Honiara Hotel

Virtually untouched by commercial development, the Solomon Islands are a natural paradise located southeast of Papua New Guinea and only three hours by air from Brisbane, Australia. The people of the Solomons still practise a traditional way of life, preferring to respect the old customs and traditions. They believe in maintaining and preserving their beautiful unspoilt environment. The islands are covered in tropical rainforest and their steep hilly slopes are interspersed with swift flowing creeks, waterfalls and peaceful lagoons.

Capital & Major Centres
The Solomon Islands are geographically fragmented with six main islands and hundreds of small islands including man-made atolls. The main islands are Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, San Cristobal, Malaita and New Georgia. Volcanoes with varying degrees of activity are situated on some of the larger islands, while many of the smaller islands are simply tiny atolls covered in sand and palm trees.

The People
The islanders are smiling, warm friendly people, mostly Melanesian (90 percent), with some Polynesian, Gilbertese, European and Asian. There is no segregation between races and English is the official language, though there are more than 120 indigenous languages, including pidgin English, spoken throughout the island group

History
The Solomon Islands were probably discovered about five thousand years ago by the Austronesians. Melanesian hunter and gatherer voyagers settled in the larger Solomons first. Polynesians known as the seafarers later arrived and settled in the smaller islands and atolls that border Solomon Islands' northern and eastern boundaries. The Spanish were the first Europeans to visit the islands, Alvaro de Mendana naming them the Solomons. He also named the islands of Santa Isabel, Guadalcanal and San Cristobal. The Solomons became a fully independent nation in 1978 and today the country operates under a provincial government system of nine provinces. The national parliament adopted a Westminster system and has a democracy-style government.

Nature
Lush tropical rainforests cover most of the island group. Exotic orchids, ferns and palms are found everywhere and butterflies and exotic birds are abundant. There are more than70 species of reptiles. A variety of trees and shrubs have been introduced along with fruits and vegetables.

The Sights
In Honiara there is a bustling Chinatown area with an Old and New China Town adjacent to each other. There are WWII relics of fighter planes, tanks and machine guns rusting in peace, and Japanese and American WWII memorials. The National Museum is located in Honiara and the Honiara Main Market is a good place to find local bargains. The Western Province offers traditional villages, secluded beaches, superb snorkelling and scuba diving.

Where to Stay
Wherever you choose to stay, be sure to learn from your hosts a little of the islanders' culture and religion. Depending on your budget you can stay in a premier hotel, in apartments, rest houses, village resorts or in cabins or lodges. Camping is not encouraged and permission from the village chief or land owner must be sought.

Getting Around
There are public buses, hire cars, taxis (negotiate the fare before making a journey), and you can see a lot simply by walking.

For inter-island travel go by aircraft or boat. Solomon Airlines flies to about 20 destinations throughout the country. They are also available for charter. Helicopter Support runs a helicopter service. For those with more leisure time, an interesting option is to travel by cargo vessel.

Food & Entertainment
Major hotels have restaurants and there are international restaurants in Honiara. Hotels have beer gardens and bars and several private clubs welcome visitors. Regular island night barbecues are very popular.

Activities
Sports activities include golf, tennis, bush-walking and a wide range of aquatic sports – swimming, sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, snorkelling and game fishing. The Solomons is renowned as a scuba divers' paradise with coral, shipwrecks, giant clams, tropical fish and game fish.

Shopping Guide
High quality craft work is available and includes ebony and 'kerosene' wood carvings, bowls with mother-of-pearl inlays, shell jewellery, baskets, bags, hats and mats woven from pandanus or coconut palm. Although the only craft shops are in Honiara, you can buy work direct from craftsmen and women in the other islands. Daily markets are held throughout the Solomons. The Central Market in the capital, Honiara, is the largest and most colourful.

Facts
CLIMATE
Tropical – average 29°C. November to April is wetter.

CLOTHING
Casual. Brief swimwear should be limited to beaches.

ELECTRICITY
240 volts AC/50 cycles (where available).

TIME ZONE
GMT + 11 hrs. AEST + 1 hour.

CURRENCY
Solomon Island dollars. (SBD) Tipping is not encouraged. Visitors are usually asked to refrain from temptation due to Islanders' pride and custom.

VISAS & HEALTH
British Commonwealth, US and Western Europeans with a valid passport and onward or return ticket are granted a visitor's permit on arrival. For more information, go to www.commerce.gov.sb/Divisions/Immigration/Immigration_Requirements.htm. Immunisation is required if visitors originate from or pass through a disease infected country or one suffering an epidemic.

GETTING THERE
International – Solomon Airlines, Sky Air World, Pacific Blue, Our Airline, Air Niugini, Air Pacific. Domestic – Solomon Airlines.