Vanuatu Smile
It’s official. Vanuatu has just been named one of the world’s ten happiest places in 2010 by Lonely Planet in its international travel guide. This follows a similar nomination in 2006 where the Happy Planet Index saw the people of Vanuatu as being happy i
Sales price $6.00
Description
It’s official. Vanuatu has just been named one of the world’s ten happiest places in 2010 by Lonely Planet in its international travel guide. This follows a similar nomination in 2006 where the Happy Planet Index saw the people of Vanuatu as being happy in their daily activities, living a long life and doing little damage to the planet.
This result was based on a survey conducted by the New Economics Foundation and the Friends of the Earth. The Happy Planet Index was compiled to prove that people can live long, happy lives without consuming large amounts of the Earth’s resources. 
Lonely Planet’s 2010 announcement described the archipelago as having white sandy beaches, blue waters teeming with life, lush vegetation and a scenic environment. The guide stated that all this and more was reflected in the happy smiles of the local Ni - Vanuatu people.
Vanuatu Post celebrates this award from Lonely Planet and with their permission has released a stamp issue featuring ten smiling faces that collectively reflect life in Vanuatu.
The issue is entitled “Smile with Us” and shows Vanuatu smiling in various formats, occasionally challenging the viewer to determine how the smile is represented.
Denominations
5 x 20 vatu and 5 x 100 vatu stamps
Designer
Denise Durkin , Wellington, New Zealand
Paper
104 gsm Tullis Russell non-phosphor gummed stamp paper
Perforation Gauge
13.33 x 13.60
Period of Sale
15 December 2010 for a period of 2 years
Printer
Southern Colour Print, Dunedin, New Zealand
Process
Offset lithography
Stamp Size
30.00mm x 40.00mm, 10 horizontal stamps
About Vanuatu Post
Vanuatu Post Limited was formed in 2000 and provides postal and other services to residents and visitors to Vanuatu. The Corporation is owned by the Government of Vanuatu and operates as a commercial enterprise.
Vanuatu Post provides access to services through a network of over 60 Post Offices and Postal outlets around Vanuatu. Customers receive mail through a network of over 4500 PO Boxes.