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- Australasia
- Kiribati
Kiribati
Known to many under British rule as the Gilbert Islands,
Kiribati (pronounced
Kiribas) may be a tiny nation in the central tropical
Pacific Ocean, but its 33 atolls, mostly surrounding turquoise
lagoons and barely rising above the surrounding ocean, span a
whopping 1.4 million square miles (3.5 million sq km) of the
Pacific Ocean.
First sighted by British and American ships in the late 18th and
early 19th centuries, the main chain of islands was named the
Gilbert Islands in 1820 after a British captain who crossed the
archipelago on route to China in 1788.
Only two thirds of the islands are actually inhabited and
interestingly, uninhabited Caroline Island was the first to usher
in the millennium giving Kiribati much needed publicity and a
helping hand onto the world's stage. The increased number of
tourists in the past decade is proof of this.
Kiribati's islands offer a multitude of fascinating and
exquisite tourist attractions. Christmas Island, located in the
southern part of the Line Islands, is a bird-watcher's paradise and
is an important breeding habitat for the seabirds that flock to
these islands to swoon over the surface tropical fish, squid and
tuna. Common sightings include the Wedge-tailed, Christmas, and
Audubon's Shearwaters, as well as the Masked, Brown, and Red-footed
Boobies.
The clear turquoise waters teem with unique biodiversity of
unique marine life found off the shores of the Kiribati islands,
considered to be one of the few unspoiled and unexplored underwater
sanctuaries remaining in the world.
The locals in the outer islands survive on coconuts, breadfruit
and fish as Kiribati's recent colonial and WWII history has had
little impact on them, but the main island of Tarawa was the scene
of one of the bloodiest battles in WWII history when more than
7,000 Japanese and American soldiers lost their lives. The locals
here still reside in thatched houses, but there are signs of a
stronger Western influence with more cars, movies, bars and
Internet access available.
Many people come here to sunbathe on one of the countless sandy
white beaches, sip on an exotic cocktail and watch other beach
goers partake in volleyball, surfing, kayaking and jet skiing. The
Taiwan Park and Dai-Nippon Causeway in the eastern tip of the Betio
Islet in Tarawa are definitely worth a visit.
Nothing really happens too fast here and visitors will enjoy
slowing down and living on Kiribati island time.
Information & Facts
Customs
Travellers to Kiribati will encounter a strange mix of
informality and rigidity in terms of social mores and customs.
Generally, Kiribati boasts a relatively classless society, where
people are known by their first names, and talk freely and
good-humouredly amongst each other. However, despite this general
bonhomie, there are certain codes of behaviour that are strictly
observed. In all aspects of social life, modesty and humbleness are
considered desirable traits - direct eye contact is not often made,
women are expected to dress conservatively, and aggressive or
confrontational behaviour is heavily frowned upon. Travellers to
Kiribati should note that the top of one's head is considered a
sacred, deeply personal area. Under no circumstances should you
touch someone on the top of their head (unless invited to do so),
and if you are walking past someone who is lying down, give them a
wide berth to ensure that you don't cause offence. In general,
don't pass through crowds of people, especially if they are engaged
in the 'circular' discussions that characterise Kiribati's social
life.
Duty Free
Visitors to Kiribati may import the following goods duty-free:
200 cigarettes/50 cigars/225g of tobocco, an mount of perfume
reasonable for personal use, a reasonable amount of gifts, one
still and one movie camera and a reasonable amount of film, and
sports equipment for personal use. Those 21 and older may bring one
litre of spirits and one litre of wine.
Passport Visa
All foreign passengers to Kiribati must hold proof of
return/onward tickets (or sufficient funds to purchase them), and
proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the
country. Generally, visa-exempt visitors are granted an initial
stay of 30 days. An extension of stay is possible, provided that it
does not exceed four months in any calendar year. Note that a
yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Kiribati,
if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an
infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport
has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date
of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials
often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and
official sources.