Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# I want to go back to the Solomons Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Solomon Islands
seanconnery 09:34 UTC 20 Feb 2007 | I'm planning on going to Fiji in two weeks for a month, then two months in Tonga, then another month in Fiji. But i'd rather switch Tonga for the Solomon Islands instead. During the civil unrest a few years ago I was in the Solomons, spent a few days in the capital and then stayed with a village for a few weeks in the western province (contacted village on my own). And I had little problems. I know that the situation in the Solomons is a lot worse this time, but I absolutely loved the country and want to go back. Is it possible? Is it reasonably safe? Anyone been to the Solomon's lately? Has the situation changed as far as villagers welcoming visitors into their homes? edit*I don't care about about diving, I just love the people. |
seanconnery 09:40 UTC 20 Feb 2007 | A post from three months ago, <blockquote>Quote <hr>As an example the lonely planet guide says it is S$450 to fly to gizo, the current cost is S$1695<hr></blockquote> . Are these prices still roughly the same? | 1
Laszlo 12:22 UTC 20 Feb 2007 | I was there over a year ago. It's not only possible but largely safe too - the main troubles are over. I don't see any reason why villagers' hospitality would have changed - the conflict mostly involved only two provinces anyway. If you are after Melanesian hospitality, a month in Fiji, 2 in the Solomons and the fourth in Vanuatu (rather than back in Fiji) may be the way to go. With careful planning, you should be able to have Vanuatu as a stopover between Fiji and the Solomons, as flights stop there anyway. I actually found Vanuatu friendlier and more traditional than the Solomons, and definitely worth adding to my route despite the costs being higher in general than in rural Solomons (but not in overpriced Honiara). However getting around the Solomons is a lot more time-consuming, so if you really love it and want to explore the outer islands, it's good to have 2 months there. Don't miss Malaita - so close to Honiara, yet one of the friendlier and more traditional main islands in the country. Ditto the cheaperst part of the Solomons I have been to. And take a copy of the OLD LP guide - the new PNG & Solomons guide is virtually useless away from Honiara and the main tourist spots in Western Province. Check the website of Solomon Airlines for flight details - note that fares get a lot higher than the posted ones after all taxes are added. But with 2 months, you could get to a fair few islands by boat too, if costs worry you. Guadalcanal Travel Services should be the most reliable source of current info on flights/fares out of Honiara. If you don't want to hang around Honiara too long, contacting them to book your domestic flight out of the city before even arriving might be a good idea - there are longish waiting-lists for certain destinations. | 2
ozziegiraffe 15:42 UTC 25 Feb 2007 | Whoever told you that Solomon Islands is worse than during the tension has not been there recently. It has been gradually improving since RAMSI arrived, and the warnings were basically about possible rallies if the Prime Minister rearmed the police, or if there was a no confidence motion against the PM. They do npot concern ordinary travellers, particularly in rural areas. Neither of these has happened, and will not happen in the near future. I was in Honiara and Malaita most recently in November and December, and monitor Solomon Islands news. I visit there regularly, and have been to seven of the nine provinces. I feel safer there than I do in most Australian cities. Much of what has been reported in overseas media has been grossly exaggerated. I would support Laszlo's suggestion of visiting Malaita. I also like Gela (much closer to Honiara), Ysabel (less developed and touristy) and Temotu (where I hope to return later this year). However, you need to allow at least a week layover for delayed planes. If you are interested in rural Malaita, send me a PM and I will send contact details for a local tour guide based in Auki, who can take you to seaside or rural villages including artificial islands. Also details of reasonable, locally-owned accommodation in Honiara, and a Honiara-based guide. As for air fares, Honiara Gizo return is $SI1336 ($222 Can. on today's rates). For others go to Solomon Airlines Incidentally, the Anglican Bishop of Malaita is Canadian, based in Auki, and loves to meet his countrymen. | 3
bond 10:03 UTC 27 Mar 2007 | We have just come back form the Solomons with 2 young kids and had no problems what so ever. The people were great, no problems with flights, or any indication of any conflict or tension. Did some kayaking and stayed in the villages in the Western Province. Villages were great and had no issues at all. Good luck. | 4
bhain01 04:44 UTC 28 May 2007 | I to have just returned from over a month in the Solomons most of it in Honiara visiting family (my wife is from S.I.) and I can happily say that any claims by any-one that it is more dangerous now than during the past is uninformed, ignorant garbage. The Australian Government travel advisory is so far from the truth it should start "long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away". We all know to be a little more aware of personal security when overseas and S.I. is no different. The only thing that has changed is that there is a lot of young blokes from the Provinces in Honiara looking for jobs that don't exsist, yet, and they have been getting upto a bit of mischief. Don't walk around Honiara late at night, catch a taxi, and you'll have no troubles. Merimba Night Club has unfortunately closed, (due to a Divorce not any trouble) but it's place has been ably taken by Top Ten (near the Pacific Casino Hotel site). Have fun. | 5