travel news review


7 April '99
Each April, as soon as the first yam crops begin to emerge, islanders on Vanuatu's Pentecost Island begin building towers in preparation for the spectacularly frightening naghol, or land diving. Men and boys jump from the towers, which are about 20m (65ft) high, with only two long, elastic vines to break their fall. It is believed that the ritual leap into oblivion guarantees a bountiful yam harvest. Diving sites at Pangi and Rangususu in southern Pentecost have been set aside mainly for tourists, with dives taking place once a week during April and May. Tours to the island can be organised from the capital Port Vila. And if you are thinking of taking the big dive yourself, a bungy jump in New Zealand might be the next best thing as no outsiders are permitted to dive in Vanuatu.

9 March '99
A new study by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has revealed a dramatic increase in the vulnerability of hundreds of islands in South Pacific due to rising sea levels. As worldwide greenhouse emissions contribute to sea level rise, continually increasing levels of emissions could be devastating for many South Pacific islands, some of which are now no more than 1.5m (5 ft) above sea level. The study calls on developing nations to make substantial cuts to their emission levels to ensure the survival of these smaller low-lying Pacific Islands.

8 April '98
Qantas and Solomon Airlines will increase their number of services between the Solomon Islands capital Honiara and Brisbane. Both airlines will now offer five flights a week.

18 February '98
Fiji and the Solomon Islands currencies have been devalued by 20% against the US dollar. While the Solomon dollar devalued following a slump in timber exports, Fiji claims its 20% cut was an attempt to compete with popular tourist destinations in South East-Asia such as Indonesia, whose currencies have plunged dramatically. It is speculated that Samoa, Vanuatu and Tonga may follow suit.