Müller family donates rare works and photos to Unicamp then director of the Institute of Language Studies (IEL) at Unicamp Joaquim Müller Carioba asks that the donation be received “as proof of the rooting in the land that welcomed Franz Muller so well and that he loved so much” came 48 photos recording phases of fabric manufacturing and cotton planting in Carioba Historians Maria Dutra Lima and Roberta Botelho almost all of which were created by photographer Otto Rudolf Quaas and dated to the first two decades of the 20th century images by ivo tavares studio upon approaching ren ito‘s calçada house visitors pass beneath a rebuilt entrance gate followed by a grapevine trellis this footpath leads toward the newly completed extension of the historic dwelling part with its entrance hall and bedroom the ground floor of the main house hosts residential gathering spaces while the upper level houses the bedrooms the main house is organized in plan as a cross shape with a centralized stair hall with design-minded attention toward reinterpreting the stairs as sculptural centerpieces ren ito’s calçada house is neighbored by an idyllic garden on the north along with a grapevine-covered courtyard to the south is enclosed by an expressive roof defined by its monumental structure of exposed timber the guest house spans two levels connected by another sculptural stair together with an outdoor kitchen and swimming pool this guest house is coupled by an annex building which serves as a pool house and garden storage architecture: ren ito photography: ivo tavares studio happening now! partnering with antonio citterio, AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function, but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style, context, and personal expression. A gated, six-bedroom mansion situated on the Biscayne Bay waterfront just closed today for $8,550,000. Check out Vila Paraiso at 5310 North Bay Road in Miami Beach, a palatial home with Georgian-inspired design. The 8,148-square-foot home includes a theatre and a 5000-bottle wine room. Also impressive: the view from that sparkling pool. Darin Tansey & Brett Harris with Douglas Elliman represented the seller of Vila Paraiso. it’s more than worth the investment of time (The trip from New York was about 27 hours and consisted of two flights followed by a 3+ hour car ride from there to Barreirinhas and finally a magical 1+ hour midnight ferry ride on the Preguiças (Lazy) River.) Even within Brazil the time to go is right now because this uncut jewel is becoming ever more polished and attractive to visitors Reception at Vila Guará.Photo: Frederic Ronflard / Courtesy of Vila Guará.Atins is a very small town in a state of transition “Se Vende” (For Sale) signs are painted on many homes even when they pay tribute to local materials and traditions stand apart from the rusticity of the place Atin’s tourism—which looks set to become supercharged in the not too distant future—has become its people’s main livelihood Right now there are no paved streets or street signs and when I ran to a small market to buy water one night my escort home was a family of mules The church in Atins.Photo: Courtesy of La Ferme de GeorgesNature is the town’s main draw; people come specifically to kite surf and visit the incredible Lençóis Maranhenses National Park with its lunar-like landscape of quartz-sand dunes among which clear water lagoons form during the rainy season (February-May) There are many ways to experience this unique ecosystem: on foot “It’s regular that people come back from the park crying an expatriate Frenchman who has lived in Atins for nearly two years and was our local savant and wifi (pronounced wee-fee in town) usually doesn’t work well in paradises.” In fact where they bought land and became hoteliers Walking a similar path are a group of French and Brazilian friends who will open a restaurant and inn in June called Lagoa do Vento but nothing compared to Atins: “There is not only a paradise beach there is the park of Lençóis Maranhenses,” Vidal says “and that makes the whole difference among all the other paradise beaches.” A small slice of paradise.Photo: Courtesy of Bar.coMany predict that Atins will become the next Cumbuco or Jijoca de Jericoacoara notes one of Lagoa do Vento’s silent partners,“but it’s still paradise here It’s very virgin and it’s why we came here to find the peace and the good vibes.” Freedom is the word and a feeling that permeates this beautiful isolated place that is almost as far away as the moon—and makes you feel very close to the stars There are nine white-walled chalets on the property (specially designed to be cooled by the wind rather than air conditioning) La Ferme has an organic farm; its bounty is used in the restaurant An open-air room at La Ferme de Georges.Photo: Courtesy of La Ferme de GeorgesVila GuaráBoasting a prime beach-side location Vila Guará has accommodations alongside a fancy restaurant/bar VG is also the base for AKB Atins Kiteboarding Vila Guará Restaurant and Bar,Photo: Eudes Santana / Courtesy of Vila Guará Restaurant and BarLagoa do VentoSoon to open Lagoa do Vento is located about 30 meters from the beach and will offer accommodation with beach views Pizzeria MaresiaThis popular spot close to the beach is owned and run by an expatriate Italian there’s more than pizza on the menu (the carpaccio roast beef comes recommended) the gelato (available in flavors including avocado) is made daily Everything is prepared in-house and served in a tropical garden with tables placed under lighted palm trees that seem to sway in time with the well-chosen playlist Pizzeria Maresia.Photo: Courtesy of Maresia AtinsCéu AbertoOrder the “moqueca,” a traditional North Eastern Brazilian dish at this restaurant owned by a local family Lar Doce MarA traditional beach “barraca” (hut) located in the middle of the kite action Bar.coAlso located beachside is Bar.co Run by an Ibizan who serves a special caipirinha made of passion fruit and some Brazilian pink flowers Bar.co on the beach.Photo: Courtesy of Bar.coCanto do AtinsYou’ll find big Restaurante da SeseDon’t miss the shrimp risotto in pineapple here Restaraunte Estresse ZeroLocated on the beach this place was a favorite among some of the Mareh DJs Sempre AtinsExpatriate Facundo Menossiand local horse lover Oziel The horses are lively and the landscape incomparable Ask your hotel to arrange transfers (car and boat) from the airport to Atins and back again. Portuguese is the langua franca in Atins; Google Translate can smooth your way. The incredibly fine quartzose sand gets incredibly hot. Sandals are fine for the beach but if you’re walking to lunch, more covered up slip-ons, like espadrilles, are a better bet. You can usually stop a passing quad on the street and negotiate a price for a ride. WhatsApp is the preferred form of communication in Atins, and Vidal recommends getting your driver’s handle for future use. There are no cash machines in the town so payment for transportation, and nearly everything else, is in cash. Destaque de apresentação da Vila Isabel na madrugada de segunda para terça-feira de carnaval no Rio - Dhavid Normando / Rio Carnaval The second night of the Special Group of Samba schools at Rio’s Carnival gave way to the celebration of Blackness Paraíso do Tuiuti and Viradouro) presented plots related to Black people or themes in the early hours of Monday (12) to Tuesday which closed the night's parades with a storyline rooted in African history and culture is one of the main favorites for winning the title of best