and chips, to the best of Mexico with tacos, nachos, quesadilla, burritos and of course margaritas. What’s great about the
Warhorse is it caters for all – from families for dinner, to those proud and loud All Blacks supporters (every game is live on several screens throughout the Warhorse) to those who enjoy live music. The local bands at the Warhorse are the best in Vanuatu and the service is second to none. If you’re in Vanuatu for a wedding, have your hens or bucks night at the Warhorse, it’s a great, friendly atmosphere and you’ll get to meet plenty of locals too. The Warhorse Saloon Restaurant and Bar is open seven days and nights – you can even grab a morning coffee there to take with you as you explore all of the offerings Port Vila has. Enjoy and say hi to Ronald!
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Kai Kai
Cooking In Paradise Francesca Grillo from Francesca’s Beach Club shares some of her favourite recipes straight from the herb garden.
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rom the dreams of a little girl to the sweet memories of an old couple, the wedding day is the most important day of a lifetime and the food selected must be up to the task. When in Rome, it is easy to do as the Roman’s do given the Italian centuries-old tradition of food and the same can be said in a lot of countries that have developed a sophisticated culinary scene like Australia and New Zealand but, how do we translate the most important celebration of love into a Vanuatu wedding banquet? As a restaurateur who has dedicated much attention to romantic ambience for couples in designing and building my place, I have been giving much thought to these crucial aspects of my business and I will share a few hints and recipes here. I believe the most important things to take into account are: using Vanuatu fresh produce, delivering gorgeous presentation while keeping a celebratory atmosphere and keeping an eye on costs. With that in mind I have created wedding menus that include our fabulous fresh fish like yellow fin tuna, poulet, mahi mahi and local lobsters, the much renowned Vanuatu beef and veal and our gorgeous Teouma river prawns and free range chickens. On the green side I always work with the produce available at local markets like tomatoes, capsicum, chili, limes, watercress and lettuce, amazing herbs and every variety of tubers you can think of. All complemented by the most juicy and healthy tropical fruits and the best Vanuatu coconut oil to cook with. From elegant single plated entrées and desserts to banquetstyle serves for pasta and mains that please both the eye and the wallet, all is designed to enjoy, interact with and to make the wedding reception an unforgettable experience of tastes, love and celebration. Marinated raw tuna on watercress sprigs, crumbed prawns fried in extra virgin coconut oil, seafood ravioli, veal meatloaf, roast beef, pannacotta with passionfruit coulis, when it comes to recipes there are too many to share here, but I’m eager to reveal small secrets of taste and decoration.
Parmesan Cheese Croutons
Line a tin with baking paper, drop ¼ teaspoon of olive oil in a spot, cover with 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese and spread it to make a circle of about 5cm diameter. Add a small pinch
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of pepper and bake at 205 C for 5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese is melted and starts to form bubbles. Cool and use to decorate pasta dishes to impress and add crunch and flavour.
Cocktail Sauce
For an old classic to serve with prawn cocktails or other seafood, mix together ½ cup of good mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of ketchup, 5 drops of tabasco, ¼ teaspoon of brandy and salt and pepper to taste. Escape the world, return to basics, enjoy and celebrate a memorable wedding banquet … do it as we do it in Vanuatu !
Stockists Vanuatu Bijouterie, Port Vila Ph: 776 8750 Prouds Duty Free, Port Vila Ph: 22 233 Vila Distribution - Port Vila, Ph: 22 882 Urbane, Ph: 774 7666 ETAM, Ph: 27547
Pig Tusk POA, Vanuatu Bijouterie
Selected Necklaces Available at TRUC, Vila Handicraft Market
Favourite finds
e l y t s u t a u Van
Moet Chandon 7,500VT, Vila Distribution
Styled by Rebecca Worsp.l
Dermalogica Protection Sport SPF50 4,500VT, Urbane
Boots 6,900vt, Skirt 4,900vt, ETAM
Pandora Turtle Charm AU RRP $69 DF, us AU$59, Ocean Starfish Charm AU RRP $89 DF, us AU$78, Sparkling Snake Charm AU RRP $59 DF, us AU$49, Teal Shining Elegance Spacer AU RRP $59 DF, us AU$49, Prouds
Pandora Tropical Parrot Hanging Charm AU RRP $65 DF, us AU$55, Shimmering Ring AU RRP $149 DF, us AU$129, Prouds islandlivingVanuatu | 7
EKASUP CULTURAL VILLAGE
Established in Port Vila 25 years ago, Vanuatu Agricultural Supplies is Vanuatu’s most trusted agricultural and horticultural supplies business. Vanuatu Agricultural Supplies can quote on your building project, from water supply to alternative power sources.
Hidden Treasure of the Pacific
THE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE Learn about... Our Native Culture Traditional Medecine The Ways of Ancestors Food Preparation Methods Weaving Mats/Baskets/Hats Famous Melanesian Feast JT91
PO BOX 783-Port Vila-Vanuatu
(+678) 24217/7746734 tatokatours@vanuatu.com.vu
Port Vila Ph: +678 22 376 Fax: +678 23 402 Santo Ph/Fax: +678 36756 E: ben.vasvila@vanuatu.com.vu
www.vanuatutourism.com/ekasup.html
Certificate of Excellence
THE ESSENTIAL
VANUATU
The definitive guide to Vanuatu culture, commerce, tourism and adventure. The perfect souvenir for travellers or the essential guide for residents or expatriates. Available at Vanuatu Post or Stop Press or see: theessentialvanuatu.com
VANU ATU THE
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CULTU RE I CO MMER CE I TO URISM I ADV ENTU RE
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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