VANUATU

The little cosmopolitan capital Port Vila (population 15,000) is on Efate island, in the Coral Sea of the South Pacific, 1200 miles off the east coast of Australia.Port Vila' has fine French restaurants and chic shops with Parisian fashion, but in near by villages women wear only grass skirts and men only sambas (penis sheaths).

CLIMATE: Subtropical with high average temperatures of 84'F in the drier and cooler months from May to October, and 87'F during the warmer humid season from November to April.Evenings are a comfortable 70'F year round.Tropical showers occur at any time during the year.

VISITOR INFORMATION: National Tourist Office, PO Box 209, Kumal Highway, Int'l Bldg., Port Vila.

Tel: 22685.

Fax: 23889.

HOW TO GET THERE: International flights from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Fiji to Port Vila's Bauerfield Airport (VLI) 4 miles / 6.4 km north of the town.

Tassiriki Park, Port Villa, PO Box 1111.

Tel: 22040.

Fax: 23340.

Type: First class resort & casino.

Location: A lagoon front property 8 km / 5 miles from Bauerfield Airport.

Palms Casino: European style.

Games: slots, tables (blackjack, baccarat).

Open: 11.30am - 3am daily.Free admission.

Amenities: 144 rooms, 3 suites, wheelchair access, 2 restaurants, coffee shop, bar, business center, 24 hr.room service, swimming pool, children's pool, 2 tennis courts.volley ball, 9-hole golf course, water sports, supervised children's programs.

Credit Cards: AE / DC / EC / MCNISA.

Rates: VUV 12,750 - 28,000 or US$ 108 - 237.

rue de Picardie, PO Box 810, Port Vila.

Tel: 22150.

Fax: 22678.

Type: Tourist class hotel & casino.

Location: 3 / 4 mile / 1.3 km from town center opposite Le Rendez-Vous Restaurant.

Casino: European style.

Games: slots, tables (blackjack, baccarat).

Amenities: 85 rooms & suites, restaurant, bar, bistro, outdoor pool, tennis, dive shop.

Credit Cards: AE / DC / MCNISA.

Rates: US$70 - 90.

Tax: 10%.