Samba school of 2024 according to journalist and Carnival parade expert Luiz Gustavo Thomaz which was chosen as the best school by the jury of the traditional Estandarte de Ouro award offered by the Brazilian newspaper O Globo which reworked a historical plot about the creation of humanity with references to African religions The 2024 Rio Carnival champion will be known today (14). The counting of scores begins at 4 pm (local time). The six schools that performed on the second night of the parade are competing for the title with those that performed between Sunday night and Monday dawn Mocidade opened the second night of the Special Group of Samba schools by getting the Sapucaí (the avenue where the parades take place) to sing the most popular samba-enredo (the schools’ theme song) of Rio Carnival 2024 The six-time champion wants to win the title again with a storyline about the tropical fruit cashew Named “Pede Caju Que Dou… Pé de Caju Que Dá!” was a starting point to talk about Brazil’s native peoples the Tropicalist movement and Brazilianness highlighting artists such as Brazilian painter Tarsila do Amaral and the Frenchman Jean Baptiste Debret the members shared with the public the same joy presented in the samba-enredo and some sectors had to slow down at the end of the parade to avoid exceeding the time limit of one hour and ten minutes which could compromise part of the evaluation Portela is the Samba school with the most titles in Rio but was the tenth in Rio’s 2023 Carnival The school went to the avenue to show the strength of Black women in Brazil The storyline “Um Defeito de Cor” was based on the book of the same name by Ana Maria Gonçalves It paraded in the Sapucaí a new perspective on history retracing the imagined life of Luisa Mahin a woman of African origin who played a fundamental role in bringing together enslaved people in Brazil in the 19th century and the mother of abolitionist Luiz Gama One of the cars featured 16 mothers who had lost their children to violence who was murdered in the city of Rio de Janeiro in 2016 Portela also had problems that could compromise the judges' scores The first car had problems entering Sapucaí and went down the avenue with broken sculptures at least another car had its structure damaged during the presentation the school also had difficulties with the beginning of the parade Vila Isabel brought to the public a plot first presented in 1993: Gbala: Viagem ao Templo da Criação (“Gbala: Journey to the Temple of Creation,” in a rough translation) whose samba-enredo was written by Martinho da Vila The plot used references from African religions to talk about the creation of humanity which was assigned to take care of the planet's creatures but failed in its mission Children were then summoned to protect the planet with their innocence With a parade conceived by carnavalesco (“Carnival designer” a four-time champion of Rio's Special Group and known for his creative solutions and inventions the school could see its score decrease regarding a couple of dancers known as “mestre-sala” and “porta bandeira” who took to the avenue in costumes with LED lights that did not work properly told the story of the life and work of the distinguished singer Alcione With the storyline “A Negra Voz do Amanhã” (“The Black Voice of Tomorrow” the traditional green-and-pink Samba school sang about the importance of "Marrom" – Alcione’s nickname – for Brazil’s women and highlighted aspects of Maranhão’s culture She took part in the "warm-up" at the start of the parade and was featured on one of the cars The parade was marked by the emotion of many of Alcione’s friends who took to the Sapucaí to pay tribute to the singer Maria Bethânia was one of Alcione’s friends who participated in the parade which has one of the most passionate fans at Rio’s Carnival crossed the Sapucaí under much applause the fight for the title may be distant due to some problems the Samba school had during the parade There were also problems with dispersal: one person fell from a car but received medical care and is fine Paraíso de Tuiuti was the biggest surprise of the Carnival finishing in runner-up position with a storyline about the 130th anniversary of the “Lei Áurea” the law that freed Black enslaved people in Brazil the Samba school decided to talk about the resistance of Black people again With the storyline “Glory to the Black Admiral!” the school paid homage to João Cândido who led the so-called “Revolta da Chibata” a mutiny of Black sailors against physical punishment at the beginning of the 20th century the riot ended with João Cândido's expulsion from the Navy the school recalled various racism cases in Brazil in recent years João Cândido was represented by Max Ângelo dos Santos a delivery man who was beaten with a whip by a woman in Rio de Janeiro in April 2023 the Samba school – which is considered a "small" one – won’t probably have problems in the fight against relegation The expert pointed out minor problems at the end of the parade but highlighted the drums as one of the best performing at Sapucaí in 2024 Viradouro closed the Rio Special Group parades in 2024 with yet another celebration of the strength of Black women Dangbé” was about the cult of the serpent vodun in the region currently known as Benin "The loyalty of sisters of color lives in me," sang the school Viradouro closed the festivities in Sapucaí as the day dawned on Tuesday in an almost flawless parade and is at the front of the race for the title "Viradouro won't be the champion unless a surprise happens Imperatriz and Grande Rio are dreaming of the title but they have to dream a lot because Viradouro was irreproachable," said Luiz Gustavo Thomaz All original content produced and editorially authored by Brasil de Fato may be reproduced provided it is not altered and proper credit is given All original content produced and editorially authored by Brasil de Fato may be reproduced 28 July, 2020 By has been selected to construct the extension of Porto Metro in Portugal worth €288M (£259M) The project consists of two contracts: a 3.15km extension of the Yellow line in the form of dual-track light rail from Santo Olvido station to serve the districts of Vila Nova de Gaia It also includes the construction of a viaduct The consortium was named preferred bidder earlier this month The second contract refers to the construction of a new circular line measuring 3.1km between Praça da Liberdade and Casa da Música This new Pink line involves the construction of four new stations and three ventilation shafts as well as installing the line and catenary Work is expected to begin later this year with the Yellow line extension completed in 34 months while the construction of the Pink line will take at most 42 months Want to read more? Subscribe to GE’s enewsletters and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn The election to appoint three new members to the British Geotechnical Association (BGA) executive committee is now under way Voting is open to all BGA members and will close at 5pm on 30 May 2025 Ground Engineering magazine is preparing to launch the 2025 GE100 survey which will once again identify the biggest players and key trends in the UK geotechnical sector Glasgow’s £15bn Clyde Metro has taken a step forward with the appointment of Mott MacDonald which will provide consultancy services for key stages of the project Caledonian Maritime Assets is seeking a contractor to carry out ground investigations (GI) for a major project to upgrade ferry fleets and associated infrastructure on