Beachcomber – Issue 36

SATELLITE AT YOUR SERVICE

Singapore-based satellite company, Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific), has been named “Satellite Company of the Year 2023 – Singapore” at the Business Excellence Awards. This prestigious award recognises Kacific’s innovative approach to providing high-speed, reliable, and affordable satellite internet connectivity across the Asia Pacific region, and the impact of its game-changing retail franchise model Gigstarter.

“This award recognises the difference Kacific’s service has made to communities and businesses across the region, improving health care, education, economic development and resilience,” says Kacific CEO, Christian Patouraux. “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who have been working tirelessly, often under difficult conditions, to provide reliable and affordable satellite internet connectivity.”

“Gigstarter has revolutionised the way businesses operate in remote locations. They no longer have to get by with slow and unreliable internet connectivity and now can enjoy fast, reliable and affordable broadband connectivity, no matter where they are.”

REFRESH OF THE FAMILY ALBUM

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati with the support of Pacific Tourism Organisation, Nauru Airlines and local tourism operators, engaged renowned Pacific photographer, David Kirkland on a one-week photo shoot of Tarawa and Abaiang.Kirkland last undertook a photography project for Kiribati in 2013 and TAK utilised this recent visit to capture new product developments whilst still focussing on people and culture as the unique selling points for the destination. The images captured from this project will be featured in TAK’s new marketing material and their revamped website.

VIRGIN TAKES FLIGHT TO VANUATU – AGAIN

Virgin Australia has resumed its popular direct services between Australia and Vanuatu further expanding the airline’s connectivity to the Pacific Islands. Direct services from Brisbane to Port Vila will operate on the airline’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft up to five times a week in peak periods, and up to three times weekly in off peaks. Virgin Australia Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Alistair Hartley said “This is an important and longstanding connection for Virgin Australia, which started flying between Australia and Vanuatu nearly 20 years ago,”.

A VIEW FROM THE VILLAS

Samoa’s renowned Taumeasina Island Resort recently announced the opening of their brand-new deluxe Cove Villas. General manager Nathan Bucknall said: “These beautifully appointed three-bedroom villas are situated on the mainland just a short stroll across the causeway from the island and all offer amazing views of the glistening Pacific Ocean with the resort as their backdrop. These villas are the most modern and luxuriously appointed villas at Taumeasina Island Resort, and arguably the same for the whole of Samoa.”

A VANUATU VETERAN

Le Lagon, or to give it it’s current full and formal title – Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa – has a long-established reputation as Vanuatu’s leading family resort. Originally built in 1969 and refurbished and expanded over the years, the appeal is fundamentally the same as it was from the outset. It’s a
well run luxury 4.5-star establishment on the shores of one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful lagoons. It has all the facilities you’d expect from any grand hotel with the additional attraction of a terrific kids’ club where your little ones can be safely at play while parents relax among the fabulous gardens
or around the expansive pool area, or in one of the four bars and restaurants. Accommodation options include overwater bungalows and private pool villas as well as a 180 sq metre-‘residence’ with plunge pool. The resort also offers a large conference centre and on-site meeting rooms – the perfect
location for your next event. And, of course, it’s a dream venue for unforgettable destination weddings and honeymoons.

GOING NUTS IN FIJI

Are you a peanut butter nutter? Do you like it smooth (yes) or crunchy? Or even chocolate-y? You can now get all three of these from Fiji’s own Island Style, owned and operated by the Pickering family. The operation grew from a simple desire three years ago to find a natural, wholesome and tasty peanut butter while visiting family in Fiji. The answer was, there wasn’t anything that suited so … they made their own. They incorporated local high-oleic peanuts, coconut oil and a sprinkle of sea salt and added crunchy coconut flakes and after sharing with family and friends back in New Zealand they found that people were going nuts for it so, again, they did as anyone would – they moved to Fiji and began refining their recipe, ensuring it remained all natural with no added sugars or emulsifiers and putting the result into jars to be distributed throughout Fiji. It seems that the addition of that old tropical favourite – coconut may have been the secret taste temptation that distinguishes Island Style from the others according to their customers. It’s also worth checking their website (islandstylepnb.com) for delicious peanutty recipes. As they say ‘from our vuvale (family) to yours’.