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Tuvalu Nightlife | Tuvalu |
 Everyone has always dreamt of finding a place where time seems to stand still. We have. Its called Tuvalu.
Tuvalu is a group of nine tiny islands in the South Pacific which won independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. Five of the islands are coral atolls, the other four consist of land rising from the sea bed.
Previously called the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu means "cluster of eight", although there are actually nine islands in all.
All are low-lying, and no point on Tuvalu is higher than 4.5 metres above sea level, and with climate change now a real threat fears are this paradise will be swamped by rising sea levels, and simply dissapear. |
 Life on the islands is simple. There are no streams or rivers, so the collection of rain is essential. Tuvalu depends on foreign aid, the income from the sale of tuna fishing licences and the interest from a trust fund set up in 1987. The sale of postage stamps also brings in revenues. Tourism plays only a small part as it's just so bloody difficult to get to.
It is one of a handful of countries to have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which in 2004 funded the construction of Tuvalu's largest building - a three-storey administrative headquarters, only 50 metres from the airstrip at Funafuti (the capital). Tuvalu has shown ingenuity by exploiting another source of income. It has sold its internet suffix - .tv - to a Californian company for several million dollars a year in continuing revenue. The company sells the suffix on to television broadcasters. Some of the money has been used to pave roads - which were formerly made of crushed coral - and to build schools. |
 Traditional dancing the "fatele" is performed on special occasions, birthdays, celebrating holidays or greeting special visitors. Or go and ask to join in at the Tausoa Lima Falekaupule (the Council of Elders Meeting Hall), and main meeting place, then just relax and enjoy.
When it comes to national games, you just watch the "Te Ano" (the ball). Two opposing teams line up and throw a heavy ball to the other that must not be allowed to touch the ground. It gets fierce with the weaker players being targeted. Points are scored if your opponents let the ball fall. First team to 10 points wins, meaning the losers must perform a funny song and dances intended to bring the winners back to earth. |
_svg.jpg "Tuvalu Flag") The bar scene is mostly confined to the hotels and few guest house. The Vaiaku Lagi Hotel, situated in the centre of town, faces the Funafuti Lagoon. Government owned, and Tuvalu's only hotel, it has 16 rooms and is air-conditioned. The hotel has been recently upgraded and refurbished and has a fully licensed bar, comfortable lounge and a dance floor.
Other places include Su's Guesthouse, Laisinis, The Hideaway, Filamona and Fishermans Lodges, and the Island Breeze. These only have a few rooms each and are all sited on Funafati.
Tuvalu's only hospital is on Funafuti, the outer islands have trained nurses only. The tropical cyclone season in Tuvalu normally runs from November to April.
Tuvalu's 9 Islands are: Funafuti, Nanumea, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu, Nanumanga, Niulakita, Niutao. |
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