the west coast of Scotland Sign in or Register a new account to join the discussion Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time smashed Vanuatu just as it was recovering off the back of one of the world’s longest COVID closures at 833 days But this island nation is back with a vengeance Not only have old experiences been given a flirty facelift Mouthwash-blue water along Champagne Beach.Credit: Vanuatu Tourism Office While the Australian-owned Eden on the River is renowned for its activities featuring gushing waterfalls that tumble into swimming pools below, suspension bridges and a zipline, there’s a new experience for those who wish to add some culture to the adventure. Learn to cook (and eat) what the locals call their “spring roll”: Simporo made from the root vegetable cassava, wrapped in island cabbage and boiled in coconut milk. See edenvanuatu.com Local market vendors at Port Vila Markets.Credit: Vanuatu Tourism Office It’s an institution of the Vanuatu capital to wade through rows of fruit and vegetables at the Port Vila Central Markets peddled by chattering mammas in their loud floral island dresses Now you can also dine here on street food such as rice and chicken for less than $10 at kitchens and tables established along the waterfront Vanuatu-born, New Zealand-raised Greg Mitchell has returned home to put his stamp on the tourism industry with this new venture of 40 electric bikes available for hire. With a top speed of 30 km/h and a 70-kilometre range, far enough to ride from Vila to the famous Blue Lagoon, the bikes can cover hundreds of tracks to discover the magic of Efate island. See ebikesvanuatu.com Drive past pretty plantations of coconut trees under which rest herds of cows and just before you hit the Blue Hole, you’ll find this beach club. There’s no DJ pumping music: rather, you’ll hear the roar of the ocean as it empties into some Instagram-worthy tidal pools. Expect cold Tusker beer and cafe staples such as toasted sandwiches in between swims here. See vanuatu.travel/en/banana-bay-beach-club Tourists taking the plunge at Vanuatu Jungle Zipline.Credit: Vanuatu Tourism Office Poolside at glamping favourite Turtle Bay Lodge Jackie’s Blue Hole).Credit: Vanuatu Tourism Office Having your head in the sand has never been better at this new beachfront massage hut at Santo’s Port Olry Beach At Chez Louis Restaurant you’ll find a basic bamboo beach hut with three massage tables and three enterprising women who make their own coconut oil to soothe your muscles to the soundtrack of the ocean and the proceeds supporting the local village The writer travelled as a guest of Vanuatu Tourism Air Vanuatu and the Fondation Suzanne Bastien. Find great holiday deals for Vanuatu at MyVanuatu.com.au Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now smashed Vanuatu just as it was recovering off the back of one of the world\\u2019s longest COVID closures at 833 days Kiwi Andy Martin used the pandemic to rebrand his business from Tropic Thunder Jet to Watersports Port Vila While the jet boat (the only one in Vanuatu) is still part of the business there\\u2019s a few new exciting additions In May last year Martin launched The Haa Bar Cruise the only one in the capital that captures the sunset A Pirates Treasure Hunt snorkel trip aimed at kids (and those who are kids at heart) encouraging them to scour the harbour for lost gems Coming soon: Coral Explorer Snorkel Tours of Mele Bay for more advanced snorkellers While the Australian-owned Eden on the River is renowned for its activities featuring gushing waterfalls that tumble into swimming pools below there\\u2019s a new experience for those who wish to add some culture to the adventure Learn to cook (and eat) what the locals call their \\u201Cspring roll\\u201D: Simporo made from the root vegetable cassava wrapped in island cabbage and boiled in coconut milk It\\u2019s an institution of the Vanuatu capital to wade through rows of fruit and vegetables at the Port Vila Central Markets peddled by chattering mammas in their loud floral island dresses New Zealand-raised Greg Mitchell has returned home to put his stamp on the tourism industry with this new venture of 40 electric bikes available for hire With a top speed of 30 km/h and a 70-kilometre range far enough to ride from Vila to the famous Blue Lagoon the bikes can cover hundreds of tracks to discover the magic of Efate island Vanuatu boasts 83 islands and two distilleries started five years ago but just opened its doors to tours and tastings in December 2022 are some interesting liqueurs such as Pomello and Orangecello which you can try while perched along a bar overlooking Efate\\u2019s second lagoon at Stella Mare Drive past pretty plantations of coconut trees under which rest herds of cows and just before you hit the Blue Hole you\\u2019ll hear the roar of the ocean as it empties into some Instagram-worthy tidal pools Expect cold Tusker beer and cafe staples such as toasted sandwiches in between swims here has been a firm fixture across the skyline since 2012 walk through lush rainforest to amble along this 65-metre-high bridge Peek down and you\\u2019ll witness a 10,000-year-old coral reef ridgeline that has formed a canyon with a series of waterfalls a Giant Swing will also open on the property This enterprising company is also poised to launch a new Sunset Sail and Glass Bottom Boat Snorkelling tour in Port Vila Harbour Vanuatu is home to copious nakamals; traditional meeting places in which the community gathers to drink kava but this new offering brings a contemporary slant to consuming the nation\\u2019s beloved tipple While The Kava Company opened in 1999 and The Kava House in 2009 on the same premises upmarket L\\u2019Espadon has now opened its doors with a white double-storey building overlooking Mele Bay Drink Kava Company brews here or try classic spirits before a stint on the dance floor Sydneysiders may recognise the names Joel Slattery and Antoun Jabbour from their previous cafe the couple bought land on Moso Island on the northwest coast off Efate with plans to build a holiday home That idea exploded into a bistro and five villas Fast-forward and now 10 adult-only boutique beach shacks Sleep in these white-walled villas or relax in the newly opened two-room Blossom Day Spa It takes a clown to decide to build glamping tents on Santo but that\\u2019s exactly what Western Australia\\u2019s Lunar Circus head honcho Matt Yates and his partner Louise Moss have done Yates and Moss bought what was then a backpacker joint and transformed it into a boutique resort they\\u2019ve added five adult-only marquees Slumber in these elegant tents just steps from the beach replete with stripey Melbourne-style beach-shack bathrooms and corrugated iron semi-outdoor showers Norwegian couple Anna Nesheim and Petter Lambine scoured tropical islands around the world to find the ideal location for a block of land on which they could build four bungalows their choice also had the perfect reef just offshore allowing them to open not only South Pacific Memories accommodation in 2022 but a PADI-accredited dive centre Indulge in a three-day learn-to-dive course straight offshore on Anna\\u2019s Reef: home to Dugong Alley Drive past fields of sweet potato and taro onto this 7.5 hectare family-owned property that overlooks Nando Blue Hole or simply visit for the day on this tour which includes a custom dance Bring your swimmers and snorkel as this 20-metre-deep crystal clear hole is teeming with fish Having your head in the sand has never been better at this new beachfront massage hut at Santo\\u2019s Port Olry Beach At Chez Louis Restaurant you\\u2019ll find a basic bamboo beach hut with three massage tables and three enterprising women who make their own coconut oil to soothe your muscles to the soundtrack of the ocean The writer travelled as a guest of and the The secret WWII magazine ridiculing Hitler's motherHiding in an attic, Jewish man Curt Bloch found inspiration through crafting anti-Nazi parody. 