When you first look at the Vanuatu coat of arms and you may only see a ni-Vanuatu man with a spear and a motto in Bislama but there’s much more to it. A lot of thought went into the design. A committee designed it for independence in 1980. The brief was to come up with something that would unite 83 islands, more than 100 cultures and languages, various political parties, 10 Christian denominations (and other faiths) and the bizarre colonial, condominium past. It was a big ask! The detailed aspects are:

• The Man: He is ni-Vanuatu, Melanesian and a chief.
• The Spear: This represents the man’s role as defender and protector of his people
• Armbands: These are ‘shell money’ denoting his role as a dealer in economic exchanges and distributor of services, goods and resources.
• Headdress: Along with the loincloth these represent the many modes of dress found throughout the country.
• The Land: The man stands with both feet firmly on the soil of his land.
• The Mele: The crossed cyclad leaves signify peace.
• The Tusk: The circular pig tusk symbolizes unity, wealth, prosperity and authority.
• The Mat: The mat in front of the man symbolises the importance of agriculture as well as the importance of women’s labour and their role in managing the agricultural economy.
• The Motto: “Long God Yumi Stanap” means more than just “we believe in God”. It is a reminder to give back to God, in sacrifice, all that he has bestowed upon the people.

Kava is a muddy little treasure, pleasure, experiment or tropical dare. It also called ‘yaqona’ in Fiji and ‘ava’ in Samoa. It is a legal opiate that comes from grating or grinding the root of the kava plant.

There is a ceremony that goes with kava drinking in Fiji (hand-clapping before and after a shell) – just follow what the locals do. It should be swilled down in one motion, simply because it tastes pretty ordinary and sipping just drags things out. It is a great stress reliever and is useful in healing urinary tract infections and stomach ailments.

How many shells should you have? Probably no more than three at first although some have a motto that kava is like martinis or breasts – one’s too few, three’s too many. Once your lips become numb, you will have had sufficient to be ‘mellow’. Another test is to get up and go for a short walk as kava can also affect the limbs. Vanuatu kava can be more potent than kava in other South Pacific countries.

It can also heighten the senses so some drinkers find bright lights and loud noises annoying. If you find that kava agrees with you, you can take some home with you and kava tablets are available in some pharmacies and health food stores. Kava drinking in resorts is considered a fun activity and no one minds if you decline but if you go to a village in Fiji and are invited to take kava (especially with the Chief) it is considered impolite not to – and, because kava is served in order of status – the Chief will drink first.

Photo: Namale Resort Fiji

‘Island time’ is part of the Pacific’s laid-back fabric and sometimes it can mean that business hours make their own rules, but generally…

In the Cook Islands business hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday and 8:00am to midday on Saturday.

In Samoa business hours are 8:00am to midday and 1:30pm to 4:30pm Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings from 8:00am to midday. The post office doesn’t have a ‘siesta’ and opens 9:00am to 4:30pm. Government offices close on Saturday.

In Vanuatu it can all be a bit confusing for the visitor. Offices are generally open from 7:30am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. Shops open from 8:00am to 11:30am and from 1:30pm to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday and 8:00 to midday on Saturday. Banks open from 8:00 to 3:00pm Monday to Friday and the Post Office from 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday, 7:30 to midday Saturday. Supermarkets and cafes stay open all day and the Port Vila markets open 24 hours, closing only from midday Saturday to Monday morning.

In Fiji business hours hold few surprises, so long as you’re prepared for a slower pace than at home. As the saying goes, the coconut will fall when it is ripe.

The Fiji government has taken a firm stand on the legalities of getting married for visiting couples. For a while they were allowing resort wedding coordinators lodge paperwork but no longer. Couples have to go to the registry office on the mainland in person with original documentation (passports, birth certificates, divorce papers/death certificate if applicable). Denarau resorts arrange transfers to the office in Nadi and Coral Coast resorts to the office in Sigatoka.

The only time it becomes a hassle is if you are having an island wedding and flight times don’t match up with registry office hours and launch transfers. An early afternoon arrival should give time for both to avoid a night in Nadi before heading to the island. The registry office closes at 4pm Monday to Friday. While launch transfers back in from an island may only take an hour or so, there are only a few transfers each day so it is a waste of time and money to return from the island just to do the paperwork.

Couples also have to attend the registry office in person in the Cook Islands. In Vanuatu there’s no need to visit the registry office in person because we lodge copies of the documentation required before you arrive so all is ready to go on the Big Day.

Photo: Castaway Island couple

In the Cook Islands you’ll find some three pronged plugs (same as in Australia and New Zealand), mainly on air-conditioners and power tools. Others are two-prong so, if you require power, invest in an adapter (you can probably buy at the airport). Some resorts have 110v for electric shavers.

In Samoa – Electricity is 240 volt with 3 prong angular plugs (same as Australia and New Zealand).

In Fiji the current is also 240 volts and outlets take three-pins – (as in Australia and New Zealand). Leading hotels and resorts have universal outlets for 240v or 110v appliances, or 110v adapters. Some resorts generate their own electricity and if they kick in and out, bedside digital clocks will need resetting. As nice as ‘island time’ is, it doesn’t apply to missing a flight!

In Vanuatu it is 220-280 volts AC with mainly three-point plugs in hotels (same as Australia & New Zealand). Some places, built by the French, take European two point plugs. If resorts have these, they will have adapters at reception. Adapters can also be bought at Fung Kuei (airport end of town).

Photo: Fung Kuei in Vanuatu from Trip Advisor