Firstly, to get rid of a few myths. Vila water is perfectly safe to drink. It does, however, have a high calcium content so those little white specks floating in your tea doesn’t mean the milk is ‘off’ (it will be long-life milk anyway!).

Despite what your doctor or travel agent says, malaria tablets aren’t necessary or recommended unless you are going to the outer islands. You don’t need vaccinations against exotic tropical diseases but you should take out medical insurance. While there are good doctors and regular flights out, you shouldn’t travel anywhere without insurance.

It’s also a good idea to take a small first aid kit – to be on the safe side and because pharmaceutical items are expensive. Panadol/Panadeine, (Berocca?), Hydrogen Pereoxide for coral cuts, Bandaids, Imodium/Buscopan for possible tummy upsets – a change of diet or time zone can do this.

You can take wood carvings home with you, as long as you present them at Customs for inspection.

The climate is hot and can be very humid. While historically November to March is the ‘wet’ season, over the last couple of years El Nino has sort of reversed the seasons. Yes, there are cyclones every couple of years but they come, they go and they are part of the tropics (even in Australia). There are also occasional earth tremors, as there are in any place with volcanic activity (like New Zealand).

The currency is the vatu and the exchange rate is stable. All major credit cards are accepted and there are ATM's at supermarkets, the airport and outside the ANZ and Westpac banks. The best exchange rate is at Goodies souvenir shop.

Dining out should be on every visitor’s ‘must do’ list. We send our couples a guide to eating out.