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Why you might be younger than you think you areThere is a difference between our chronological and biological age, which we have the power to control. The RNLI spoke to nearly 3,000 pupils about how to best stay safe on the beach. The RNLI and Surf Life Saving GB offer advice as they anticipate a busy weekend on the beaches. The white Ferris wheel on the Esplanade in Weymouth will stand up to 33m (108ft) tall. The wide path has been made using recycled materials and connects the forest and beach at Holkham. The volunteers say seven bags of waste were removed from the dunes after the recent warm spell. For the best meat ever and the rustic charm RESERVE YOUR TABLE NOW Can Muson de Sa Vila is one of those restaurants that seems to give you a big hug when you enter it's set in a traditional Ibizan farmhouse adorned with a big shock of bougainvillea at the entrance way It's located on the San Juan road near San Lorenzo and when you see those pretty pink flowers you'll want to stop by. Outside areas for relaxed dining are at the front and back where an open courtyard offers peace and tranquillity is Argentinian and knows a thing or two about running restaurants having grown up in that world - her parents are seasoned restaurateurs including how to prepare it for maximum taste and tenderness and importantly an open hearth where the meat is cooked over wood to perfection and a selection of framed paintings on one of the ceilings lend it a charm and an authenticity that can be lacking restaurants with more modern design This is a place to come with friends or family and feast from the cheery hello from the waiting staff and the professional A nicely curated soundtrack is the perfect backdrop for relaxation and with lots of choice where to eat you can almost pick your own vibe and space you'll want to be by the warming open fire It's clear that Marisa has leaned on her knowledge of how to do a good restaurant and has created not just a place to eat you can pop in for a drink and escape the world and even have a chat with the staff It wouldn't be right to not try a delicious empanada which in Argentina are filled with a splendour of fillings On to the mains and an homage to Marisa's parents' restaurant with a cut of entrecote steak from Extremaduran cattle that roam freely revealing a taste of the meat feast that was to come Stuffed Extremaduran entrecote steaks - an homage to the owner's parents A huge kebab of skewered chicken was laid in front of us Made with chicken raised in the countryside Huge chunks of breast that's typical of chickens of this type - no scrawny animals here - with peppers and onions from local producers peculiar to their countries of origin and both are worth seeking out It's so tasty that you want to cry with joy Quite how this rare-cooked cut was so tender for its doneness A stuffed roll of the Spanish Secreto Ibérico cut was the second part of the duo Animals feed on acorns for the latter part of their life The tenderness of this sweet-tasting cut was beautifully enhanced with a stuffing of vegetables All that meat needs balance which we were grateful for when a huge platter of roasted local vegetables was served A vast wedge or roasted pineapple was absolutely delicious too At this point usually it's time for dessert and as usual buy clothes with elasticated waists as the Can Muson crescendo was about to roll in vanilla ice cream and Baileys poured on top Cascada de Baileys - a dessert you will gobble up a layer of toffee on top and more vanilla ice was similarly wow Quite how we found ourselves fighting over this pair of puddings with bellies fit to bursting shows you how good they were All in all, we'd give very high marks to Can Muson de Sa Vila just don't count on eating before or after Catch up with all the week's news and updates: Copyright © 1999 - 2025 Ibiza Spotlight S.L We are a member of the PIMEEF - the small and medium business association of Ibiza and Formentera All prices published on the site include VAT .prefix__st0{fill:#333}AccessAccount Our near neighbour offers vibrant food markets Words by · Updated on 05 Mar 2024· Published on 29 Jan 2024 or does it feel harder to dodge the holiday crowds these days wanderlust influencers and digital nomads have turned me into a traveller who spends the entire holiday muttering “bloody tourists” under my breath One place that changed that for me is Port Vila, the vibrant and underrated capital of Vanuatu. Just three hours’ flight from Brisbane and fewer tourists than the hordes found in other places having sunset dinners and getting whole-body massages are just some of the moments that make up a holiday in this slow-paced paradise The busiest place in town is the Port Vila Markets The aunties form a moving sea of colour in their Mother Hubbard-style “island dresses” which pop in shades of magenta and electric green Their colourful garb is matched by rows upon rows of fresh produce: bright green cabbages soil-clad taro freshly plucked from the earth and stringy coconuts ready to be cracked open to accompany lunch A popular option is a steaming slab of laplap the national dish that sees grated root vegetables coconut milk and meat wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an underground oven a doughy bread stuffed with grilled chicken lettuce and a cabbage-laden chilli oil that gave this writer an instant case of the hiccups Eating at the markets is a win-win: you can try classic Ni-Vanuatu dishes and support local chefs many of whom were laid off during the pandemic and started their own businesses here After filling my stomach, it’s a short drive with Atmosphere Tours to Nasama Resort The family-run hotel is kitted out with spacious suites towering palm trees and thatched-roof beach shelters which you can enjoy between kayaking or swimming in the coral pool Its spacious waterfront apartments face the vast Pacific Ocean It’d be easy to spend your entire holiday in the crystal-clear water around Efate Island, which sits on shallow fringing reefs. And that usually starts when you choose your waterfront accommodation, whether it’s Nasama or the locally owned Havannah Eco Lodge I wriggled into my togs and bolted from my room 150 metres across the sand zipping past spiny pandanus trees and launching into the ocean salty water immediately settled into my skin and switched my body clock to island time where you can easily lose a day snorkelling through coral reefs and caves or feasting on fresh fish at the waterfront restaurant a locally run perfumery that’s celebrated for its Vanuatu-made tropical scents and candles Its sleek perfumes – in scents like jasmine and lily or sandalwood and vetiver – are well-priced by Aussie standards and go a long way to support a local female-led business dope-like substance that’s widely available at roadside bars But a bottle of Vanuatu’s Tusker lager under the peachy sunset skies is just as inviting and Banyan Beach Bar is one of the best places in Port Vila to embrace the ritual A bar adorned with fairy lights served icy Margaritas and blistery woodfired pizzas Beanbags and tree stumps lined the sandy shoreline A local band played covers from Bob Marley to Whitney Houston fire performers lit up the dark skies with a show The shoreline was full of celebratory locals feasting families and workers knocking off Fly: Virgin Australia flies direct to Port Vila from Brisbane depending on the month and day of the week Getting around: There are many locally run transport companies in Port Vila but we’d recommend the friendly folks at Atmosphere Tours Stay: You can book waterfront rooms at Nasama Resort via its website The writer travelled as a guest of Virgin Australia and Vanuatu Tourism Office This story is part of The Travel Issue: Wish You Were Here. Holly Bodeker-Smith is Broadsheet’s newsletter editor. More From This SeriesColombo Calling: Seven Reasons Sri Lanka Should Be on Your 2024 Hit List On the Road With Tennis Champ Dylan Alcott: “Don’t Assume People With Disabilities Can’t Travel” My Dad’s a Pilot – Here’s What He Taught Me About Plane Travel Those who are going to follow the samba school parades The samba schools prepare all year to parade at Carnival in Sapucaí But which one will parade first and who will close the show this year there’s something new on the samba catwalk The performances of the Special Group will take place over three days of Carnival check out the schedule with the schools’ days and times It’s already Carnival tradition in Sapucaí: the Gold Series schools parade on Friday and Saturday the Special Group will have three days of performances the following schools are part of the Special Group: Unidos de Padre Miguel The opening act in the Special Group samba schools’ parade is Unidos de Padre Miguel whose storyline is “Egbé Iyá Nassô” The parade is scheduled for 10pm on March 2nd Next to parade their Carnival in Sapucaí is Imperatriz Leopoldinense The school from Ramos crosses the avenue with the storyline “Ómi Tútu ao Olúfon – Água fresca para o senhor de Ifón” The performance starts between 23:30 and 23:40 whose samba tune is “Malunguinho: O Mensageiro de Três Mundos” (Malunguinho: The Messenger of Three Worlds) will be making its mark on the samba catwalk is the last school to parade on Carnival Sunday and its samba is “À Flor da Terra – No Rio da Negritude Entre Dores e Paixões” Carnival in Sapucaí kicks off in full swing with Unidos da Tijuca and Beija-Flor The school from Tijuca will bring Logun-Edé to the avenue while the school from Nilópolis will pay homage to Mestre Laíla one of the biggest names in the school and in Rio carnival Salgueiro will then parade at the turn of the century ‘with a closed body’ Vila Isabel closes the day with a storyline about hauntings For those who are going to follow the Carnival in Sapucaí from start to finish Opening the day’s parades at 10 p.m. Then it’s the turn of Paraíso do Tuiuti who have chosen the plot “Quem Tem Medo de Xica Manicongo” for this year’s carnival Grande Rio will then dive into “Pororocas Parawaras: As Águas dos Meus Encantos nas Contas dos Curimbós” will pay homage to singer Milton Nascimento in its plot “Cantar Será Buscar o Caminho Que Vai Dar no Sol“ if you wanted to know where the party was all you had to do was follow the people with flags in their hair the whole town was snaking its way up to the slopes of Independence Park high above the town; those with thick curly locks just popped the red-yellow-green-and-black national flag into their 'do the more follicular-challenged (like me) tucked it into a cap At the park there was a flag-raising ceremony speeches and food stalls selling local staples such as fried fish and fritters made of yams and taro root To add to the festive vibe a cruise ship was in port adding another few thousand to the island capital's party population There was plenty to celebrate on Vanuatu's 36th birthday the island nation had declared itself open for business after the devastation wrought by Cyclone Pam more than a year earlier The tropical storm was the worst natural disaster in the history of Vanuatu with winds of up to 250km/h flattening several of the 83 islands in the archipelago There are still reminders of the tragedy around – defiant graffiti and piles of roadside rubble – but there is no doubt the island paradise is back and one of the last pieces of the recovery puzzle was the opening of the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu just a short walk from the centre of Port Vila The Holiday Inn is a mix of double rooms and themed family rooms as well as a series of overwater villas that allow guests to step off their balcony into the resort's tranquil lagoon On a tip from a staff member I rise early on my first day and tackle the lagoon at sunrise for an early morning kayak The lagoon is peaceful in the early morning with a veritable constellation of plump thorny starfish on show My only company is a local fisherman who cranks up an old radio playing Polynesian tunes that float across the water; tiny silver fish leap ahead of the bow on my canoe like tiny dolphins ahead of a boat The market in Port Vila is bustling once again.Credit: Alamy It is a far cry from the chaos when Pam hit and when the Holiday Inn played an integral role in keeping its staff and surrounding residents safe concrete affair built in the '70s and it was able to withstand the cyclone so it became a haven for anyone who could make it there But it was far from unscathed and when the storm had passed there was plenty of work to do beaches cleared and the whole resort given a facelift The Holiday Inn is just a short walk from Port Vila so after my kayak and a big breakfast in the verandah restaurant overlooking the waters I had recently conquered It is a 20-minute wander past front-porch barbers and bantams tightrope-walking along thatched roofs My first stop is the Port Vila Market House a bustling market selling local fruit and vegetables Post-Pam this cacophony of sellers touting their baskets full of root vegetables was reduced to just a single table sitting alone under the huge arched roof but now it is once again packed locals dancing by the sea – and it is even a Pokestop (hey Further along the main road is Brewery Bar & Restaurant a recent addition that brews its own boutique beer Nambawan which also means "very good" in the local language porter or reserve – and listen to Something for Kate as you watch utes go nose-to-tail down the Kumul Highway like metal elephants on parade Later that night I have dinner at a Port Vila institution a French restaurant that has been on the island for four decades but as a recovering vegetarian I opt for the garlic coconut crab a local crustacean that looks like an armoured version of the Facehugger from Alien It's seems it is always 1970 at L'Houstalet and if Port Vila had hipsters there would be queues around the corner I sit down later with owner Clement in a white dining room with works from local French painter Aloi Piliol on the walls (he is responsible for the colourful front wall of the Port Vila post office) and we talk about the cyclone "This time I have been saved by the gods but in 1987 I was ruined by Cyclone Uma," says Clement Uma was a similar strength to Pam and wiped out all four of Clement's restaurants He only rebuilt this one and made it cyclone ready L'Houstalet was without power for three days but on the fourth day they opened ready to feed hungry volunteers who were starting the lengthy clean up on the challenges of perfecting his fruit bar recipe and the resilience of the people who live there "You can't lose every time," he laughs as he bids me good night and disappears into the darkness That is a sentiment well worth celebrating discovervanuatu.com.au. Air Vanuatu flies from Brisbane (2½ hours) and Sydney (3½ hours); airvanuatu.com Grab a pizza at the Brewery Restaurant & Bar Port Vila; have a French meal at L,Houstalet Paul Chai was a guest of Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu and Air Vanuatu See also: Airline review: Air Vanuatu business class See also: Port Vila, a three-minute guide curly locks just popped the red-yellow-green-and-black national flag into their 'do To add to the festive vibe a cruise ship was in port adding another few thousand to the island capital's party population There was plenty to celebrate on Vanuatu's 36th birthday There are still reminders of the tragedy around \\u2013 defiant graffiti and piles of roadside rubble \\u2013 but there is no doubt the island paradise is back The Holiday Inn is a mix of double rooms and themed family rooms as well as a series of overwater villas that allow guests to step off their balcony into the resort's tranquil lagoon concrete affair built in the '70s and it was able to withstand the cyclone locals dancing by the sea \\u2013 and it is even a Pokestop (hey porter or reserve \\u2013 and listen to Something for Kate as you watch utes go nose-to-tail down the Kumul Highway like metal elephants on parade It's seems it is always 1970 at L'Houstalet and if Port Vila had hipsters there would be queues around the corner Uma was a similar strength to Pam and wiped out all four of Clement's restaurants L'Houstalet was without power for three days but on the fourth day they opened "You can't lose every time," he laughs as he bids me good night and disappears into the darkness Air Vanuatu flies from Brisbane (2\\u00BD hours) and Sydney (3\\u00BD hours); the Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu is welcoming guests again with a special emphasis on families with a host of activities and a complimentary kids club for kids three to 12 years tennis courts and a gym plus nightly entertainment that includes local fire dancers and dinner under the stars Doubles in a king bed garden view room start from VUV17,860 China has been carefully building its influence across the Pacific But fault lines are starting to emerge in Vanuatu By David Wroe Blue Lagoon on Efate island in Vanuatu.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen a Chinese timber trader who was accused of ripping off locals on the Vanuatu island of Espiritu Santo was severely beaten He spent several days in hospital and was then in the words of a local government official who recounted the incident whom Fairfax Media granted anonymity to speak freely said clashes were becoming more frequent as the Chinese presence was increasingly felt by the Ni-Vanuatu the people native to the small Pacific island nation He went on to say that 99 per cent of average Ni-Vans would be against any plan to establish a Chinese military base in Vanuatu “If you ask the public which country they prefer they will say the US … They have been around the Chinese so long and they see how the Chinese influence people’s lives “Sometimes [the Chinese] think they have the power to do anything they want.” One thing everyone agrees on is that China’s involvement in the south Pacific whether it is a new wharf or convention centre paid through grants or soft loans a new Chinese production plant to export food or the regular photo opportunities with Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and China’s charismatic ambassador to the country Children play near a new wharf in Luganville Now minds in Canberra and allied capitals are looking at what comes next. Whatever furious denials the Chinese and Vanuatu governments have made after Fairfax Media reported this week that Beijing was eyeing the establishment of a permanent military presence in the Pacific country the issue has lately been a subject of serious discussion in Canberra while noting Vanuatu’s denials there had been any discussion with China said Australia would “view with great concern the establishment of any foreign military bases in those Pacific Island countries and neighbours of ours” Senior officials have referred to the prospect of an increasing presence - up to a full-scale base - as a change to the status quo That means China is following the playbook it has used in the South China Sea and increasingly the Indian Ocean slowly changing the facts on the ground while avoiding any single intolerable provocation All this comes at a time when Turnbull acknowledges there is “some tension” between Australia and China over the government's foreign interference laws which have reportedly prompted Beijing to stonewall visits by Australian ministers and officials A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that reports of “great concern” in Australia were “sheer fiction” Part of the sprawling Chinese embassy in Port Vila.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen President Xi Jinping vowed while standing on US soil next to Barack Obama in September 2015 that China “does not intend to pursue militarisation” of its artificial islands in the South China Sea Fairfax Media has spoken to multiple sources who confirmed high-level concern in Canberra that China has precisely the ambition of a military presence in Vanuatu even if it starts in an opportunistic and incremental way The question then turns to the circumstances in which Vanuatu would accept this move. Salwai said in a written statement on Thursday that his government “will fiercely oppose any attempt to build a military base” in the country But senior sources have pointed to the precedents set in the Indian Ocean where Beijing has used so-called debt trap diplomacy to grab hold of infrastructure in Sri Lanka and shown the same tendencies towards Pakistan This is a view shared by former officials who can speak publicly “The debt-trap diplomacy that Beijing has conducted in Sri Lanka suggests what the Chinese may eventually do to an increasingly indebted Vanuatu,” said Charles Edel a former adviser to US secretary of state John Kerry now at the US Studies Centre at Sydney University The Lowy Institute has identified $237 million in Chinese infrastructure loans to Vanuatu between 2006 and 2016, including $114 million for the new Luganville wharf, which Fairfax Media visited this week and which defence experts warn could be used in future to dock Chinese warships There have been more loans since then but likely at smaller levels because the International Monetary Fund gave the Vanuatu government a stern warning in 2016 that it risked being overburdened IMF figures show Vanuatu’s debt was at 33.5 per cent of GDP in 2016 but could hit 60 per cent by 2021 with China being the driving force behind the growth The Lowy’s Jonathan Pryke noted that “this debt is a pretty good piece of economic leverage” for China Port Vila market vendor Jackie Willie is concerned about the growing Chinese presence in Vanuatu.