"Fanning Island" a Kiribati Travel Page by Azzuri

I thought I would be the first or even the only VT member who went to see this beautiful little island but I am not. Visit to Fanning Island was one of my most exciting travel experiences as this is one of the very few places in the world not affected by modern civilization. This little island in the middle of Pacific Ocean, almost 300 miles from equator does not know about electricity, heating, vehicles, sewerage etc.

During our stay on the island a group of people from the island were dancing and asking for donation for building a new church. Other people were selling their souvenirs, they had made on a small market. Interesting facts - all currencies they knew are US and australian dollars and they don't care which one people pay. Besides the cruise line ship that visits the island once a week, the only other vessel visiting the island is a ship from Australia, bringing goods only twice a year. The island has no communication with the rest of Kiribati islands, which are 2000 miles away. I was wondering how the postal service functions there (there is one !). These people were once shown a movie, Superman and as they had never seen a moview and saw a human flying in the movie, they started asking where he lived. We were asked not to give them any chewing gums nor candies as the island had no medical or dental facilities.

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Fanning Island road

On Fanning Island people live in the same fashion for centuries and look very happy. They keep living with the rythm of the Pacific ocean waves.

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cottage on the island

People will walk you through the island showing you their primitive cottages and their coconut trees, which they are so proud of.