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travel
news review
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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.
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