110 | June• 2019V
anuatu is an archipelago of 83
tropical islands, including tiny,
uninhabited rocky clusters.
Former accountant Charlot Salwai is
the country’s elected Prime Minister.
One of the major attractions in
Vanuatu is Yasur, one of the world’s
smallest active volcanoes. It’s an
easy, short uphill walk to the lip of
the crater where a downwards gaze
reveals flaming rocks that are hurled
up from the bowels of the Earth.
The local airline, Air Vanuatu,
flies to Australia, New Zealand andregional d estinations. Attractions
include d iving to explore old ship-
wrecks, snorkelling, fishing, dinner
cruises and trips to visit caves and
remote traditional villages.
Tourists visit Port Vila, the capital, to
browse in souvenir shops and handi-
crafts stalls as well as boutiques spe-
cialising in tropical fashions. Most
visitors try a muddy drink called kava,
made from the pounded roots of a
member of the pepper family. K ava,
sold in shops, is a legal soporific and
mild narcotic.Vanuatu
ANNUAL VISITORS LAST YEAR: UPWARDS OF 95,000
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES