Wallis and Futuna

城市概覽

The islands were settled by the Lapita culture around 800 BCE, the ancestors of today's Polynesian people. Although visited by the Dutch and the British in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842, making them a part of New Caledonia. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory. There are still three ceremonial kingdoms within the territory: Alo, Sigave, Wallis. The islands are volcanic in origin, with low hills, and fringing reefs. The highest point is Mont Singavi, at 765 m. The climate is tropical: hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 °C.

如何抵達

Wallis and Futuna is a part of France and implements French visa policy, but it is not part of the Schengen Area or the European Union and controls its own immigration. This means that travelling between metropolitan France and Wallis and Futuna will involve border inspections. French citizens only need a valid ID card to enter and stay indefinitely, including employment, but in practice they too need a passport to transit through other countries, unless flying from the French territory of New Caledonia. Non-French European Union citizens may enter and stay in Wallis and Futuna indefinitely without a visa, provided their passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond their planned departure date, but may not work unless they have a work permit. Citizens of non-European Union countries who do not need a visa to visit France may visit without a visa for up to 3 months provided their passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond their planned departure date, and they have a return ticket, proof of funds to cover their stay, travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000, and proof of purpose of stay (e.g. confirmation of hotel bookings if you are a tourist). If you need a visa to visit France, Schengen visas for Metropolitan France are not valid for travel to Wallis and Futuna. You will need to obtain a separate visa for Wallis and Futuna from a French diplomatic mission.

By plane The only point of entry by plane is Hihifo Airport on Wallis, which has two Aircalin flights per week to Nouméa, New Caledonia (3 hours), one of which stops over in Nadi, Fiji (1:30). Fares start from around 30,000 XPF one way.

By boat There are no scheduled passenger services to Wallis and Futuna. They are also off the major cruise paths, but a few boats per year stop over. The port of Mata-Utu is on Wallis. Leava (Sigave) is on Futuna.

當地交通

Air Loyaute flies between Hihifo (Wallis) and Pointe Vele (Futuna) twice a day or so. There are no inter-island ferries. Uvea has 120 km of roads, much of which is paved. All the main villages on Futuna can be accessed on paved but rough roads.

必看景點

Tourism in the territory remains very low. This is mainly due to the isolation of the Wallis and Futuna islands, as well as the lack of outside investment in the islands and limited access to bank credit. At the same time, the territory has certain advantages:

The islanders lead an authentic traditional lifestyle and hold large gatherings and ceremonies. The natural landscapes of the islands are well preserved: the crater lakes, islands and lagoons of the Wallis Islands, forests and beaches are very attractive. The cultural heritage is also great, with Tongan burial sites on Wallis and the tomb of Father Chanel at Poi, Futuna. Talietumu fort on Wallis, built by the Tongans in the 15th century. Lake Laloalo on Wallis, a volcanic lake that is almost perfectly circular.

體驗活動

However, these advantages are rarely exploited and, so far, the islands have only a six-hole golf course, a diving club and an aeroclub for ultralight aircraft.

購物

Money

The CFP franc (called just franc locally, symbol F, ISO currency code XPF) is the currency used in New Caledonia, French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. The initials CFP stand for Collectivités françaises du Pacifique ("French Communities of the Pacific"). It is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 119.33 francs. CFP coins are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 francs, and the colorful banknotes are in denominations of 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 francs.

Coins and banknotes are identical across all three French Pacific territories. Before January 2023, New Caledonia and French Polynesia had their own distinct designs on the coin reverse sides, but these were withdrawn, and the 1 and 2 franc coins were discontinued. Thanks to the currency peg, you'll get the best rates by exchanging euros. Australian and US dollars can also be easily changed. Get rid of any leftover francs before you leave.

Costs Banking facilities are limited, with no bank located on Futuna. Also, the BWF bank in Wallis will not directly change US $100 bills. Travelers are advised to do their currency exchanges in Nouméa, New Caledonia or Nadi, Fiji prior to arrival.

美食

On Saint Peter Chanel's Day (Saint-Pierre-Chanel or locally Petelo Sanele), it is customary for piglets to be roasted with bananas. Taro, yams and sweet potatoes were and still are the staple foods of most islanders. Fish is widely consumed in the villages on the Uvea coast. If for some reason there is no man in the family, women collect edible crustaceans from the lagoon. Pigs and chickens are fattened mainly for festive occasions.77 As a rule, families eat two meals a day. For breakfast they usually eat bread and drink coffee. Dinner consists of taro or yams and fish (on the Wallis Islands) and sometimes defrosted chicken and boiled beef. The most common drink is tea.77 Pork, chicken and turtle are an obligatory attribute of the festive table. Cava and imported alcoholic beverages are also consumed.

飲品與夜生活

The locals pride themselves in how they pour a can of floating Widget Guinness to get the best creamy head. They also like to toast with a dram or 2 of Jamieson Black Barrel or a Captain Morgan Spice. They meet up on a Friday and talk a load of codswallop but also solve the world's problems.

住宿

Hôtel Albatros, route du collége mataotamaVillage Mala'e, ☏ +681 721827. Hôtel Moana-Hou, route du bord de mer Village liku Districte hahakeBP 136 Mata-Utu, ☏ +681 722135. Hôtel Restaurant Le Fia-Fia, lieut-dit Puilata Village nuku Royaume sigave BP 28 Sigave, ☏ +681 723245. Hôtel Restaurant Lomipeau, Standard route territoriale n°1 Village aka'aka District hahake BP 84 Mata-Utu, ☏ +681 722021. Somalama Park Hotel, lieut-dit somalama Village tavai Royaume sigave BP 2 Sigave, ☏ +681 723120.