Unlike Fiji, where kava is revered and imbued with ceremony, the Vanuatu nakamal is a mix between a pub and a coffee shop. Dotted about the country’s back streets, nakamals have a bar serving kava with snacks to take away the bitter taste. Kava is a sociable drug and after a few servings (shells), the chatter becomes lucid as the drinker becomes languid. Vanuatu kava, made from fresh root, is stronger that the powdered Fijian yaqona type, so tourists are warned to take it easy.