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Based on conversations with ordinary Ni-Vans on the street most feel their government has too close a relationship with Beijing The idea that there are “no strings attached” to the debt to China - the well-known Chinese phrase meaning there are no pesky conditions or lectures about reforming a country’s economy or governance - aren’t well received Last month the MP for the island of Pentecost branded a private Chinese company’s donation of 60 laptop computers - one to each parliamentarian - “bribery” and refused to accept one The government insisted it was fine because MPs would be able to use them for work purposes only As well as infrastructure, the prominence of Chinese businesses and property development is prompting resentment an excessively large factory to process nona fruit has sprung up along with facilities for Chinese workers And there has been much talk about Rainbow City a planned gated community about half an hour’s drive from Port Vila for which there is a super-slick advertising video to investors Business owners Richard and Rosemary Lo - pictured with son Mathew - have noticed a shift in sentiment.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen a young resident of Espiritu Santo who helps run a third-generation Chinese family business on the island said the government needed to have tighter oversight of foreign investment through stricter land planning and environmental standards Much of the debate this week has centred around whether Australia is ceding influence to China in the Pacific Foreign Minister Julie Bishop maintained Australia had “very good relationships with Vanuatu and I remain confident Australia is Vanuatu’s strategic partner of choice” Labor’s defence spokesman who has a keen interest in the Pacific told Sky News that Australia “can’t take it for granted” Any Chinese military overtures “ultimately speaks to a long-term failure in Australian foreign and strategic policy in the Pacific” A building site under the control of the JiangSu Provincial Construction Group in Port Vila Australia is still the largest aid donor to the Pacific nations and also their largest trade partner Bishop stressed Chinese infrastructure spending was welcome provided “vulnerable economies are not burdened by debt that they can't repay” Pryke said engaging in an aid bidding war was risky because Pacific nations “don’t like being treated like pawns” He said Australia needed to take a much “harder look at what we’re actually doing and upping our engagement” which says the government is dancing with multiple partners knowing it can bid up overseas aid and assistance by flirting with countries that are strategic competitors Comparing how assistance translates into influence is complicated by the fact China and Australia are pursuing very different models Australia’s $70 million in aid this year to Vanuatu is wide-ranging but includes things like helping get the government’s tax collection in order and helping deregulate the country’s telecommunications sector Santo harbor master Terry Ngwele at the new wharf in Luganville.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Australia’s aid has concentrated on promoting long-term economic growth This should help Vanuatu prosper on its own Those shiny demonstrations of tangibility come famously with “no strings attached” Why would China go to the effort of setting up a military presence such as a base in far-flung Vanuatu it would enable China to project power into the Pacific Ocean which since World War II has been the unquestioned domain of the Americans It is Chinese policy to loosen US alliances in Asia and to stop the US acting freely in the western Pacific “If it turns out there are one or more Chinese bases … what it has the ability to do is challenge American access into the region,” said the US Studies Centre’s Charles Edel He went on: “It’s important to stress that Chinese presence - just like Chinese power - in and of itself is not a problem Actions in the South China Sea and elsewhere do not paint a particularly benign picture.” As well as militarising its artificial islands China has flouted the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea to which it is signatory The artificial islands destroyed more than 100 square kilometres of coral reefs captured before its expansion in August 2015 and prior to its completion in 2017.Credit: Google Maps “If the Chinese were to conduct similar activities in the South Pacific region it would have an enormous environmental and economic impact on the people of the South Pacific Islands.” It has taken over the Sri Lankan deep-water port of Hambantota and quickly built up a large military base in the African nation of Djibouti “This instance shows that when Beijing decides to establish a military presence they are willing and able to do so in a large and permanent manner,” he said director of international security at the Lowy Institute said there was plenty China could do “below the level of challenging the US navy on the high seas” “There is the troubling question of how the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] would intervene to protect Chinese nationals and ethnic Chinese in the Pacific including mounting an evacuation if there was a breakdown of law and order in an island country” he said “The fault lines between Chinese nationals and locals are only going to increase because of indebtedness and the ill feeling of economic loss when people feel their place is taken by subsidised Chinese businesses That worries me because there’s no obvious rule book for handling it and the Chinese authorities would be under genuine domestic pressure to act.” managing director of Sino-Van Fisheries Limited It is well-known that Washington expects Australia to take responsibility for the south Pacific Australians can expect a sharpened focus from its government towards its near neighbours though the common view in Port Vila is that Julie Bishop has a better grasp than her predecessors of the region However much governments talk about co-operation the visions held by Australia and China of the Pacific region seem at odds Bishop’s insistence that Australia would remain the partner of choice - or what John Howard used to call “our patch” - was subtly rebuked in a little-noticed moment this week “The south Pacific island countries should not be the sphere of influence of any country,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman said in the statement released by the embassy in Canberra “Enough with certain Australian individuals’ interference in other’s internal affairs.” if Australia regards the south Pacific as its “patch” China means to decouple those relationships Locals head home at the end of the day on Vila Bay \\u201CIf you ask the public which country they prefer they will say the US \\u2026 They have been around the Chinese so long and they see how the Chinese influence people\\u2019s lives \\u201CSometimes [the Chinese] think they have the power to do anything they want.