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What is white and turquoise, soft and warm, feels good under your feet and takes your breath away? The answer is simple – the beautiful beaches of Vanuatu.

Spread right through the archipelago, the beaches of this unspoilt paradise are a sight to behold:
First of all there are the colours – whiter- than white sand curving around enchanting bays and stretching into turquoise, clear blue water teeming with tropical fish and colourful coral.

Secondly the scenery. Palm trees sway on the beaches while waves lap the shore, all framing volcanic islands in the distance. Then comes the local inhabitants – the hundreds of varieties of fish, the exotic bird life and the occasional turtle. You may also be treated to music or strike up a conversation with a ni Vanuatu person who lives nearby.

Last-but-not-least is the peace and serenity. Some of the beaches from this unspoilt land are only accessible by boat or float plane and leave the visitor with an unreal feeling of having spent time in such a pristine environment. Their footprints are the only sign of having been there but photographs help the memory long after their visit is over.

The stamp issue has a textured feel and highlights four of thousands of wonderful examples. Champagne Beach, Havana Harbour, Eratap Island and Pele Island give the viewer a taste of what to expect. To help the experience Vanuatu Post brings you some real Pacific archipelago sand to feel, so what are you waiting for – we are bringing the beach to you, now you come to us!

A First for Vanuatu Post The Beach stamp issue carries a special coating to simulate the feel of real sand. The stamps are printed in four process colours and then perforated. They then receive a patterned overprint with a clear sealer followed by a coarse 30 micron non dissolving spray powder is applied. The result? A set of beautiful stamps that not only look good but feel good too. Another first for Vanuatu Post  - bringing postal innovation (and the beach) to their customers.

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Vanuatu Beaches
Please Note: All prices are in US Dollars

Set of 4 stamps	$5.00		MintCTO
First Day Cover wth stamp set	$6.00

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		Collectors Notes:		For more information please contact:
Designer:		Denise Durkin, Wellington, New Zealand		The Manager, Philatelic  Bureau, Vanuatu Post, Port Vila, Vanuatu Tel.  + 678 22000 Fax  + 678 23900 E mail: philatelic@vanuatupost.vu
Printer:		Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand
Photography:		100 x 2 and 160 vatu images by David Kirkland, Australia. 140 vatu and FDC images by Leith Campbell, Top Shots, Vanuatu.
Process:		Offset lithography with coarse spray powder on sand area.
Stamp Size:		42.86 mm x 25mm horizontal.
Perforation Gauge:		14.40 x 40
Paper:		114 gsm Tullis Russell gummed stamp paper
Denominations:		100 x 2, 140 and 160 vatu
Period of Sale:		28 September 2011 for a period of 2 years.