Solomon Islands Nutz and Bolts
Country: Solomon Islands
Where is it?: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Why do people go here?: Recent fighting has scared away most travelers but don’t fret too much: that means there’s more for you! The islands are home to fantastic fishing, diving, and other tropical pleasures. Eco-tourism lodges cash in on this all-loving nature feel.
What are the main entry points?: Honiara is home to the international airport, with a majority of flights arriving from Australia with a couple from neighboring pacific islands thrown in. Yachts do stop here and, less frequently, a cruise ship or two.
Currency used: Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Country Code: 677
Area codes for Major Cities: No city codes required
Religion: Anglican 45%, Roman Catholic 18%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 12%, Baptist 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4%
Population: 523,617
Ethnic Breakdown: Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Government: Parliamentary democracy tending toward anarchy
Languages: Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population. 120 indigenous languages.
Major Cities: Honiara
Attractions: Fish, Diving, Sun
Accommodation:
Tourism Office locations and links: Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau P.O.Box 321 Honiara, Solomon Islands +677 22442;; FAX 23986; visitors@solomon.com.sb, www.commerce.gov.sb/tourism/index.htm
Health Issues: Malaria risk exists throughout the year except in a few eastern and southern outlying islets. It is esistant to chloroquine and sulfadoxine�pyrimethamine. Recommended treatment is chloroquine plus proguanil.
When to go: June and July have the weather, the fun, and the festivals.
Specific Events/Holidays: Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Getting Around: Minibuses will get your around the main sights, but taxis are better for getting out of the way. Sea travel is available, but you have to search it out and look for prices.
Did you like this article?
Share it
Place a comment| Now you can also comment with your Facebook Account |
Rate this story
Follow Us
Subscribe to the BootsnAll articles RSS feed
Related articles found in:
Pacific Islands, Pacific Islands Nutz and Bolts, Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands Nutz and BoltsRead similar items found across the BootsnAll Travel Network:
Papua New Guinea Nutz and Bolts
Wallis and Futuna Nutz and Bolts
What are the stupidest things travelers argue about? BootsnAll staff writer Jessica Spiegel talks about the ones she hates most, and includes a plea that we never argue about them again.
[Read more]
If you are wondering whether it would be worth it to bring your young children on a trip with you, reading Rachel Denning’s experiences and advice will likely convince you.
[Read more]
Somali pirates and Halloween pirates seem to get all the press these days, but there is a rich history out there of the real thing. Steve Bramucci takes us to five places where pirate tourism is easy to find.
[Read more]
Would you like to pretend you are Michael Palin, or perhaps someone else who gets to stay in historic colonial hotels in the East? Here’s a cheaper way, as Inga Kastrone takes us on a tour if 8 of the finest of these landmark properties.
[Read more]
You are probably aware of the big wine industries in Argentina and Chile, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Eileen Smith lives in Chile and here she explains where to look and what to taste throughout the continent.
[Read more]