\\u201D One thing everyone agrees on is that China\\u2019s involvement in the south Pacific or the regular photo opportunities with Vanuatu\\u2019s Prime Minister Charlot Salwai and China\\u2019s charismatic ambassador to the country Now minds in Canberra and allied capitals are looking at what comes next Whatever furious denials the Chinese and Vanuatu governments have made after Fairfax Media that Beijing was eyeing the establishment of a permanent military presence in the Pacific country while noting Vanuatu\\u2019s denials there had been any discussion with China said Australia would \\u201Cview with great concern the establishment of any foreign military bases in those Pacific Island countries and neighbours\\u00A0of ours\\u201D All this comes at a time when Turnbull acknowledges there is \\u201Csome tension\\u201D between Australia and China over the government's foreign interference laws A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that reports of \\u201Cgreat concern\\u201D in Australia were \\u201Csheer fiction\\u201D President Xi Jinping vowed while standing on US soil next to Barack Obama in September 2015 that China \\u201Cdoes not intend to pursue militarisation\\u201D of its artificial islands in the South China Sea The question then turns to the circumstances in which Vanuatu would accept this move Salwai on Thursday that his government \\u201Cwill fiercely oppose any attempt to build a military base\\u201D in the country \\u201CThe debt-trap diplomacy that Beijing has conducted in Sri Lanka suggests what the Chinese may eventually do to an increasingly indebted Vanuatu,\\u201D said Charles Edel The Lowy Institute has identified $237 million in Chinese infrastructure loans to Vanuatu between 2006 and 2016 including $114 million for the new Luganville wharf which Fairfax Media and which defence experts warn could be used in future to dock Chinese warships IMF figures show Vanuatu\\u2019s debt was at 33.5 per cent of GDP in 2016 but could hit 60 per cent by 2021 The Lowy\\u2019s Jonathan Pryke noted that \\u201Cthis debt is a pretty good piece of economic leverage\\u201D for China The idea that there are \\u201Cno strings attached\\u201D to the debt to China - the well-known Chinese phrase meaning there are no pesky conditions or lectures about reforming a country\\u2019s economy or governance - aren\\u2019t well received Last month the MP for the island of Pentecost branded a private Chinese company\\u2019s donation of 60 laptop computers - one to each parliamentarian - \\u201Cbribery\\u201D and refused to accept one the prominence of Chinese businesses and property development is a planned gated community about half an hour\\u2019s drive from Port Vila for which there is a super-slick\\u00A0advertising video to investors Much of the debate this week has centred around whether Australia\\u00A0is ceding influence to China in the Pacific Foreign Minister Julie Bishop maintained Australia had \\u201Cvery good relationships with Vanuatu and I remain confident Australia is Vanuatu\\u2019s strategic partner of choice\\u201D Labor\\u2019s defence spokesman who has a keen interest in the Pacific told Sky News that Australia \\u201Ccan\\u2019t take it for granted\\u201D Any Chinese military overtures \\u201Cultimately speaks to a long-term failure in Australian foreign and strategic policy in the Pacific\\u201D Bishop stressed Chinese infrastructure spending was welcome provided \\u201Cvulnerable economies are not burdened by debt that they can't repay\\u201D Pryke said engaging in an aid bidding war was risky because Pacific nations \\u201Cdon\\u2019t like being treated like pawns\\u201D He said Australia needed to take a much \\u201Charder look at what we\\u2019re actually doing and upping our engagement\\u201D Australia\\u2019s $70 million in aid this year to Vanuatu is wide-ranging but includes things like helping get the government\\u2019s tax collection in order and helping deregulate the country\\u2019s telecommunications sector Australia\\u2019s aid has concentrated on promoting long-term economic growth but it\\u2019s not as sexy as a new airport Those shiny demonstrations of tangibility come famously with \\u201Cno strings attached\\u201D \\u201CIf it turns out there are one or more Chinese bases \\u2026 what it has the ability to do is challenge American access into the region,\\u201D said the US Studies Centre\\u2019s Charles Edel He went on: \\u201CIt\\u2019s important to stress that Chinese presence - just like Chinese power - in and of itself is not a problem Actions in the South China Sea and elsewhere do not paint a particularly benign picture.\\u201D \\u201CIf the Chinese were to conduct similar activities in the South Pacific region it would have an enormous environmental and economic impact on the people of the South Pacific Islands.\\u201D \\u201CThis instance shows that when Beijing decides to establish a military presence they are willing and able to do so in a large and permanent manner,\\u201D he said said there was plenty China could do \\u201Cbelow the level of challenging the US navy on the high seas\\u201D \\u201CThere is the troubling question of how the PLA [People\\u2019s Liberation Army] would intervene to protect Chinese nationals and ethnic Chinese in the Pacific including mounting an evacuation if there was a breakdown of law and order in an island country\\u201D he said \\u201CThe fault lines between Chinese nationals and locals are only going to increase because of indebtedness and the ill feeling of economic loss when people feel their place is taken by subsidised Chinese businesses That worries me because there\\u2019s no obvious rule book for handling it and the Chinese authorities would be under genuine domestic pressure to act.\\u201D Bishop\\u2019s insistence that Australia would remain the partner of choice - or what John Howard used to call \\u201Cour patch\\u201D - was subtly rebuked in a little-noticed moment this week \\u201CThe south Pacific island countries should not be the sphere of influence of any country,\\u201D China\\u2019s foreign ministry spokesman said in the statement released by the embassy in Canberra \\u201CEnough with certain Australian individuals\\u2019 interference in other\\u2019s internal affairs.\\u201D if Australia regards the south Pacific as its \\u201Cpatch\\u201D People swimming at Blue Lagoon on Efate island in Vanuatu fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen (PHOTO EMBARGOED FOR SMH/AGE) this weekend the São João de Gaia Marches will once again take to the streets promising an evening of great entertainment June it’s the month of saints and popular celebrations when we wait impatiently for the longest night of the year as there are several events in and around Porto you can watch Marchas de São João at Vila Nova de Gaia Beira-Rio will once again experience moments of euphoria with the traditional popular parade According to Gaia City Council’s official website the Marchas de São João will parade down Diogo Leite and Ramos Pinto avenues to Cais de Gaia there are traffic restrictions to be taken into account during the period between 7 p.m traffic will be disrupted at the following geographical points: Largo D Luís I; Rua Casino da Ponte; Rua General Torres; Rua Cândido dos Reis; Avenida Ramos Pinto; Avenida Diogo Leite; Largo de Aljubarrota and Rua Rei Ramiro the Pacific island which was among the few remaining virus-free countries in the world has now reported its first coronavirus case Port Vila, Vanuatu - Vanuatu, the Pacific island which was among the few remaining virus-free countries in the world, has now reported its first coronavirus case "I want to assure our people that the Government will apply strict protocols and Covid-19 measures to ensure the case doesn't spread and our country remains safe," Vanuatu Prime Minister Bob Loughman said in a speech According to health authorities and was asymptomatic when he returned to the island on November 4 A routine test however came out positive on Tuesday The patient has since been transferred to an isolation ward at the Port Vila Central Hospital and authorities have started contact tracing Len Tarivonda, the director of Vanuatu Public Health, told ABC News there may be as many as 200 people who have had contact with the patient Vanuatu closed its borders end of March and allowed for return flights only recently The Pacific island counts over 300,000 inhabitants on 80 islands There are a handful of nations that seem to have managed to escape the pandemic several of them small island nations in the Pacific Ocean such as Samoa More on Coronavirus: