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Travel to the Solomon Islands, an adventurer's paradise

By Amy Adejokun Amy Adejokun Section editor
South of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands consist mainly of the islands of Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita and New Georgia, Santa Isabel and San Cristobal. After a long trip, wealthy adventurers will find their paradise in when they travel to the Solomon Islands. Tropical forests, sea depths where ships have been resting since they sank during World War II and many outdoor activities are all at your disposal, all in a dreamlike paradise.

Our Editorial team's advice

For a long time, the Solomon Islands had the reputation of being an expensive holiday destination, reserved to a handful of well-off tourists. Today things have changed, especially thanks to the cheaper flights. It all depends, as well, on your living standards once you're there. If you choose to follow the local way of life, by staying in small boarding houses, eating in cheap eating houses and from market stands, using public buses and boats, your daily budget should not exceed £25. However, if you opt for the 'Hollywood' style exotic way of life under coconut trees, for the azure cocktails by the side of the swimming pool of a luxurious hotel surrounded by tropical greenery and bordered by a private lagoon, for lobsters and champagne served by a white-gloved waiter, and for the chartered yacht to take you on a diving trip round the atolls, the chances are your budget will quickly sky rocket.

pros

  • +A true tropical Eden, nature as beautiful as on the first day, a likeable population: the Solomon Islands have been realising dreams of romantic souls for two centuries.
  • +A very epicurean life style, enjoying sunshine and cool breeze in a very relaxed frame of mind, isolated from the rest of the world.
  • +Exceptional sea depths, among the planet's most beautiful.
  • +A favourable season, well-timed as far as summer holidays are concerned.

cons

  • -A very high cost of living, due to the need to import most consumer goods.
  • -A long flight, a tiring journey, jet lag and climate.

Traditions

The Solomon Islands' handicraft has a very good reputation, as well as the music played on bamboo flutes. Despite the inhabitants' mass conversion to Christianity, worshipping of ancestors is still widely practised in villages. According to ancestral beliefs, the deceased's soul is re-incarnated in birds, reptiles or sharks, becoming therefore sacred and taboo as far as consumption is concerned. Make sure not to go break taboos and proscriptions still in place in some villages, in particular by avoiding wearing clothing that is too revealing.

Food

Local cuisine is not greatly varied, except for its fish and seafood. The most popular dishes are tapioca cakes and taro-based gruel. In hotels, you will find numerous restaurants serving rather quality European and Asian dishes.

Souvenirs

Things to take home: local handicraft (sarongs, embroidery, basketry, pottery, carved wood objects), mother-of-pearl jewels, pearls, sea shells, spices and folk music recordings. People do not usually haggle. Shops are usually open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday and from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays.

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