Pacific Insider
There's no time like 'island time'…

This is an excellent deal – kids under 12 can fly return to Vanuatu from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne for $199 return including taxes. Travel dates are February 1 to March 29 and there is only one possible drawback – an adult has to go along as well – they offer great Vanuatu value for [...]

Multi-platinum selling artist Deni Hines will be performing at the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji on Christmas Day.  She will perform some of her hits and classics on the Ocean Deck.  Now, did you know that her ‘real’ first name is Dohnyale?

As you can see from the photo, Fiji’s Treasure Island is simply stunning.  For a while there, however, the wheels fell off the day-to-day running of the resort.  Looks like all is back and fine now – this email to Small Guide Travel’s Fiji specialist, Mandi from guest, Andrea… “Hi Mandi. Thank you so much [...]

Likuliku Resort in the Mamanuca island group is one of Fiji’s finest resorts and for travel to end March 2012 (apart from December 19 to January 6) they are offering a Beachfront upgrade from a Garden Bungalow if available at the time of booking.  On a five night stay, that’s a saving of $1500… and [...]

To many the coconut is a novelty.  But, in the Pacific, the coconut palm is known as the ‘tree of life’.  It gives shade and shelter, food and fabric… and no part of the tree is wasted - the trunk can be fashioned into a canoe or a bowl, the leaves are woven into baskets or matted together for roofing [...]

Quick update on Royal Takitumu Villas in the Cook Islands. Flat screen TVs are now in all the villas (with DVD players on request) and there are I-Pod docking stations with CD [player in all villas) and new Sealy Posturepedic pillow top beds will be delivered before Christmas. No changes out front – just the [...]

While the Union Jack is still part of the Cook Islands flag, the Queen of England has little to do with the running of the country but she, and the Royal Family, are held in high regard and with affection. There is still a public holiday for the Queen’s Birthday, and Queen Elizabeth’s head still [...]

This weekend is the Nambawan Game Fishing Classic in Port Vila – to sign up (and renew membership) head to the terrace at the Brewery Bar & Restaurant for drinks and nibblies from 6:30pm this Thursday. Samantha Vale – samantha.vale@mac.com

Hair braiding is popular with a lot of tourists that visit the Pacific, and it is a fun way to show those back home that you’ve been on tropical holiday. Depending on the thickness, and length of your hair, it takes about an hour and you can get it done some days at the larger [...]

Tipping is not expected in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa or the Cook Islands. Yes, some waiters and taxi drivers are learning to ‘hover’ but it isn’t the thing to do.  Tip with a smile and a thank you.  Melanesian and Polynesian custom says that if you give something for nothing, the person receiving owes you – that’s how [...]